Deterring Hawks?

[astutebunny]

I have a portable ark for my girls that I move around the yard about once a week so that they could be treated to fresh grass and bugs. Occasionally I let them out of the run altogether so they can have free-range of the yard. Well about a week and a half ago I spotted three hawks (don't ask what kind because I have no clue) squawking away in the trees lining our yard. So I've kept them in the ark for awhile. Last night I checked the sky and the trees, thought it was safe and let the girls out for awhile. Not five minutes pass when I heard a squawk and spotted a hawk! It was perched in a pine at the edge of the yard focused on my birds. I tried russling up my girls and getting them back to the ark but it had been a week or more since they were last out and they were fussy and keep scattering. I was scared out of my mind that the hawk would pick off one of them while they were busy running from me - not a care in the world. Finally my sister came out to help & the hawk flew off and I was about to round up the girls and get them back to the ark.

I'm afraid that this is going to happen every time I try to let my girls out. How do I frighten hawks away so the my girls can dirt-bathe and do all the other things that they love? Sling-shot? - not that my aim is great - Bullhorn? - I'm sure the neighbors would love that - Bottle-rockets? - again the whole aim concern+neighbors -

I'm at a loss. Any advise would be great. Cause while they are fine and safe in their ark, I know they love to get out once and awhile and I hate to deprive them of that.

 

[Uppity Peon]

Shiny reflective things are supposed to scare or confuse hawks. People use foil baking tins, mylar baloons and CDs to try to keep them away. I have a bunch of CDs on top of my chicken run netting and around here the wild birds are constantly harassing any hawks that come by.

I hope that helps.

 

[chickensioux]

Quote:
Those garden reflectin balls work too. Hawks also don't like moving things so I have a small windmill in my chicken yard.

Large dogs, goats, turkey also deter hawks.....just a thought. I have a turkey that does the job.

 

[Chicky Tocks]

Airhorn...

One of those pump em up high pressure far shooting water guns found in the toy department.

 

[FarmrGirl]

Try these:
1) Shiny things: hang plant baskets w/a mirror close to the size of the bottom of the basket, put several around the area you're trying to protect.
2) Attracting crows & Stellar's jays may help.
3) Geese & Turkeys are supposed to be very effective at deterring raptors from a hen yard.
4) String fishing line very taut overhead at close enough intervals to foul their wings (works really well & is the least obnoxious to humans

).
5) More shiny things: hang blank CD's in the area you're trying to protect.
6) Check out this guide: http://icwdm.org/handbook/birds/HawksOwls.asp

Good luck... I love to look at the hawks because they're beautiful but I really wish they'd stop messing with my ducks.

I found 2 of my Muscovy girls in the last 4 days with their feathers plucked out and the skin on the back of their neck totally gone. But the girls were still alive! They'd walked back into the duck barn to be with their flock. So very, horribly sad. I had to put them out of their misery but I feel terrible that they suffered so much. That hawk better make sure he stays out of my sight!

 

[bakerjw]

I've seen it mentioned on the forums where hawk decoys will work. Hawks apparently don't like intruding on another hawks territory. It sounds reasonable.

 

[eilinda]

A 250 watt aircraft landing light pointed directly vertical is what has worked for us in stopping attacks from hawks.
Red tailed hawks are often spotted soaring overhead, they work the fields all around us regularly, but since installing the light about a year ago we've hadn't had an attack.

Some had suggested to us that we should phase out our more timid Hubbard Golden Comets for Rhode Island or New Hampshire Reds which are more attuned to danger from the sky and if attacked will at least put up a fight where the Golden Comets simply crouch down.
We like the Golden Comets for their productivity and the gentle "unflighty" nature, the light has allowed us peace of mind (so far) that we don't need to be watching the hawks like a hawk.

A switch is operated when the door to the outside is opened so the light is on whenever the chickens have access to the outside.

The principle (not scientific) is the bright light has a camouflaging effect rendering the area beneath the radius of the light essentially invisible to the hawks (or perhaps just annoyingly bright).
A similar principle was used in WWII to camouflage aircraft in daytime coming directly at a target.

Bright automobile headlights ought to provide the same effect, auto headlights would have the advantage of being powered by a common car battery or a 12 volt charger or a 12ac transformer. Wonder how hawks would like those annoying intense bluish zenon lights such as those from on coming cars that blind you at night.

 

[somadlyinlove]

Thanks for the info, Lost a banty yesterday to a small hawk.