How long will hawk stick around?

[chickmashnoon]

I came home yesterday and there was a huge hawk flying around my run.

It's covered, so that's not such an issue, but I usually let the chickens out on sat and sunday, but I'm nervous the hawk will still be in the area. If he hasn't gotten any food here how long will he stay? I haven't seen him this morning, but of course I'm realllly nervous about letting them out.

I haven't seen any ever around here- is this a seasonal fly-thru? or do hawks stake out a territory and he is here to stay? My poor girls want out!

 

[Nicole01]

Forever! Or so it seems!

We have had 2 different breeds of hawks(pairs) stick around now for the last couple months. One of the red tail pair attacked my neighbors big hen, but the hen was not hurt. Luckily my neighbor was right there when it happened!

 

[Linn Bee]

The hawk may be just migrating through, but I have a family that stays around here all year. So far there has been only one 'encounter'. My 8 YO granddaughter said a huge grey owl landed in the veggie garden near her and my birds.

I suspect it was a hawk. I also suspect it was after a mouse, vole, or shrew rather than my chickens. Still, I do watch the skies when the chickens are out (and I remember).

My B-I-L just got rid of two Cooper's hawks that had taken up residence near his house and spent the day perched on his fence. He set up two owls - one on his garage room and one in a nearby tree. That was the last day he saw the hawks.

He lived in the outskirts of the city and didn't have chickens, however, just a tiny, yapping puppy.

Love, Linn B (aka Smart Red) Gardening zone 5a - 4b in south-est, central-est Wisconsin

 

[MEchickenfarmer33]

When I see a hawk around my house I usually keep my girls shut up because that's why the hawk is sticking around is to get the chickens. So I suggest keeping them closed until you think the hawk is gone. Usually once they realize the chickens have disappeared they usually leave and figure they won't even waist their time.

 

[sourland]

Here in NJ, I have a resident pair of redtails - they cause little trouble. There is also a melanistic redtail that spends most of his time in a dead ash tree across the road at a horse farm. He will make generally unsuccessfully attempts at my pigeons. There is also a male Cooper's hawk who terrorizes the birds at my feeders all winter long. He is deadly against my pigeons. Thankfully he leaves in early May. Hopefully yours is a transient/migratory and will move on in a couple of days.

 

[Mattemma]

I have some that live here year round.Counted 10 over the yard one day.I suggest lots of cover options for the chickens if a run is not possible.I would stay outside with my chickens last year for an hour or so,but it does not really prevent the attacks unless you are right next to them(with a stick!)