How to Deter Cooper's Hawk, Oregon

[Lady of McCamley]

We appear to have caught the interest of a Cooper's Hawk.

This is the 2nd evening in a row that what I am pretty sure appears to be a Cooper's Hawk has checked out the backyard. (We've done the bird id thing on the internet, and because it is suburban area, we think it is most likely the Cooper's Hawk vs. the Sharp-Shinned Hawk. The hawk is about the size of our 5 month old pullets. We have 17 birds ranging from older hens to 5 month old pullets, varying full size breeds.

First evening he/she was seen on the ground but then flew to a nearby tree when my daughter went out to scare it away. This evening we heard chickens squawking and running in a panic, and when my daughter checked it out, she saw the hawk again, about the same time (7:30 pm). Again, my daughter was able to shoo it away and of course immediately locked up the hens.

Fortunately no chickens seem harmed.

I am keeping them in the chicken-wire enclosed hen house/run for the next couple of days.

Ideas how to discourage this hawk permanently?

I am located in NW Oregon in a suburban area, so I can't do anything really aggressive with this bird. Only legal suggestions please.

Thanks
Lady of McCamley

 

[wvtim]

Coopers Hawks have been my single most devasting chicken killer. The only positive is that they are too small to leave with a full grown chicken , so they have to come back after the kill to eat more .......

 

[Oregon Blues]

Keep your birds in a covered run. Then you don't have to worry about attacks from above.

 

[centrarchid]

Coopers for me is easiest hawk to manage for. A female is capable of taking down a even a standard sized adult chicken but they do not seem to be good strategists. They seem inclined to go after easy victims first. When flock is young, all female, or bantams that means any and all are easy targets. When flock is mixed gender with standard sized fully adult rooster(s), the hawk can still have easy targets but will also have the distraction or even risk imposed by the larger adult males in flock. When Coopers visit and they do, the adult roosters let it know they know it is present by orienting towards hawk and making a ruckus. If Coopers pushes issue and goes after a flock member my adult roosters will attack it usually from behind and if intended victim is a chick, then mother will attack hawk as well. Not all roosters of all chicken breeds are good against Coopers since considerable variation between individuals involved.

I have as many Coopers as anyone but do not suffer losses from them unless I have small juveniles that can be accessed by hawk without inteference from adult chickens or very active dog. I use all three factors to make visits for Coopers unprofitable. You do not have natural social structure working for you so either access denial light suggested by Oregon Blues or even dog could be employed. Covered run cheapest by far if flock small and natural forage not that important.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

I set up a mini-run in the back of the coop with bird netting and wire to give them a little more room than the small run they had and also hung reflective tape.

Did not see the hawk tonight. I'll keep watch. I'm hoping by making this a not profitable hunting ground it will simply move on soon.

Unfortunately roosters are out...legal but I think neighbors might object...don't want to push it. Dog great idea...however lab too old and my Sheltie is great at agility but intimidated by the hens (they chase him!) so I doubt he would lay his life down for them (Great-Great Grandpappy is rolling in his grave back on the Isle)

So I'll just make do with a mini-run, netting, and reflective tape with a watchful eye. I do hope to be able to let them free forage again as I do like the natural food for them.

Thanks again,
Lady of McCamley

 

[MemesChicks]

I'm in rural OC, and have Coopers and Red Tail. I've overlaid my coop with bird nettin (got a big, wide roll at Wilco).