Red Tailed Hawks.....and now Bald Eagles!

[RaeRae2]

We have had a terrible hawk problem forever. Over the years we have lost quite a few hens to the hawks. Having roosters in the flock has made no difference. So they have to be locked up most of the time and only let out when we are out around the barn supervising.

So if that wasn't bad enough, now on TWO ocassions, I have seen Bald Eagles in my horse pasture, just yards away from my chickens. A wild hen turkey setting on eggs was killed by the hay combine so the Eagles were coming in to eat the carcass. Then I wathced an Eagle kill a rabbit right next to my barn.

Will my poor chickens EVER be able to free range again???

The good news is that the Eagles keep the Hawks run off! So at least I don't have both to deal with both at the same time. But I'm worried about my cats too with the Eagles there.

One of our cats had huge puncture holes in her back with all the hair missing, and she was in a LOT of pain. She lived and is fine now, but I think it was an Eagle that tried to take her.

There is a Bald Eagle nesting sanctuary 15 miles away from my house so that's why we see so many Eagles here. Beautiful, majestic birds, but COME ON. I didn't need ANOTHER predator!

 

[bnjrob]

Now that is a dilemma! Sheesh - and the cat too????!!!!! Somebody said that they had put up the owl "scarecrows" and that had been keeping the hawks away. Wonder if it would help get the eagles to back off?

 

[Oregon Blues]

Have the eagles actually bothered your birds?

They fly over my house every day, and have been as close as 7 feet over the ground. They've never bothered my birds. They simply aren't interested.

I can see how a cat might get mistaken for a rabbit. It might have been the eagle, it might not. Probably not. I suspect if an eagle wanted your cat, the cat would have been dead.

Can you free range? It doesn't sound like it to me, unless you can tolerate a lot of losses.

You must be out in the country to have eagles. Learn to enjoy being out there and enjoy seeing the eagles. You don't have a lot of other options and many people would give a lot just to be able to see a live eagle. Consider it a treat. (can't change the eagles, so change your attitude.)

 

[darin367]

it's a constant battle..... i've lost 6-8 cats in 12 years to coons and eagles, i've never lost a chicken to an eagle but did lose a few 2 month old pullets to hawks, i've lost my entire flock of 18 to coons............ i had to give up free range,....secure coop n small run with a pop door into a 30x50 run covered with bird netting and 4 ft fencing..when critters start showing up they stay on the secure side....... haven't had anymore hawk attacks since the netting went up.. i keep a live trap set 24/7 and get an occasional coon, possum, weasel....i throw the game cam out now n then just to see who's testing my defense........ the bottom line is you are at war..... so set the traps, load the guns, strengthen your defense...... good luck...

 

[Mattemma]

I am suprised cats get taken. I figured they would put up a nasty fight like the squirrels that are crazy biters. Figured predators would go for the easier stuff like rabbits and chickens.

 

[mstricer]

Bald eagles are on the come back now that we are not poisoning them any more. I am seeing a lot here in Ohio.

 

[Gersbud]

I have seen a few around my house also. I actually seen a bald eagle swoop down to take my goose (decoy). That would have been a very unappealing meal. I let my chickens out but I do have to watch them. I have also noticed that with the Baldy around the hawks seem to have disappeared for the time being.

But really don't know what to do about the eagle though

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

I keep geese in the chicken yard, the only hawk that gets a chicken is a very crafty Cooper's Hawk, he a sneak. but only go's after the banty's, luckily. I have Eagle's, red tails, an unidentified very lg hawk (could be a young eagle) and at least 3 very lg great horned owl. (who are stupid enough to go after 5 40lb turkeys, the owl lost most of his feathers that night LOL). the Geese will keep out all but the Cooper's. so the banty's are in an outside pen the the hawk can not get in. You need to figure out the hawks pattern, for me the Coopers only hunt early morning or between Noon and 3, here, so no little birds out then. I do loose a bird now and then but its the way of the world and I live with it, and learn how to stop it next time.