If I am in the backyard with my chickens, will hawks still attack them?
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Question by chapperz: If I am in the backyard with my chickens, will hawks still attack them?
I’m getting some chickens very soon, and I would love to let them free range during the day while I’m gardening or doing homework in the backyard, but I’m not sure if I would scare hawks away. I would hate for my babies to get eaten by hawks, but I feel like running around a bit would be very good for them.
What do you think? Answer below!
3 Responses to If I am in the backyard with my chickens, will hawks still attack them?
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Nope.
Raptors aren’t that stupid *&* have plenty of easier quarry.
DOGS will….cats….cars…humans.
Turning brainless birds loose is begging for trouble.
Never heard of a fence?
Elaine
December 26, 2011 at 3:39 pm
Yes. Definitely. You can build a moveable free-range pen for them. I know a farmer who has a couple. It is quite large and made of 2 inch strips of wood with walls and roof made of chicken wire.
when they want to let the chickens out, they bring out this large cage and put the chickens inside all day. They will forage on the insects and grubs inside while being safe from the hawks or other predators.
yada5yada6
December 26, 2011 at 3:45 pm
The hawks shouldn’t bother the chickens while you are out there-talk about the perfect scarecrow! Sorry Elaine, but Cooper’s, Sharp-shinned, Red-tailed and other hawks will take chickens, though this is rare but it does happen. You probably don’t need to do anything unless you actually see a hawk take one.
Most problems can be solved by keeping the chickens under netting or in a coop if you see a hawk perched nearby, and it is ok to spook the hawk (just walking under the tree is usually enough-though clapping and squirting near the bird with a hose will work). Don’t harass the hawk if it has a nest though-this would be illegal.
I would be more concerned about small mammal predators like neighborhood cats and dogs, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, etc.
Snickerdoodle
December 26, 2011 at 4:26 pm