How to Protect your Backyard Chickens from Hawks

Everything wants to eat your chickens, especially the “chicken hawk.” So how do you protect your backyard chickens from hawks?

There is a ton of construction going on around us. The field mice and opossum are more active, which I think brings the hawks.

It would be great if the hawks would just take care of the mice and leave our chickens alone, but each year we’ve lost one chick to a hawk and last year, one tried to get Trudy. 

Hang Shiny Objects 

We’ve used old CDs and purchased the NiteGuard Reflective Tape. They both work well. The CD works by reflecting the sunlight. The reflective tape works the same way but not only does it shine light but it also makes a rustling sound. Sometimes it even startles me. 

The bright light is confusing to the hawks and if you hang several together it gives the appearance of a lot of activity, deterring the hawk. 

Add a Black Chicken to your Flock 

Hawks may mistake a black chicken as a crow. Crows and hawks are natural enemies. The crow will mob the hawks to drive them away from their territory. Because of this, hawks will avoid crows. To try and attract crows, we put bird feed and peanuts in the front yard. 

Marble is a Barred Plymouth Rock but I’m not sure she has enough black on her to fool a hawk. I’m definitely going to add an Australorp to our flock in the future. What a great excuse to get another chicken or two!

Run Fishing Line

After our sweet Trudy was attacked, the Bearded Rooster ran finishing line over the entrance to the coop and into part of the garden. He crissed-crossed it so if a hawk swooped down it would get tangled up in it. Some say the hawk can see the line and will avoid it. 

You could also add poultry netting, but depending on the size of the area, it could be a little costly. I think the fishing line, also a little more work involved, it a good alternative. 

Add a Livestock Guardian to Protect your Backyard Chickens from Hawks

One of the best things we did was add a Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD). Sugar has been the best dog. LGD’s mainly work at night when most predators are active. But when she’s asleep in the yard, her large presence is intimidating. 

Training a LGD to protect your chickens can take a little time. It’s not a quick fix unless you can find one that’s been raised with chickens. Chickens are flighty and look like play toys. Sugar has gone through a period of chasing them but has never once tried to harm them. We gently corrected her and she would go back to running the yard. 

Her instincts as a protector are so strong. It was noticeable from the first day we got her. She was eight weeks old and we started training her with the chickens right away. 

Give Them Places to Hide 

We have several obstacles in our backyard. We strategically placed our lawn furniture so the birds could run and hide under it. Additionally, we have red tip bushes along the fence line that they like to hide out in.

Another random bush (weed) pooped up at the edge of our deck so we left it. On a hot day, the chickens like to hang out in and under it. 

I’ve also heard of people placing pallets on bricks or cinder blocks in their yard to offer a place for chickens to hide under. Another option is to cut a 55-gallon barrel in half and lay in your yard. 

Chickens’ eyes work independently. So as they are out scratching and looking for bugs, one eye will be scanning the area for danger. Trudy, who’s our top hen, has taken on the role of a rooster. If she feels there is danger, she sounds the alarm and all the girls find shelter. 

So how do you know if your chicken’s been attacked by a hawk. 

If a hawk attacks your flock, normally the only evidence left behind will be feathers. The hawk will swoop down and stab their prey with their sharp talons, usually killing the animal on impact. Then they will carry your bird off to a safe place to eat. 

When Trudy was attacked, I think she was too heavy to be carried off. She did have puncture wounds on her back but luckily she survived (she’s secretly my favorite). 

If you are in a town or city that allows roosters, you should consider adding one to your flock. They will fight to the death to protect their girls. 

The only foolproof way to protect your chickens from hawks is an enclosed run.  With the additional things we’ve put in place, we still let our girls free range from sun up to sundown. In addition to pest control in the yard, the girls are more active, healthy and happy and they reward us with an abundance of delicious eggs. 

Is there anything else you do to protect your backyard chickens from hawks? I’m always looking for tips and tricks.