The Poultry Keeper The Independent Forum for Poultry Keepers    FAQ   Search     Register   Log in  predators Goto page 1, 2  Next          The Poultry Keeper Forum Index -> Pests and Predators Author Message lynx73 Joined: 15 Sep 2008 Posts: 5 Location: southampton Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 1:53 pm    Post subject: predators We now have a Sparrow Hawk killing wood pigions ( & they ain't small) 2-3 times a week in the garden, does anyone know if they go for chickens, i was gonna free range mine when I get them but I'm worried i might have to contain them now It's quite brave too, as last night it sat outside the kitchen window whilst we stood at the door watching it. I wont do anything which will scare wild birds of any sort out of the garden, so nice suggestions only please. Back to top Big D Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 361 Location: Cumbria Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 2:02 pm    Post subject: According to Google they can kill chickens slightly bigger than themselves Netting or a big bl**dy gun me thinks Back to top lynx73 Joined: 15 Sep 2008 Posts: 5 Location: southampton Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 2:12 pm    Post subject: no shooting So I need to buy HUGE hens is what you're saying. P.S. Nice suggestions I said, I save the gun for the Bl**dy cats. I wish Hawks would take them instead. Back to top MamaPacker Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 322 Location: Essex UK - Sarfend Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 2:48 pm    Post subject: Dress the hens up in tiger costumes.... this will put the hawk off!! Yes I should get out more.... lol Back to top mojo Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 10986 Location: GLENAY north deux sevre FRANCE Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 3:32 pm    Post subject: humming threads across your garden(like they use to keepp pigeonsoff).tall bamboo canes set in the ground at 45 % with a old cd hanging from top(doesnt even have to be a music cd....free join the internet do too) but my best method is kids plastic windmills in metallic colours on bamboo canes..............and then when all else fails netting.............even joking about shooting raptors will get you in hot water Back to top Henwife Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3540 Location: Monmouthshire Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 5:20 pm    Post subject: On the whole I can keep buzzards off with hanging CDs. The goshawk is less worried by them, but the chicken usually run for cover first. they are chasers, so the chicken don't always win. Sparrow hawks go for pigeon which are easier prey and have, to date, left the fowl alone. As I keep both bantams and LF, I'd say only a desperate sparrow hawk would attempt one. The largest bird I've lost to the Buzzards is a year old LF Marans, to the goshawk, a half grown Oddlot cockerel. Back to top mojo Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 10986 Location: GLENAY north deux sevre FRANCE Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 4:16 pm    Post subject: and if you change the cd postion every so often that helps too Back to top Stujan Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 465 Location: East Sussex Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 7:23 pm    Post subject: Oh my gawd!!! birds cats guns !!!!!!!! I'm keeping out of this one ,lol Back to top Stujan Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 465 Location: East Sussex Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 7:31 pm    Post subject: As Mojo says , change the cd position , I find leaving them on repeat play really p*sses them off ! Back to top Elly Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 356 Location: Norfolk Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 7:58 pm    Post subject: Big D wrote: According to Google they can kill chickens slightly bigger than themselves Netting or a big bl**dy gun me thinks I'm pretty sure they are a protected species It is said that a sparrowhawk is a good sign of plenty of birds If the bird population goes down, so does the sparrowhawk population. If the bird population rises, so does the sparrowhawk population. It's natures way at its finest If you do a google search you'll find loads of ideas on ways to deter them from your garden Keep smilin Elly Back to top Big D Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 361 Location: Cumbria Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:28 pm    Post subject: You're right a big bl**dy gun is an environmentally unsound solution. So just hit it with a big bl**dy stick Back to top nigel Moderator Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 2500 Location: Skåne, Sweden Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 6:09 am    Post subject: we have a sparrowhawk that regularly strafes the garden and has never bothered then hens not even the chicks. He'd rather have pigeons and jackdaws Back to top Elly Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 356 Location: Norfolk Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 12:36 pm    Post subject: Big D wrote: You're right a big bl**dy gun is an environmentally unsound solution. So just hit it with a big bl**dy stick And get yourself a hefty fine our a go at prison food Sorry, but they are just doing what nature designed them to do Protect your birds and then enjoy watching the sparrowhawks amazing abilities Keep smilin Elly Back to top lynx73 Joined: 15 Sep 2008 Posts: 5 Location: southampton Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 4:16 pm    Post subject: thanks for advice couldn't get tiger costumes to fit- thanks for sound advice though. Will go for windmills on sticks i think, & the odd cd, (as opposed to a normal cd). AND NO - I STILL WILL NOT KILL THEM, BIRDS OF PREY ARE TOO BEAUTIFUL. Ta all xx Lynx73 Back to top Elly Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 356 Location: Norfolk Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 6:09 pm    Post subject: Re: thanks for advice lynx73 wrote: AND NO - I STILL WILL NOT KILL THEM, BIRDS OF PREY ARE TOO BEAUTIFUL. Ta all xx Lynx73 Great to hear They really are stunning birds and a good sign of a good breeding season for other birds Keep smilin Elly Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First         The Poultry Keeper Forum Index -> Pests and Predators All times are GMT + 1 Hour Goto page 1, 2  Next Page 1 of 2 Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group