Quick Answer
Yes, red tail hawks can and do eat chickens. Red tail hawks are powerful birds of prey that hunt small mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Chickens, especially smaller breeds, are well within the size range of prey a red tail hawk can kill and carry off. Red tail hawks are opportunistic hunters and will prey on easily available food sources like backyard chickens. Chicken owners need to be vigilant about protecting their flocks from predation by hawks and other birds of prey.
Do Red Tail Hawks Eat Chickens?
Red tail hawks are capable of hunting and eating chickens due to the following factors:
Size and Power
Red tail hawks are large, powerful raptors. They have wingspans of around 4 feet and can weigh between 1.5-3.5 lbs as adults. This size gives them the strength and weight to swoop down, strike, and carry off prey as heavy as 3-4 lbs, which would include most chicken breeds. Larger roosters and hens may exceed a red tail’s carrying capacity.
Hunting Abilities
These hawks are aerial acrobats. They can dive at speeds over 120 mph to strike prey with their large, sharp talons. Red tails have excellent eyesight to spot potential prey from high vantage points. Once gripped in the hawk’s talons, the prey item rarely escapes. The hawk’s strong beak is used for tearing prey into pieces for eating.
Opportunistic Feeders
Red tails are intelligent, flexible hunters. They will pursue any small to medium sized prey they encounter opportunistically in their habitat range. Although they prefer rodents and lagomorphs (rabbits, hares) for food, red tails will readily hunt birds when available. Chickens wandering in backyards make for easy pickings compared to faster wild birds.
Overlap with Human Settlements
Red tail hawks adapt well to living in diverse habitats including woods, deserts, and human developed areas. They often nest and hunt near farms, ranches, suburbs, and cities where chickens may be kept. This overlap and availability leads the hawks to swoop in for an easy chicken dinner.
What Chickens Can Red Tails Hunt?
The size and mass of the chicken determines if a red tail can successfully hunt and carry it off. Here are some examples:
Small Breeds: Yes
Bantam chickens, silkies, Babydoll Southdown chickens weighing under 4 lbs are well within red tail capability to grab, lift and fly away with.
Medium Breeds: Maybe
For moderately sized chickens like Australorps, Orpingtons, Wyandottes in the 5-7 lb range, a red tail could potentially hunt adults but more likely would go after chicks and juveniles.
Large Breeds: No
Big chicken breeds like Jersey Giants, Brahmas, Cochins weighing 8+ lbs exceed the lift capacity for a red tail. But chicks and young birds could still be vulnerable.
Roosters: Rarely
Adult standard size roosters are typically too big and powerful for a red tail to attack. But bantam roosters and younger adolescent cockerels could be within range.
| Chicken Size | Red Tail Prey Potential |
|---|---|
| Bantams | Yes |
| Silkies | Yes |
| Small Breeds | Yes |
| Medium Breeds | Maybe |
| Large Breeds | No |
| Roosters | Rarely |
Do Red Tails Eat Chickens Often?
The frequency of red tails preying on chickens depends on these factors:
Availability of Natural Prey
In areas with plentiful small mammal and bird populations, red tails may hunt chickens less often, opting for easier natural prey like mice, voles, rabbits, squirrels and wild game birds. Areas with reduced natural habitat and prey can lead hawks to chicken coops.
Accessibility of Chickens
Backyard chickens that are uncovered, unconfined, or have access to larger spaces are more vulnerable to hawk attacks. Chickens in securely enclosed coops and runs are less accessible. Free ranging chickens are at high risk.
Individual Hawk Behavior
Some red tails may become habitual backyard chicken hunters, returning to pick off birds repeatedly. Others may prey on poultry opportunistically. Removing threatening hawks may be necessary.
Time of Year
Red tails may target chickens more often in winter when natural prey is scarcer. In spring and summer small mammals are abundant. But they may hunt chickens to feed nestlings in summer.
| Factor | Chicken Hunting Frequency |
|---|---|
| Natural Prey Availability | Lower |
| Chicken Accessibility | Higher |
| Individual Hawk Behavior | Varies |
| Time of Year | Winter peak |
Red Tail Hunting Behavior with Chickens
Here are some patterns seen in how red tails attack and take chickens:
Perching and Scanning
A red tail will often perch on an elevated vantage point like a tree branch, pole, or roof to watch for potential prey. They may study chicken activity and movements to target an opportune moment.
Stalking and Dashing
Red tails sometimes stealthily move along the ground from cover to cover to get closer to chickens. They may hide behind objects, tall grass, or shrubs to mask their approach before bursting out and pouncing.
Surprise Aerial Attack
The hawk’s preferred method is to strike from above, speeding down and extending its talons at the last moment to take the chicken by surprise. They may land on the ground to gain a footing on the prey before lifting it.
Carrying Off Whole
If the chicken is small enough, the red tail will grasp it in its talons and fly off with the entire body to a feeding perch. They may pluck and eat it whole.
Plucking Before Carrying
For larger chickens, the hawk may start plucking feathers and tearing it apart on the ground before carrying pieces off in its talons once light enough to lift.
Red Tail Talon Injuries to Chickens
The talons of red tails can inflict severe injuries:
Broken Bones
The intense strikes and pressure of the hawk talons often lead to broken wings and leg bones, damaged hip joints, and fractured pelvises. This leaves the chicken unable to escape.
Lacerations
The talons pierce and claw the chicken’s skin causing deep cuts, tearing, and external bleeding leaving the bird in trauma.
Internal Organ Damage
Not only skin and bones take damage. The spinal cord, digestive organs, and internal blood vessels can be ruptured leading to paralysis, organ failure, and heavy internal bleeding.
Shock
The traumatic injuries, pain, blood loss, and stress of a hawk attack throws the chicken’s system into life threatening shock. This causes uncontrollable trembling, paralysis, collapse, coma and eventual death.
| Talon Injury | Description |
|---|---|
| Broken Bones | Fractured wings, legs, pelvis |
| Lacerations | Deep skin and tissue cuts |
| Internal Organ Damage | Ruptured organs and blood vessels |
| Shock | Trembling, collapse, coma |
Preventing Chicken Predation From Red Tails
Chicken owners have options to reduce attacks:
Enclose Coops and Runs
Fully screened and covered coops and attached runs with wire tops keep hawks out. Chickens should not be left unattended in open spaces.
Limit Free Ranging
Supervise chickens when allowing free range time. Confine chickens when red tails are spotted nearby.
Remove Perches and Cover
Cut down perches like trees and posts near the coop. Remove brush piles and hiding spots in the coop area to discourage hawks.
Use Scare Devices
Motion activated lights, sounds, and predator decoys can help deter red tails. Streamers and reflective ribbons over the coop area can scare them.
Train Chickens
Teach chickens to run into the coop or under cover when given a warning call. This makes them less vulnerable when a hawk attacks.
| Prevention Method | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Enclose Coops and Runs | Keeps hawks out |
| Limit Free Ranging | Less exposure to hawks |
| Remove Perches and Cover | Discourages hawks |
| Use Scare Devices | Deters hawks |
| Train Chickens | Taking cover from hawks |
Is Shooting Hawks Legal?
Rules vary based on state and local laws. Some key considerations:
Federal Laws
Red tail hawks are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Harming or killing them without a permit is illegal.
State and Local Laws
Some states and cities have additional restrictions, while others allow killing problem hawks with proper permits. Check current regulations.
Non-Lethal Hazing
Using noise, lasers or other humane scaring tactics may be allowed. Trapping and relocating hawks may require authorization.
When Lethal Force is Allowed
If a hawk is causing repeat damage and threatening livestock, some states grant individual lethal take permits as a last resort.
Ethical Considerations
Even if legal, killing a protected hawk to save chickens invites ethical questions of human priorities and humane alternatives like better enclosures.
| Legality Issue | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Federal Laws | MBTA protects red tails |
| State and Local Laws | Vary in allowing lethal hawk control |
| Non-Lethal Hazing | More accepted than killing hawks |
| Lethal Permits | As last resort for problem hawks |
| Ethical Considerations | Alternatives may be preferred |
Conclusion
Red tail hawks are capable of preying on chickens due to their size, power, talons and hunting skills. Smaller chicken breeds are very vulnerable, while large fowl and adult roosters are generally safe. How often chickens are targeted depends on availability of natural prey, accessibility of the chickens, individual hawk behavior, and time of year. Chicken owners have options like protective enclosures, supervision, deterrents and training chickens to take cover to prevent hawk predation losses. Before considering any harmful action against a hawk, check current laws and regulations as well as humane alternatives. With proper precautions, conflicts can often be avoided allowing both red tail hawks and backyard chickens to thrive together.
