Cooper’s hawks are a major predator of backyard chickens. As backyard chicken keeping grows in popularity, more chicken owners are dealing with hawk attacks on their flock. Cooper’s hawks are agile fliers that can swiftly swoop into a coop or run and grab an unsuspecting chicken. This can be very discouraging and heartbreaking for chicken keepers. However, there are several methods that can be used to reduce Cooper’s hawk attacks and increase the safety of your flock. Being proactive and using multiple protection methods is key to keeping chickens safe.
What is a Cooper’s Hawk?
The Cooper’s hawk is a medium-sized hawk found throughout most of North America. Adults have blue-gray upperparts, reddish barring on the chest, and reddish eyes. The tail is long with dark bands. Cooper’s hawks measure 14 to 20 inches long with a wingspan of 24 to 35 inches. Females are larger than males.
Cooper’s hawks are swift, agile fliers that specialize in hunting mid-sized birds like pigeons, doves, and chickens. They perch and watch for prey from a concealed spot, then launch an attack by flying through dense vegetation to ambush their target. Cooper’s hawks will even attack chickens inside pens and runs by flying low and fast to grab their prey unawares. Backyard chicken flocks with lax protection are vulnerable to Cooper’s hawk predation.
How do Cooper’s Hawks Hunt Chickens?
Cooper’s hawks are stealthy ambush predators that rely on the element of surprise when attacking backyard chickens. Here are some key facts about their hunting strategy:
- Perch and watch – Cooper’s hawks will stealthily perch in trees or other high spots near a coop or run and watch the chickens below.
- Swift attack – When the moment is right, the hawk will launch into a swift, low attack flight straight at the chickens.
- Grab and go – Before chickens realize what’s happening, the hawk will grab a victim with its talons and immediately fly away.
- Aim for head/neck – Cooper’s hawks usually grab the head or neck area of chickens to inflict lethal damage and also carry the weight better.
- Use cover – These hawks use vegetation, buildings, etc as cover during their attack to avoid detection.
- Element of surprise – Their swift, surprise attacks give chickens little time to react and escape.
Knowing how Cooper’s hawks hunt can help you understand why certain protective measures like overhead netting and enclosed runs are useful. Preventing their preferred ambush strategy is key to protecting your flock.
What Times are Chickens Most Vulnerable?
Cooper’s hawks are most active during daylight hours which overlaps with the time backyard chickens are out of the coop and exposed. Here are some times when chickens are especially vulnerable:
- Early morning – Hawks may spy on chickens releasing from a coop and attack.
- Morning/afternoon free-ranging – Chickens out grazing in the yard are vulnerable.
- Evening door closing – Hawks may target chickens returning to the coop at dusk.
- Poor weather – Lulls in wind/rain provide good hawk hunting opportunities.
- Feeding time – Chickens gathered together eating are an easy target.
It’s important to be extra vigilant about hawk protection during these high risk times. Use proactive measures so your chickens aren’t taken by surprise.
What are the Signs of Cooper’s Hawks in Your Area?
Knowing the activity patterns and signs of Cooper’s hawks in your area can help alert you to an increased threat level. Here are some clues that Cooper’s hawks may be present near your flock:
- Seeing or hearing a Cooper’s hawk – Visual/audio sightings confirm their presence.
- Missing chickens – An sudden loss of chickens may indicate hawk predation.
- Feathers scattered around – Hawks pluck chickens after catching them, leaving feathers.
- Chicken remains – You may find chewed up chicken body parts left behind.
- Dead chickens – Sometimes hawks kill more chickens than they eat.
- Scared/alert chickens – Your flock appearing extra alert and fearful can signal a nearby hawk threat.
- Changed chicken behavior – Chickens suddenly hesitant to leave coop or stay under cover.
Paying close attention to your chickens’ behavior patterns and any sightings of hawks can give you an idea of the threat level and help guide your protection methods. Never ignore the signals.
What are the Best Methods to Deter Cooper’s Hawks?
Using multiple protective measures that deter Cooper’s hawks is the most effective strategy for reducing attacks on your flock. Every flock and property is different, so choose a combination that fits your specific situation. Here are some of the best hawk deterrent options:
Overhead Netting
Installing overhead netting over your run and certain areas of the yard is one of the most effective hawk deterrents. The web-like netting prevents hawks from being able to swoop down from above to grap chickens. Look for netting with openings of 1 inch or less to exclude most raptors. Securely install at least 6 to 8 feet above ground. Overhead nets can be pricey but provide long-term protection.
Fully Enclosed Coops and Runs
Coops and runs that are fully enclosed with wire over the top and sides don’t allow hawks access to chickens. Use 1-inch poultry netting or wire and bury it at least 12 inches underground to prevent digging. Roof the run with wire, not tarp which can be ripped. Door and window openings should be small enough to exclude entry. Make sure pop doors shut securely at night.
Thorns and Prickly Plants
Using thorny, prickly plants as protective barriers around the run and coop can discourage hawk attacks. They may avoid flying through prickly vegetation to reach chickens. Try surrounding the area with brambles, blackberries, pyracantha bushes, rose bushes or other prickly plants as a natural barrier. Place planters with rose bush sticks or cut thorny branches around the top of the run.
Scare Devices
Auditory and visual scare devices that activate by motion sensors can frighten away Cooper’s hawks from an area. Place them near the coop, run and free-range area and move them periodically so hawks don’t become accustomed. Devices like hawk effigies, reflective objects, or recordings of hawk alarm calls may work initially but need reinforcement.
Supervision during Free-Ranging
If possible, directly supervise your flock while free-ranging in the yard. Your presence may discourage hawk attacks. Stay alert for any hawk activity. Have a plan to rapidly run birds into a protected area if needed. Limit range areas near brushy cover where hawks hide and perch. Free-range in open areas of the yard only when possible.
Remove Bird Feeders
Bird feeders attract wild birds that Cooper’s hawks prey on naturally. Removing feeders eliminates this extra food source and may discourage hawks from lingering near your flock searching for prey.
Range Rotation
Rotating your chickens through different range areas doesn’t allow hawks to become accustomed to their daily location. Move the coop, run and range routine every few days. Set up mobile pens or fencing to create new protected spaces.
Increase Shelter and Cover
Providing ample places for chickens to take shelter and hide may reduce hawk attacks. Add brush piles, small shelters, vine tangles and hiding places throughout the run and yard so chickens can evade by running for cover. This forces the hawk to become entangled in cover and can allow the chickens time to escape. Roosting bushes are also helpful.
Guardian Animals
Some livestock guardian animals like dogs, donkeys and llamas can deter hawks from the area and alert you to an attack. Get appropriate breeds known to be attentive and guard poultry specifically. Proper socialization and training is needed for success. Supervise their introduction to your flock.
Agriland Repellent
There are commercial hawk repellent gel products like Agriland that can be applied around the perimeter of your coop, run and range area. It makes these areas uncomfortable for hawks and other predators to lurk. Reapply every 30-45 days as directed. Can be used in conjunction with other methods.
How can I make my chickens less vulnerable?
In addition to external protections, you can take some measures to make your flock less vulnerable and attractive to hawks:
- Eliminate hiding spots for hawks by trimming brush and clearing dense vegetation near the coop and runs.
- Use low-profile chicken feeders and water stations that don’t block their view of the surroundings.
- Feed chickens in an enclosed, protected area not out in the open.
- Use feed in hanging cans covered by PVC tubes that chickens enter from below.
- Let chickens range only in groups, not separated where hawks target individuals.
- Train chickens to run into the coop or other shelter for safety when called.
- Keep them in a fully-covered run if hawk attacks persist.
Reducing vulnerability factors while also using physical deterrents is an effective two-pronged approach.
What are the Best Chicken Breeds for Avoiding Hawks?
Some chicken breeds exhibit behaviors and characteristics that may reduce their risk of hawk predation compared to others:
Light Brahmas
These large chickens are difficult for hawks to carry. Their fluffy feathering also disrupts a hawk’s grip during capture attempts. They tend to be calm and docile.
Cochins
Also a larger bird with abundant plumage that creates problems for hawks trying to grab them. Their calm and gentle nature can be an advantage.
Orpingtons
Another heavy, dual purpose breed. Their large size combined with being alert and active makes them less vulnerable to hawks. Orpingtons are not easily caught.
Dominiques
Medium-sized and exceptionally alert, Dominiques can detect predators early and give warning calls to the flock. Their barred plumage pattern may also blend in and provide camouflage.
Barred Rocks
Barred feathering helps them blend into woodland surroundings. Barred Rocks are active foragers that remain in motion watching for danger. Their medium-heavy weight is more of a challenge for hawks to grab and lift.
Rhode Island Reds
This active breed stays on the move while foraging. Alert and observant, they often sound alarm calls when danger is spotted. Their medium-heavy weight requires more effort from a hawk.
However, no breed is fully hawk-proof. Using protective deterrents along with breeds adept at spotting and avoiding predators is a good approach. Avoid flighty breeds that panic and scatter which can trigger the hawk’s prey drive.
Can trapping and relocating hawks help?
Trapping and relocating problem hawks as a non-lethal method generally provides only a temporary solution. Here’s some considerations:
- Very difficult/near impossible for amateurs to trap hawks humanely and safely. Should be left to wildlife professionals.
- Usually requires permits from your state wildlife agency to handle and transport hawks.
- Trapped hawks must be quickly relocated often over 100 miles away or they may return.
- Relocated hawks may have poor survival outcomes due to competition with other hawks over resources in the new area.
- Removal creates a territory vacuum quickly filled by another hawk. Ongoing trapping of new hawks is required.
- Better to use preventive deterrents to convince specific hawks your flock is not a viable food source.
Overall, relocation does not address the long-term root cause, can harm hawks, and is extremely labor intensive. Precautionary deterrent methods tend to be much more successful for protecting chickens.
Is shooting hawks an effective solution?
Shooting problem hawks is controversial and not an effective long-term solution:
- In the U.S., hawks are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Shooting them is punishable by fines and imprisonment.
- Some states may allow shooting of specific hawks only with special permits from wildlife agencies.
- Indiscriminate shooting of hawks is unethical and harmful to healthy hawk populations.
- Removal of one hawk often leads to increased competition and replacement by other hawks in the territory.
- Without preventive deterrents in place, shooting hawks brings only temporary relief with another hawk soon taking its place.
- Non-lethal protective measures tend to provide much better and longer-lasting benefits compared to shooting hawks.
Shooting hawks should always be an absolute last resort. Effective non-lethal methods that humanely convince hawks your flock is not a food source is the preferred solution that brings lasting results.
How do you treat a chicken if it survives a hawk attack?
Occasionally individual chickens do survive a hawk attack. If this happens, here are some steps to treat the bird’s injuries:
- Isolate the injured chicken from the flock to prevent pecking by other birds.
- Carefully examine the chicken for puncture wounds, lacerations and any broken bones.
- Stop severe bleeding by applying pressure with a clean towel.
- Clean wounds gently with dilute antiseptic solution to prevent infection.
- Apply antibiotic ointment to wounds and cuts after cleaning.
- Bandage injured areas if possible to keep clean.
- Give pain reliever like children’s ibuprofen if wounds are very painful.
- Monitor for normal eating, drinking, droppings, activity for several days.
- Continue applying antibiotic ointment and change bandages daily.
- Separate until fully healed to prevent re-injury from flockmates.
With supportive care, many chickens can recover fully even from severe hawk attacks. Just isolate, clean and monitor wounds carefully in the aftermath. Having a well-stocked first aid kit for such emergencies is a must.
Summary of Key Protective Measures
Here’s a quick summary checklist of effective protective measures to deter Cooper’s hawks and prevent attacks:
- Install overhead netting over coops, runs and outdoor range areas
- Use fully-enclosed coops and run areas
- Plant thorny, prickly bushes and shrubs as protective barriers
- Employ auditory/visual scare devices around the coop perimeter
- Directly supervise free-ranging flock
- Remove outdoor bird feeders
- Use range rotation instead of fixed ranging spaces
- Provide shelters and hiding places throughout the range
- Use guardian animals suited to poultry if possible
- Apply special hawk repellent gel around coop and range
Using as many deterrents as feasible for your situation will provide overlapping protection for your flock. Don’t allow hawks to establish easy chicken prey patterns. Consistent prevention is key.
Conclusion
Cooper’s hawks are formidable predators of backyard chickens. But there are many effective options available to deter them and convince these hawks to move on in search of easier prey. Overhead netting, enclosed housing, motion-activated devices, guardian animals, and active supervision when ranging are examples of Non-lethal measures that alter the cost/benefit equation and make predation attempts more difficult and risky. Applied diligently, these can successfully protect a flock with minimal losses while allowing you to enjoy your chickens. With a bit of creativity and investment, coexisting with hawks is very achievable. Don’t become discouraged by predation pressures. Work to alter the habitat and conditions to make your flock less appealing prey. This removes the rewards hawks seek and drives them away in search of easier targets.