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Chicken Support Insights - Episode 41: Hawk Predation and Fall Flock Protection · Valley Hatchery Podcast

• 0:09
  Tina: Hi everyone, welcome back to the Chicken Insights podcast.
• 0:12
  Tina: I'm Tina, and I'm joined by Cortney.
• 0:14
  Tina: Today we're talking about hawk predation and fall flock protection.
• 0:18
  Cortney: As we move into fall, it's a good time to take a closer look at how exposed our flocks are to predators, especially when they're spending time outside.
• 0:27
  Tina: Yeah, we recently asked our social media followers and Valley Hatchery community to share some of the coop setup tricks and ideas they use to help prevent or minimize damage from hawk predation.
• 0:39
  Cortney: And our community came back with some really interesting ideas from overhead barriers and natural covers to different visual deterrents and other ways for people try to make their setup less appealing to hawks.
• 0:52
  Tina: So today we're going to talk through some of those community suggestions and more importantly, how they can fit into a larger flock protection plan.
• 1:00
  Tina: Exactly.
• 1:01
  Tina: Let's get started, Tina.
• 1:02
  Tina: All right.
• 1:03
  Tina: So, Cortney, when it comes to protecting a flock from hawks, what should a flock owner look at first in their coop or run?
• 1:11
  Cortney: Tina, I think the first thing I do is look at the physical setup before adding a bunch of obstacles or something like that.
• 1:18
  Cortney: I'd ask whether your birds have an open area where a hawk can easily get to them, walk around your run and look up, like if you can see through your trees or see is it clear?
• 1:30
  Cortney: I mean, is it a clear flight path?
• 1:32
  Cortney: Places where hawks could easily swoop in or land.
• 1:35
  Cortney: The best long-term solution is really a physical barrier, like full overhead netting or even a roof.
• 1:42
  Cortney: As one of our customers, Danny, said an actual roof.
• 1:46
  Cortney: And honestly, I can't argue with that.
• 1:48
  Cortney: If a full cover isn't possible, some chicken owners use twine or paracord in a cross hatch pattern overhead to disrupt a hawk approach and make the run a little less accessible.
• 2:02
  Cortney: There are community-shared ideas, so they're not guaranteed.
• 2:06
  Cortney: They'll stop every predator, but they may help.
• 2:09
  Cortney: But the main goal is to reduce those easy opportunities for a hawk to access or expose your bird.
• 2:15
  Cortney: So start with the setup, then look at the additional space and things from there.
• 2:20
  Cortney: Your run, like I said, look up, see if there's a clear path and what you can do from there.
• 2:26
  Tina: Yeah, absolutely.
• 2:27
  Tina: That's a good place to start.
• 2:28
  Tina: And if you can address the physical access, you're not depending entirely on a deterrent.
• 2:33
  Cortney: Right.
• 2:34
  Cortney: Yeah.
• 2:34
  Cortney: Look at the run from above can give you a completely different perspective.
• 2:38
  Cortney: Absolutely.
• 2:39
  Cortney: All right.
• 2:40
  Cortney: So what about giving the flock places to get under cover, like when a hawk appears?
• 2:44
  Tina: Yeah, immediate cover inside the outdoor area can make a big difference when a hawk appears.
• 2:50
  Tina: So chickens often have only like a second or a millisecond to react.
• 2:55
  Tina: So a shelter across the yard may be too far away.
• 3:00
  Tina: You know, they're not going to make it over there.
• 3:02
  Tina: And the goal is to give them something they can duck under immediately.
• 3:07
  Tina: It does not have to be elaborate, you know, fancy.
• 3:11
  Tina: It just needs to protect them.
• 3:13
  Tina: A simple pallet table with sturdy legs is an example, a low platform, any raised structure that can create quick protected space underneath.
• 3:22
  Tina: The important part is that it's easy to access from several sides and low enough to provide meaningful overhead protection.
• 3:30
  Tina: Oftentimes, Cortney, as you know, if flock owners should look at their existing run and ask, just like you mentioned, if a hot game are right over right now, where, you know, where could my birds get underneath something within a few seconds?
• 3:44
  Tina: Yeah.
• 3:46
  Tina: And you, you know, you really hit the nail on the head.
• 3:48
  Tina: You're looking at it from their view.
• 3:50
  Tina: You're getting in there and you're looking up and you're trying to see where those dangers are, so to speak.
• 3:55
  Tina: A run may technically have shelter, but it does not mean the birds have usable cover throughout the entire space.
• 4:02
  Tina: Immediate cover works best as another layer of protection, not as only like the only defense that they have.
• 4:09
  Tina: Overhead netting, you know, the roofing, like you mentioned, I absolutely love that.
• 4:14
  Tina: Or other barriers can prevent hawks from entering, even like you said with the paracord.
• 4:18
  Tina: It's gonna slow them down and allow the chickens to do what they need to do.
• 4:22
  Tina: So it does buy them some time.
• 4:24
  Tina: While strategically placed shelters underneath give birds somewhere to retreat quickly.
• 4:29
  Tina: If a predator does get close, they're going to have that little bit of time to even if they were to maybe try to get in there.
• 4:36
  Tina: So the stronger setup is layered overhead protection plus multiple easy accessible hiding areas throughout the entire area.
• 4:44
  Cortney: Yeah, sometimes a simple structure inside the run can give the flock another option when they feel threatened.
• 4:50
  Cortney: So it's just paying attention and what's best for your flock.
• 4:54
  Cortney: Right, absolutely.
• 4:55
  Tina: And Cortney, some of the community suggestions involved other animals like guineas, geese, roosters, or guardian animals.
• 5:04
  Tina: How should flock owners think about those ideas as protection?
• 5:09
  Cortney: I'd probably start by walking through the whole setup and looking at it from the flock's perspective.
• 5:15
  Cortney: Where are they exposed?
• 5:17
  Cortney: Where can they get undercover?
• 5:19
  Cortney: Where could something come in?
• 5:21
  Cortney: Once you know these things, you can decide which changes actually make sense for your property.
• 5:26
  Cortney: Overhead netting or a solid cover can be a great option where aerial predators are a concern.
• 5:32
  Cortney: Also pay attention to where your birds naturally spend their time.
• 5:35
  Cortney: If they're constantly hanging in wilderness or wide open areas, there may be something you want to address by adding more because that's what cover.
• 5:43
  Cortney: Then you can look at additional supplies as another layer.
• 5:47
  Cortney: Pay attention to the predators you're actually seeing around the property, too.
• 5:51
  Cortney: If hawks regularly show up, it may be time to reassess your setup.
• 5:56
  Cortney: The biggest thing is not to copy or gimmick just because it worked for someone else.
• 6:00
  Cortney: Every property and flock is different.
• 6:02
  Cortney: The goal isn't to find one magic solution that eliminates all the risk, it is to reduce the opportunities predators have to get to your birds.
• 6:12
  Cortney: And when you mention having other animals, other birds, other distractions, guinea fowls, they yelling and making it very noticeable, obvious that there's something coming, you know, turkeys, guineas, very vocal.
• 6:29
  Cortney: Yeah, very, you know, running under the tables, very smart when it comes to get somewhere and go.
• 6:35
  Cortney: Another customer says they live near cornfield, and that's a good description, you know, they run in there.
• 6:42
  Cortney: Yes, absolutely.
• 6:44
  Cortney: Yeah, and just the horses.
• 6:47
  Cortney: It's crazy how much, you know, letting your birds free range with your horse.
• 6:51
  Cortney: And it's like a big old scarecrow, or or even they'll get underneath it and use it for protection.
• 6:58
  Cortney: So yeah, I think all those are interesting because they can add another layer to the setup.
• 7:03
  Cortney: Guineas, geese, they might alert the flock to something, for example.
• 7:07
  Cortney: But other than that, yeah, just finding what works for your property and for your setup and your birds.
• 7:13
  Cortney: So yeah, that's pretty fun.
• 7:16
  Tina: Yeah, exactly.
• 7:17
  Tina: And not everything works for everybody.
• 7:20
  Tina: It really does depend on the predators in your area and just the birds themselves and just the situation.
• 7:26
  Tina: So some things work, some things don't, some things work for a while, and then animals get smart and they, you know, they don't work anymore.
• 7:34
  Tina: So yeah, thinking about it as layers rather than one solution is the best option or the best approach.
• 7:43
  Cortney: Yep.
• 7:43
  Cortney: Lots of looking over and kind of thinking like a predator or you know, thinking like your birds.
• 7:50
  Cortney: I feel like if I was out here in the middle of nowhere and I don't have nothing to hide, you know, if something comes, I gotta run across the yard to get in my coop, you know, that's not gonna work.
• 8:00
  Cortney: So pallets is a great thing.
• 8:01
  Cortney: Like if you've got trees to to lean them up against the trees where they can have a little space to run under it.
• 8:07
  Cortney: Yep.
• 8:07
  Cortney: And that's super cheap, you know.
• 8:09
  Cortney: And even, you know, when it's hot outside, get under that for shade and that kind of thing.
• 8:13
  Cortney: Yeah, we're just gonna see, yeah.
• 8:15
  Cortney: It's like my yard has a lot of obstacles for my yeah, that's good.
• 8:22
  Tina: Yeah, yeah.
• 8:23
  Tina: I mean, they need that.
• 8:24
  Tina: Yeah.
• 8:25
  Tina: Look looking from their point of view is so so important.
• 8:28
  Tina: Yes.
• 8:29
  Tina: All right, well, before we continue, here's a quick message from Valley Hatchery.
• 8:36
  Cortney: Hey, this is Cortney, customer support manager here at Valley Hatchery.
• 8:41
  Cortney: Quick note before we continue.
• 8:43
  Cortney: If you’ve ever waited until spring to order chicks, only to discover that your favorite breeds are already sold out… you’re going to want to hear this. At Valley Hatchery, our 2027 Early Reservations are opening soon — and they’re first come, first served. That means the earlier you reserve, the better your chance of getting dibs on the breeds you really want before they’re gone. But there’s another big advantage: you can lock in 2026 pricing for your 2027 chicks. With prices expected to be higher in 2027, reserving early lets you secure today’s pricing instead of paying the higher price later. Early Reservation customers get the opportunity to select shipping dates that work best for their schedule. Here’s how it works: our Early Reservation waiting list opens soon. You’ll get access to our Hottest Breeds in 2027 list before it goes public, giving you time to decide exactly what you want. Then, when reservations open in October, you’ll be ready to get in line. Reservations are first come, first served, and once a breed or shipping date fills up, it may be gone. So, if you want the best selection, the best chance at your favorite breeds, 2026 pricing for your 2027 chicks, and shipping dates that fit your schedule — don’t wait.
• 9:05
  Cortney: So Tina, what about some of the visual and unusual deterrents people mention?
• 9:11
  Cortney: Are those worth trying?
• 9:13
  Tina: Well, yeah.
• 9:14
  Tina: So about some of the more unusual, like hawk deterrents people talk about, like reflective tape, pinwheel, shiny CDs, even background noise, playing the radio really loud, or inflatable moving visual deterrents, they can all be worth trying.
• 9:31
  Tina: Especially like, for example, the noise, you know, you mentioned in just the last segment there about other animals, such as guineas and things that can be quite loud.
• 9:40
  Tina: This gives that same kind of thing, but without other animals.
• 9:45
  Tina: We do have to understand that not all of these are guarantees.
• 9:49
  Tina: These are just deterrents, you know, they're not going to completely 100% protect your birds, but these are just ways to do it.
• 9:57
  Tina: So movement, unexpected sound, and flashes, like with the reflection of things like the CDs, can make an area feel less comfortable to a hawk, a little bit unpredictable.
• 10:08
  Tina: And particularly when something is new.
• 10:11
  Tina: The problem is, like I mentioned, once they get used to these things, they kind of get smart to it.
• 10:16
  Tina: So, you know, you sometimes have to change these things up.
• 10:20
  Tina: Decoys like the fake owls and snakes that people use, they do initially work quite well in most cases, but they never move, nothing ever happens, they don't, you know.
• 10:31
  Tina: So the birds they are smart.
• 10:34
  Tina: Yeah, they absolutely do.
• 10:36
  Tina: So that's where it comes into some people saying, Oh, it works great, and then other people saying, Yeah, it doesn't work so great because it did at first.
• 10:43
  Tina: It just doesn't now because they're their animals are smart, you know.
• 10:47
  Tina: Yeah, so or the predators, I should say.
• 10:50
  Tina: So the same can happen with shiny CDs or pinwheels and things like that.
• 10:54
  Tina: They just tend to get used to those.
• 10:56
  Tina: And you know, we also have to remember that anything added to the flock's environment needs to be checked for safety.
• 11:03
  Tina: We do have to be sensible about that, avoiding like loose strings, sharp edges, anything that the birds can get tangled in or come in contact with, gonna make sure that they're not gonna get injured.
• 11:16
  Tina: And these deterrents can add another layer, but the foundation of hawk protection should still be physical overhead barriers and plenty of access of cover, like we mentioned earlier.
• 11:30
  Tina: The birds can get underneath immediately, and that's the best protection.
• 11:35
  Cortney: They feel protected, yeah.
• 11:37
  Cortney: Absolutely.
• 11:37
  Cortney: And that's why I'd rather see those ideas used as additional layer instead of the main protection.
• 11:44
  Tina: Right.
• 11:44
  Cortney: And something extra.
• 11:45
  Cortney: Yeah.
• 11:46
  Cortney: Yeah.
• 11:46
  Tina: And if you're trying to figure out where your coop might be vulnerable in the first place, we have a blog on predator entry points in backyard chicken coops.
• 11:56
  Tina: We'll put that in the episode description if you want to take a closer look at the areas predators may be able to access.
• 12:03
  Cortney: Yeah, that's a good one to check out if you're doing a walk around of your coop and trying to find out those weak spots.
• 12:08
  Cortney: Absolutely.
• 12:09
  Tina: And Cortney, if someone is concerned about hawks this fall, how would you recommend they put all of these ideas together?
• 12:19
  Cortney: I'd probably start by walking through, start with the physical structure, identify any access points, consider overhead netting covers, actual roof.
• 12:31
  Cortney: Look whether the flock has many areas of cover, not just one.
• 12:35
  Cortney: Make sure that there's several little places that they can get into that we've already mentioned.
• 12:40
  Cortney: These I want you to think of that works for your flock personally.
• 12:44
  Cortney: You know, if it's a wooden board or something like that that you have around your property, don't have to be anything crazy.
• 12:51
  Cortney: Consider additional deterrence as additional layer rather than the foundation.
• 12:56
  Cortney: Observe where the flock naturally spends most of their time, getting to know your flock.
• 13:01
  Cortney: We talk about that all the time, watching them, observing each day.
• 13:05
  Cortney: You know, it don't have to be a lot of time, just going out there at different times of the day because at different times of the day they'd be doing different things.
• 13:12
  Cortney: So just saying attention to local predator activity and rather hawks are regularly appearing around the property, reassessing the setup if birds are spending significant time in exposed areas, encouraging listeners to make changes based on their actual flock environment rather than copying a gimmick simply because someone else uses it.
• 13:34
  Cortney: So, you know, what what works for you?
• 13:36
  Cortney: Reducing opportunities for the predator rather than expecting one solution to eliminate the risk.
• 13:42
  Cortney: So keep watching.
• 13:44
  Cortney: Once you do make these changes and add different deterrents, make sure that they do work for your flock.
• 13:50
  Cortney: Maybe they need to be moved to a different location.
• 13:52
  Cortney: Maybe the birds are now spending time over here because it's shaded, or time over there because just you gotta watch them.
• 13:59
  Cortney: And each season is different.
• 14:00
  Cortney: So each day you learn something new.
• 14:02
  Cortney: So definitely just getting to know your flock, observing predators, listening out.
• 14:08
  Cortney: Your flock will usually somebody's gonna make be making some noise out there.
• 14:11
  Cortney: They're not laying an egg.
• 14:13
  Cortney: It's not normal for them to kind of make a lot of noise.
• 14:16
  Cortney: They will do some cackling, but otherwise, they will definitely let you know that something's going on.
• 14:20
  Cortney: A good time to get your eye out and make sure nothing's out there.
• 14:23
  Cortney: But yeah, that's the main things that I would start with, and just finding what works for you each day.
• 14:29
  Tina: Yeah, I mean, absolutely.
• 14:31
  Tina: Listening or watching our chickens is so important because, like you mentioned, things do change throughout the day, throughout the week, throughout the season, all of those things.
• 14:40
  Tina: And adjusting where needed.
• 14:42
  Tina: That's much more intentional approach than just putting on one deterrent because you saw someone post it and hoping for the best.
• 14:49
  Tina: Every property and every flock is a little different.
• 14:52
  Tina: So it's worth looking at what actually makes sense for your setup.
• 14:56
  Tina: Yeah.
• 14:56
  Tina: The main takeaway is pretty simple.
• 14:59
  Tina: If hawks are a concern in your area, don't wait until you have a problem to look at your flock's protection.
• 15:06
  Cortney: Right.
• 15:06
  Cortney: Take a walk around your run, look at the overhead exposure, check for areas where your birds can get undercover and think about whether your current deterrents are actually adding another useful layer.
• 15:18
  Tina: Yes, absolutely, Cortney.
• 15:20
  Tina: And remember, some of the most creative ideas came directly from our community.
• 15:24
  Tina: But what works for one flock may not work the same for another.
• 15:28
  Cortney: Exactly.
• 15:29
  Cortney: Start with the basics, understand where your flock is vulnerable, and build your protection plan from there.
• 15:35
  Tina: If you enjoyed today's episode, be sure to follow the Chicken Insights podcast so you never miss a future conversation about raising healthy backyard flocks.
• 15:43
  Cortney: And if there's a topic you'd like to cover in upcoming episodes, send us your questions using the fan mail feature on Buzz sprout.
• 15:51
  Cortney: We love hearing what's happening in your flock and your questions, it inspires our future episodes.
• 15:58
  Cortney: So just reach out.
• 16:00
  Tina: Absolutely.
• 16:00
  Tina: We are always here.
• 16:01
  Tina: We love to talk to our customers.
• 16:03
  Tina: And for more educational resources, breed guides, and practical flock care information, visit valleyhatchery.com.
• 16:11
  Cortney: And don't forget to check out the Predator Entry Points blog we mentioned earlier.
• 16:16
  Cortney: If you want to take a closer look at your coop setup, absolutely.
• 16:21
  Tina: Thanks for listening, and until next time, happy flock keeping.
• 16:24
  Tina: Bye for now.