Hawks are AFRAID to attack our CHICKENS! | UPDATED

[@BradMyers]

"That was from my mother-in-law", I busted out laughing.

[@thomasmosley5376]

I did too

[@faithsfarmlife1424]

Me too

[@bmcdonald7303]

Hilarious

[@detailkings3191]

😂😂😂😂

[@liznyp6209]

Six years with black australorps and no hawk attacks. We do have crows and I’ve seen hawks sitting on the fence looking down at the chickens but they’ve left them alone so far!

[@vickycassis7188]

Just want to say that this method is legit!! I got black australorps a year ago and their presence defends the flock, and we also live around a lot of crows. The crows actively protect the chickens! Before the australorps, I even one day saw a hawk attempt an attack (got really close, but the chickens hid behind some wire!) and a crow swooped in and harassed him away. Catching videos of crows harassing hawks has been my favorite thing ever since!

[@KackleHillHomestead]

We have had crows chasing the hawks out for years here, never thought about black chickens as a deterrent thanks for the insight

[@Green_Heart_Family_Farm]

Thanks for sharing the fun comments - especially from the MIL :)

[@rodaguirre3418]

Disturbing to hear those hateful comments. I share food with crows and I’ve seen them in action against hawks. Great videos, thanks!

[@suziehartwright]

Love your sense of humor! Thanks so much for the great information.

[@jimjohnson4517]

You are correct. We switched to black austrolorps years ago and the hawks that used to bring their young to hunt just fly over without swooping. Our crow population is significant and territorial. Now stopping owls, the blinking red solar predator lights work great until they shut off at dawn.

[@supabear2321]

Our Mother-in-Law's must be talking, because mine give the same "LOVING" comments to help Boost my morale as often as she can. Shes a real PAL!!!

[@spsmith1965]

Has anyone tried adding a bunch of vertical posts/rods inside the chicken yard to protect against Hawks? I think the hawk's wingspan prevent them from flying in between the posts if they are tight enough. I believe the wild ancestor of chickens lives in bamboo thickets, which would serve the same purpose.

[@jlmoreno9549]

Thank you I'm going to try this!

[@fordguyfordguy]

You must keep chickens in a postage stamp sized lot. I would need millions of posts...

[@deencarolh]

Hawks and crows are mortal enemy's, A single crow on the ground the hawk will attack and kill, several they will not. so yes there is strength in numbers. The same goes for owls, when they have young they are forced to hunt during the day also. A deterrent for hawks that I have used is to crisscross twine around my chicken yard about seven feet above ground. The Hawks wont fly into an area they think they become trapped. There is always an exception but it working for me.

[@veronicaschweitzer1748]

Just lost another hen to a hawk today (which is why I came across your 2 year old video). Your video makes sense to me though, because when crows are in our yard, the chickens don't care about the crows. One hawk though... and it is mass mayhem. Unfortunately, today I saw, and heard, the calls of at least 5 different hawks circling our property. We have more hawks than my one rooster can fend off. We definitely have a big problem this year, but I am seriously thinking that adding black chickens could be the best idea ever!!

[@poacher7805]

I've noticed that the only chickens I have lost to the hawks have been my grey Wyandottes. Haven't lost any Rhode Island reds. The hawks really seem to be drawn to the grey color.

[@JulesGardening]

ba ha ha ha "And that of course was from my mother-on-law" cracked me up. Hey, McClure family line on one side. Grandpa settled in Poor Valley just a ridge over from Tazewell. Lived in Athens WV for a short time in 2001. Beautiful country there brother. Be blessed. Thanks for sharing. Had a few good chuckles. A friend of mine uses the same technique and some inverted CD's glued to stakes. Confuses the hawk's "gps" I guess. Can't tell up from down. Anyway, between the two no hawk attacks though they hang out in the canopoy on the regular.

[@tangle70]

On your advice we got a couple black australorps and until this day have not had another hawk attack. I even seen a hawk less than 100 feet from the chickens on a telephone line. AN added bonus is that black australorps lay very well and are a very nice chicken to have around. Forgot, both place we lived had quiet a few crows and ravens in the area.

[@oldchickenlady]

Dadgum, you are really funny!! I just found your channel and subscribed. I agree with you about the Australorps. I had been looking for 3 years to find fertile eggs to replace my old hens. My Dorking hen - Broody extraordinaire - went broody in July after her usual spring adventure with hatching and I was finally able to get some more Australorp eggs!! Can't say enough good things about the Australorps or the Dorkings!!

[@mmmfriedtaters]

Just trying to understand why some individuals find it necessary to be so vicious and personal with their oppositions to your theory. If you disagree then say as much and leave it there, no need to attack them.

[@shannonstephens4245]

YOU CRACK ME UP TROY!!!!!

[@JohnSmith-tv5ep]

Maybe, just maybe...... Foghorn Leghorn intervened and had a conversation with that chicken hawk? LOL

[@jimbull6630]

I say I say what's a matter with you boy

[@juanitadafler7233]

We had lots of crows around here when I was young but haven't seen one in years. I wish we had them because we have a huge hawk population that love chicken. Loved your mother-in-law comment... LOL!! Love the clip of those crows giving that hawk heck!

[@faithsfarmlife1424]

Hawks are like gangsters out here

[@Heartofitall9691]

Well, I have a young flock 10 weeks old, a total of 13 Heritage breeds, including a barred Plymouth Rock rooster. They're pastured, and getting dive bombed by a hawk every day, sometimes twice a day. In my flock I have one black Faverolles that I was hoping would deter that damned broad winged hawk. But she's not. Thankfully, thus far these smart little ladies are hightailing it to cover/safety. And once safe, my rooster and the ladies at the top of the pecking order REALLY keep an eye out. I agree with you about having active crows around. I think this hawk is a juvenile testing the waters. I have two garden owl "scarecrows" that I move multiple times a day, two dogs that are out A LOT, and I'm disabled/home due to this Pandemic, so I sit out and read while they forage. All of this, along with my black chicken and my rooster isn't working. I luckily (and not, cuz it is also the perfect habitat for a hawk) have a large grassy knoll up on a mini mountain surrounded by deciduous forest. The east side is pines, while the other three are old hardwoods. Lots or rotting old trees that are home to buzzards, turkey vultures, owls, turkeys, and a wide variety of Songbirds, hummingbirds, etc. We do have a rather established murder of crows that I hear daily. This morning after attack #1 a crow chased the hawk off while my 100 lb dog barked viciously. But, it came back at dinner time!! I'm keeping track of the times so I can try to thwart it's routine. It's seeming like we're getting hit around 8 am, again around 10:30am and then at 5pm. I like pasturing the ladies, and they LOVE it as well. This morning I decided to gather them and put them in their run for a few hrs so it didn't attack around 10, and they just get quiet and sit/lay down. They're not happy unless they're chasing butterflies, catching frogs and slugs and nibbling grass tips and new clover. This is my third attempt with chickens. The first two flocks we had were murdered by a raccoon and a fox. This time it's not my coop, it's my expansive yard. I ordered my day olds from Meyer Hatchery, and I did things like Rare Assorted, which is hatchery choice. It saves you money and you get a surprise selection of breeds you might otherwise not try. As happy as we are, I think this is part of the reason the hawk is so attracted to them. I have: 2 Dominiques, 1 Partidge Rock and the barred Plymouth Rock rooster. I chose these specifically. Then I got, from Hatchery choice, a blue cuckoo marans, a blue Cochin, a white Cochin, a black Faverolles or Green Queen (it has a beard and 5 toes so I'm pretty sure it's a Faverolles, though their Green Queens can have them. Egg color will tell us what she is soon enough), a white Leghorn (she's the best!! Too chicken, watches out for everyone and will charge threats like my rooster!!), 2 Buff Orpingtons, a Welsummer, and a light brahma. Anyhoo, I think the problem in my instance is COLOR. They stick out! In the woods they're all equally camouflaged due to how the sunlight comes in to the forest floor, but when they're out foraging,I believe my whites and buffs are like flashing a neon sign. I've strung up a shit ton of invisible fishing line throughout the woods where they forage, along with the areas near my flower beds on the back of the house. I swear it's saved them twice now. I had to restring after one attack because its wing caught the line and broke it!! Hey, if it slows that hawk down a split second and gives my ladies a head start on seeking cover, I'll take it!!!! If they don't get better at avoiding this thing, I guess we'll have to look at a chicken tractor. But, in the meantime, I'm going to hope my roo grows big and strong, and then I can get some new Australorp chicks for one of these ladies who will go broody I'm sure. I had read about the black chickens after I had placed my order, but it really makes sense in a whole line up of ways to battle predators. Thanks ✌️

[@RedToolHouse]

Good Luck with your efforts!

[@spiritmeetsscience9404]

Yes! We have Crows and Blue Jays that keep the hawks away. Blue Jays are known for protecting chickens because they know there is a food and water source for them. I feed the BlueJays and Crows for this purpose. And yes had black chickens for years w no incident.

[@GrizzlyGroundswell]

LOL, great vid and interesting observation. It took us a while here but we finally called in our crows and vultures here. Surround thyself with life and don't sweat the mice nuts! (small matters)

[@bhill7067]

Thank you for the update. I have purchased a few black chicks this spring after watching your video from last fall. I have wondered if this would work. I have not seen crows in my area so will watch out for them. Have plenty of hawks in the area that have taken out a few of my flock.if it doesn't work I have not lost anything. Good Luck everyone.

[@doc47448]

Your mother-in-law is such a sweet lady. lmao

[@CutePiggy-o8d]

The monster in law

[@derekbergdorf2085]

Troy I live in WV and on farm and most people never get outside wont beleive what u have on video with the crows I agree 100 percent with although I have all different colors of chickens I beleive black chickens work

[@michaelhodges3841]

Do what works for you and flip off the naysayer's!!! I'm like you I viewed those comments as funny entertainment. Your channel and out of the woods channel is my top two channels I watch. I have a half of a dozen channels I watch and I really enjoy watching yours. You might want to put some wings as blinders on the end of the side rails so the piggies won't be afraid of the ledge at the end of the hoof bridge. Keep up the good work.

[@deeniceflex7432]

Thank you good videos.

[@vincentking8267]

Lol, I like your sense of humor.

[@kenjackson4177]

An attempted murder... I got a Great laugh out of that.... I wonder how many people missed that one. Great video

[@thelastjohnwayne]

The Black chicken idea is reasonable idea to try. I think bigger chicken breeds also get attacked less. I used to have banty and banty crosses at they always got attacked first.

[@Mary-had-a-lil-farm]

This is really very interesting. I just watch the previous video from last year regarding this as well and I’m glad for this follow up and continued confirmation of no hawk attacks. I am going to try to figure out how to draw crows in to my property or area at least. I happen to love the way they sound so it’s a win-win LOL. I do have to disagree with one thing you said, astro love rooster is being pretty chill. I have six roosters total, two of them are black Australope and they earn the title HRIC. Head rooster in charge! I do not keep any of my roosters together they are all housed separately. Especially those two they are the Tuffys. They are good roosters though always looking out for the hens always standing straight and looking to the sky, looking everywhere while the hens are doing their thing. 🐔

[@zoemarialawson8943]

peanuts attract crows. Yesterday crows chased a hawk from my area . I free range my chickens 2 times a day. Lost 1 roo to hawk white silkie ro. :(

[@Mary-had-a-lil-farm]

@@zoemarialawson8943 aww I am sorry 😢. That’s why I do not free range it is just way too dangerous and my birds are too precious. Maybe you can find a long area of so they can run back-and-forth and you could string rope across to help keep the hawks out

[@TheSmagzilla]

i have 4 blackish cuckoo marans (look like barred rock almost). there are many crows in the area too. i live on the edge of semi large city but lots of woods in the area. ive had one eagle/hawk land on my coop and do nothing to my chickens. i wasnt around to view that but the neighbor did. i believe their dark color does repel the predators along with the crow presence.

[@robertfakler8564]

We have lots of nesting Blackbirds here at this time of year, and they chase the hawks, just like your crow's do.

[@ricdenali4213]

I’m thinking crows are the key here.

[@robinwhitlatch4497]

There is a huge colony of ravens and crows that live in the trees on and around my property. Hawks and eagles never fly unharassed in my area. Most attacks on chickens and ducks are from Bard owls and raccoons at night, very few hawk and eagle attacks on flocks where the ravens and crows are.

[@jimmieburleigh9549]

Yes sir your not the only iv heard talk about the black chickens being seen as crows especially if you have crows in the area.

[@Robert-tc4le]

I don't have black chickens, but I don't bother crows when they are around. They do chase hawks away, but crows will also steal eggs from you. I believe a few eggs is a fair price for chasing the raptors away

[@mjay8128]

Love your mother-in-law comment !!!

[@kenjett2434]

Me too that was good but I have been lucky. I have had the pleasure I guess to have had 2 mother-in-laws and have had a good relationship with both. But more often than not this isn't the case and moms rarlely approve of who marries their children.

[@alanvaleandthelazyfarmer1930]

I see 3 or 4 crows chase off wedgetail eagles. They take turns to attack from different sides and try to pluck the tail feathers. Generally the drive them about half a mile.

[@sweetearthfarm]

An attempted murder! Ah hahaha. Subtle groaner pun. 😝

[@LarryStrawson]

I wonder if adding some crow decoys with some added crow sound would be a good deterrent as well? I dont even have chickens and live in the city now but YT has your video in my feed(glad it was cause I enjoyed your video :-) ) . I was raised on a farm and we always had chickens but never had hawk problems. Mink on the other hand will kill a whole coop full of chickens and not eat one of them.

[@armandodiaz67]

I thought about getting some phony crows, from Amazon, and putting them around the coop. What are the chances of that working?

[@wykeishacraft6820]

😄😄😄 great video thanks for sharing

[@conradhomestead4518]

Interesting. I’ll have to add a few black chickens.

[@shuyostarwind6157]

i have cuckoo marans and i know ive had a hawk here for awhile never had a problem the other morning i let my white silkies out before the marans and the hawk got 1 of my chicks.

[@danielwarnes7231]

I think your reasoning about "active crows" is a very good point. I'm just outside Yosemite National Park and see crows once in a while so how do I attract them?

[@LarryStrawson]

Owl decoys work good at attracting crows

[@sf2188]

Around my house Blue Jay birds attack the hawk. They make such a racket that I know when the hawk is near. When the Mississippi Kites show up in the spring, they chase the hawks out of the area. Guess I will look for some chickens that look like blue jays.

[@wykeishacraft6820]

Great channel about animals attacking other animals

[@dougfranco9995]

zone 7 mid TN free range year around coops and tree are used by birds year round , still get some , but when blue jays or crows NEST on the farm ....then they will drive off all hawks owls and fox

[@maehay4065]

I hope your chickens stay healthy and keep laying eggs for a long time. It sure seems like some people can only make negative comments which is sad. I think I can speak for larger subscribers when I say most of us watch to learn more about homesteading than making rude comments.Could you spell what type of chickens you have sir? I am not familiar with this breed but I would love to learn more about them. 👍

[@villagesteader3552]

They are Austrolorps and they are GREAT egg layers!

[@alancarleton6879]

I found if I feed the deer corn than that attracts crows and my Hawks stay way. As soon as I ran out of corn the crows left and a hawk. Flew right over me on to a tree about 50 feet away from my chickens shade bathing under a tree.

[@Tinyhomedeals]

I have heard of that too. They look like crows. I mentioned it in some fb groups and got alot of flack for that. YT and social media is funny like that. 😜🦊🐔🐓

[@brianmatthews4323]

Anti-social media is TOXIC. Anonymity breeds rudeness.

[@Ay-xq7mj]

Another note is any bird very similar to crows will probably do the same thing. I see same thing but with blue jays regularly.

[@deborrahdutra5599]

Great VIDEO thanks for sharing

[@Fiona2254]

I'm gonna have to start feeding the local crows. I can see them occasionally and hear them all the time.

[@darlabaker7872]

When I had black chickens I never had a problem with the hawks getting my chickens but I recently got other color chickens and now they already got 2 of them

[@thecityman1910]

I have all the respect in the world for you and I promise I'm not just an internet troll. I'm happy your black chickens work for you, but they certainly don't work for me here in Middle TN. And yes, we have crows and I have absolutely seen the exact same thing shown in your video- crows diving and jousting with hawks in the air. Again, I swear I'm not just here to argue or challenge you. I am genuinely VERY curious why it works for you but not me. But the whole reason I came to YT today to search for how to stop hawks from killing chickens is because hawks have been wearing my chickens out- once ever 1-2 weeks I lose one. And the only chickens I own are Black Jersey Giants. In fact, the whole reason I have switched to J Giants was hoping they were too big for hawks. And they are bigger than the hawks in most cases, yet hawks manage too kill them!!!!! Anyway, I certainly believe your experience, and I appreciate this update video (I saw both) and your theory that it helps to have active, aggressive crows. I have that, and still loose my free range black chicks. So I'm still looking for solutions since I don't want to resort to the 3S method. (shoot, shovel, and shut-up). hA

[@sixoaksfarm1556]

I heart this, ,lol I concur, partially. I think some hawks have been chased and harassed more then others. Ive lost a a bunch of ducks and a chicken or two with my black chickens around(Mine are Austrolorp and crosses, lots of black chickens here). I chalk it up to an inexperienced youngster looking for an easy meal. We have a resident hawk that doesnt hunt near the house where the chickens are. Its the passersby that seem to be the most trouble. and the crows are extra irritating to hawks this time of year too. Mating/nesting season

[@RedToolHouse]

crows have definitely laid claim to this valley.

[@mm2093]

I had a flock of ten - 4 were black - 3 black hens were taken out in two week - I have had them for 5 yrs so I thought there was something to this but based on the past few weeks I would have to say this is not true - trying to figure out some netting

[@muskokaliving2072]

I had the same problem with trying to interview the crows in my area; their agent wanted too much money! It's like they think they're Ted Danson!

[@randyblankenship2115]

The last hawk attack we had was on a black chicken and there was only two black ones and the other four are golden Wyandotte’s

[@patriots1needed]

Crows chase Redtail hawks here in GA too. You might be on to something. They also might look like vultures from above too. Just thinking. Enjoyed.

[@tinybigbus1873]

I have black hens too and don't have a problem with hawks but I do have another problem. They won't lay eggs. So I brought a chicken expert over and I was informed that I had a half dozen crows. Go figure.

[@jimbull6630]

You need to consult a different expert cause crows lay eggs, you must have roosters, cockadoodledoo.

[@RedToolHouse]

Perfect!

[@SusanMcelrath]

Love this )

[@blairtheageese5269]

I been feeding a family of crows for years and they keep all hawks out from my free range chickens,

[@thefreese1]

I am going to try putting out some crow decoys.. i lost a bird to a falcon .. but I still think its worth while to have criws around.. in fact I'm thinking about getting some whole corn and setting it out for the crows to eat.. I used to have lots of chickens years ago and a healthy crow population ..n they'd drop down for the chicken feed ... but whole corn kernels work better because crows can eat those and other birds cannot. I'll just have to make sure to not turn out any small chickens until they have reached a large enough size...because crows can go after them.... I'll let you know how the crow decoys work ..

[@VaderSpade]

Invited some crows over and NOW the crows are getting my chicks!!

[@cynsim]

I had a hawk hunting our small wooded area . A pair of crows moved in and I saw them chase out the hawk. Probably the crows chased your hawk away and the black chickenS were a coincidence.

[@TheTroothseekr]

I actually found some crow decoys I’m going to give a try.

[@mahalofreddy6772]

Yup, I have black chickens and there are crows and hawks where I live. Not one chicken taken by a hawk in twenty plus years...

[@chucknelson4556]

1 goose with your chickens will deter all of your predators.

[@abupip4140]

I have 3 geese in with chickens and still lost 2 chickens today from a hawk.

[@davidbogovich243]

Interesting. A good way to keep crows in your area is to throw table scraps (fat, bones, etc.) out in the morning for them, and a pan of water. You'll have forever "watchdogs".

[@Fiona2254]

I believe hawk killing and keeping the feathers is illegal. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[@thisismagacountry1318]

I know I'm just a city boy, but wouldn't the chickens be protected if you raised the fencing to 7 feet and stretched chicken wire across the top?

[@RedToolHouse]

Yes, but ours don't always stay in a small run like that.

[@MoneypitHomestead]

I am not sure if having black chickens over a different color chicken helps with Hawks or not but after watching this video I started thinking back to when we had over 100 White Jersey Giants we did have a Hawk problem during that time. When I ordered more chickens I ordered more White Jersey Giants but they were out of them and asked if they could send us Black Jersey Giants; which was okay and they did. We really have not had any Hawk problem at all with these. We now have a lot of different color chickens but we still have a lot of the Black Jersey Giants and we still do not have a Hawk problem. Sorry that there are so many hateful people leaving comments and "That was from my mother-in-law", made my wife and I busted out laughing. Until next time may God bless your days as He always does ours!

[@jameskarns7753]

Did the pigs demolish the trough or are you storing scrap wood in the pasture in the hopes they build a house of sticks?

[@RedToolHouse]

They uncover things that have been buried for years!

[@lupapp75]

I'm trying too attract crows to my area. I think it works since crows and hawks aren't best friends

[@aslhavardhomestead155]

We have a lot of crows here too. Maybe that is why it works for us too

[@barrywilliston7293]

we have crows here at the farm, and they chase the hawks away. i have no problems with the hawks attacking my chickens.

[@iamshooman3663]

I had two chickens go missing both black hens one being an australorp, I still don't know what got them

[@hdtripper1]

You are hilarious!

[@heatherabbe662]

The hawk has killed our young black chicks (teenage” pullets) and yesterday killed our black adult. So idk but our flock is multicolored. Makes sense but maybe bc ours were doing chicken things the hawk knew the difference?

[@bullpuppy689]

Our loses are very low now also

[@vondakayshaeffer]

A hawk killed one of my Black Astralorp chickens. Your hawks are being fed by other means. When they get hungry, they'll come calling on your hens.

[@thelastjohnwayne]

I did have Crows viciously attack my chickens at least once. I saw it.

[@jodysappington7008]

great funny video

[@dennisharvey8435]

I got black chickens because of your video and I'm proof that people shouldn't listen to this. Crows around here chase chickens too. Austrolorps are great chickens though.

[@fooddude9921]

"Attempted murder" - good one! Apparently someone called a muster and they were all hovering around. crow.bz/main/murder.htm

[@rummysworld7531]

At our old place we were able to attract crows by putting out peanuts and that seemed to work. At the new place we are again using electric fence wire overhead in a criss cross pattern.

[@rummysworld7531]

and yes we have witnessed the same with crows chasing hawks

[@horsesonsteel6154]

2 ravens adopted us. 👍

[@zoemarialawson8943]

WHY DONT YOU PUT NETTING OVER YOUR RUN just in case? Will keep owls out too

[@lindasexton8505]

How about crow decoys..???? Would that work..???

[@tracyhainer4645]

I had 3 black sexlinks be taken by hawks. We are in Central Washington pretty dry and not alot of trees. We have crows bit way more hawks.

[@carmaela2689]

Crows attack hawks all the time. I am currently dealing with a young hawk attacking my bird feeder birds.

[@NightcrawlersRC]

Hawk just tried to get my black chicken, and I got it on video.

[@Rose-kh1qh]

That is crazy and could be true

[@zoemarialawson8943]

Hawk killed my white silkie Rooster :( was huge like 10 pds hawk :( Ive heard mixed reviews on black chickens. I had crows & black birds chase a hawk away yesterday when I was free ranging my flock. Thank you crows!!!!!

[@thelastjohnwayne]

Fact Crows attack Hawks Blackbirds attack Crows Blackbirds attack Hawks.

[@toddcaskey9984]

I thought the same , then my and my daughters fave chicken , a 8 year old named Pablo who was black , got her head ate off by a hawk. , I think it helps some , but I think having hawks in the area help more. Todd

[@daniels5780]

I think you mean having crows in the area helps more.