Stop Hawks from Attacking Your Chickens: Proven Ways to Protect Your Flock

Hawks eyeing your chickens? Yikes! Don’t freak out—you don’t have to let these feathered predators turn your backyard into a free lunch buffet.

We’ve rounded up the best tricks to send hawks packing—no stress, no drama. From tricking them with decoys to dazzling them with shiny objects, we’ll show you how to keep your flock safe without breaking a sweat (or the bank).

Check out these easy, no-fail ways to turn your chicken run into an impenetrable safe zone. Click on any of the methods to dive deeper—because why can’t you be both a chicken whisperer and a hawk-dodging pro?

Method	How it Works
Decoys	Hawks avoid owls, scarecrows, and other hawks. Move them around to keep them effective.
Shiny Objects & Motion Deterrents	Old CDs, aluminum pie pans, or reflective tape catch sunlight and confuse hawks. Motion-activated sprinklers surprise hawks with water, scaring them away.
Cover Chicken Run	Use netting, fishing line grids, or ½-inch hardware cloth to block hawk access.
Shelter & Hiding Spots	Shrubs, overhead covers, and lean-to shelters give chickens a safe place to hide.
Feeding Tips	Hang feeders under a shelter, feed indoors, and avoid scattering food outside.
Guardian Animals	Livestock guardian dogs, geese, and roosters protect chickens from hawks.
Enclose Coop & Run	Use strong wire mesh or netting to fully enclose your chicken run.

1. Use Decoys to Deter Hawks (Because Hawks Hate Competition)

Hawks are basically the bullies of the sky, and guess what? They’re scared of other predators.

Yup. Hawks are definitely not fans of owls or other hawks lurking in their territory.

Time to trick them with some decoys!

Best Decoys to Fool Hawks:

• Plastic Owl Decoys: Hawks and owls? Enemies for life. Stick one of these near your coop, and hawks will probably peace out. Just don’t forget to move it around every few days, or they’ll catch on.
• Scarecrows: If it worked for the Wizard of Oz, it can work for your chickens. Place one in your yard, and watch hawks get the heck out. Bonus points for streamers or old clothes to make it look even creepier.
• Fake Hawks: Yup, you read that right. Place a fake hawk in your yard, and real hawks will be like, “This is someone else’s turf” and fly away. It actually works.

2. Shiny Objects & Motion Deterrents (Because Hawks Can’t Handle the Glam)

Hawks have super sharp vision, but even they can’t handle the bling factor.

Hanging shiny objects around your yard messes with their eyes and makes them rethink that chicken dinner.

Bling That’ll Make Hawks Think Twice:

• Old CDs/DVDs: Got a stack of scratched-up discs? Tie them to trees or fences. The sunlight will make them sparkle and spin, and trust us—hawks will not be having it.
• Aluminum Pie Pans: These things are like bird scarecrows—reflective surfaces that flash in the sun. Tie them around your chicken run, and you’ve got yourself a DIY hawk deterrent. Extra fun: The wind makes them clank.
• Reflective Tape or Mylar Strips: These fluttery metallic strips create constant shimmer in the breeze. Tie them to poles or fences for an easy, shiny deterrent.
• Motion-Activated Sprinklers: Nothing ruins a hawk’s day faster than a surprise water spray. These will keep hawks on their toes and your plants watered, too. Win-win!

3. Cover Your Chicken Run (Because Hawks Can’t Swoop If They Can’t Get In)

Here’s a pro tip: Netting is your best friend.

Hawks might be bold, but they’re not reckless—throw up a barrier, and they’ll think twice before making a move.

Easy, right?

Best Netting Options:

• Heavy-Duty Bird Netting: This stuff is tough, and it’ll keep hawks from swooping in on your chickens. Cover your run with it, and you’ll have one less thing to worry about.
• Fishing Line Grids: No netting? No problem. String up some fishing line in a crisscross pattern above your run. Hawks will see it and be like, “Yeah, no thanks.”
• ½-Inch Hardware Cloth: This mesh keeps out hawks and other predators. It’s basically the superhero of chicken protection. Strong, sturdy, and totally hawk-proof.

4. Shelter & Hiding Spots (Because Chickens Love Hide-and-Seek)

Hawks are fast, but they can’t hit what they can’t see.

So, give your chickens some places to hide. If they’ve got cover, they’ve got a fighting chance.

Quick Ways to Give Your Chickens a Safe Escape:

• Plant Shrubs & Bushes: These are like mini chicken bunkers. Dense foliage makes it hard for hawks to spot your birds. Hide and seek, but for chickens.
• Overhead Covers: A tarp, a roof, or even tree branches can keep hawks from seeing your flock. And if they can’t see, they can’t attack.
• Build Lean-To Shelters: Simple, quick shelters that give your chickens somewhere to go when things get hairy. Perfect for those “run for cover” moments.

5. No Ground Feeding (Because Hawks Love an Easy Target)

Hawks aren’t stupid. If your chickens are munching food in the open, a hawk will swoop in and turn it into a very one-sided feast.

Keep mealtime safe with these feeding tips.

Smart Feeding Tips:

• Use Hanging Feeders Under a Roofed Shelter: Your chickens get to eat, and they stay protected from above. No hawk sightlines = no hawk attacks.
• Feed Inside the Coop: This is your safest bet. Keeping mealtime indoors means your chickens won’t have to worry about hawks circling above while they chow down.
• Avoid Scattering Food in Open Areas: Sure, it feels natural, but it’s like inviting a hawk over for dinner. Keep food in a protected area to reduce the risk.

6. Livestock Guardian Animals & Roosters (Because Chickens Need Bodyguards)

Want to level up your chicken security? Meet their new best friends: guardian animals.

These creatures don’t just protect your chickens—they patrol the yard, keep an eye on things, and generally act like total bosses.

Meet Your Flock’s New Security Team:

• Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs): The Great Pyrenees? Big, fluffy, and serious about protecting their flock. They’ll keep hawks away and still manage to be cuddle machines. Win-win!
• Geese: These loud, honking, totally unafraid birds are like the neighborhood watch. They’ll see a hawk and sound the alarm—or just charge the hawk. No one messes with geese.
• Roosters: Roosters are natural protectors. They’ll absolutely alert your chickens to danger and might even take on a smaller hawk. For maximum protection, go for larger breeds like Rhode Island Reds or Orpingtons. They’re the bodyguards of the chicken world.

7. The Coop & Run (The Ultimate Hawk-Proof Enclosure)

If hawks think your backyard is their hunting zone, it’s time to put up the ultimate ‘No Entry’ sign—a fully enclosed, predator-proof run.

This is the ultimate, no-compromise solution.

How to Build Your Hawk-Proof Fort:

• Cover All Sides with Welded Wire Mesh or Strong Netting: Hawks will never get past this. Make sure every side of your coop and run is covered—even the top.
• Use Heavy-Duty Bird Netting or Hardware Cloth: Regular chicken wire won’t do. Go for ½-inch hardware cloth. Hawks and raccoons won’t stand a chance.
• Consider Natural Cover for Extra Protection: Trees or a roof above your run can give your chickens extra shade and a little camouflage. If a hawk can’t see them, it’s game over for the hawk.

Final Thoughts: Protect Your Chickens Without Waging War on Nature

There’s no magic fix for hawks, but layering these tricks together? That’s the secret sauce to a predator-proof flock. Whether it’s decoys, shiny objects, or building an impenetrable chicken fortress, the more layers, the better.

And don’t forget about adding guardian animals for that extra security!

But here’s the best part: Play around with these methods and find what works best for your setup. Every flock is unique, so tailor your defense plan accordingly.

By staying proactive and using a mix of tricks, you’ll keep your chickens safe, while still appreciating the beauty of wildlife (minus the hawk attacks, of course).