Watch This Woman Save the Day When a Hawk Invades Her Chicken Coop

Watch a woman save the day when a hawk invades the chicken coop!

Things start off peacefully in the video below, but they don’t stay calm for long. As the scene begins, the birds are happily strutting their stuff. Then, without warning, danger arrives. A big hawk invades the chicken coop, and it’s dead set on scoring a meal.

Entering through an open door, the hawk immediately jumps on top of a chicken and begins digging in with its sharp talons. After a couple of seconds, a brave woman gets in the middle of things. But how exactly do you convince a hungry hawk to leave? Lots and lots of arm waving apparently. Waving her arms, and standing her ground, the woman finally convinces the hawk to leave to find another meal.

Backyard Chickens: Growing in Popularity

Now seen as the perfect family project, backyard chickens are growing in popularity. According to the American Pet Products Association APPA, about 12 million people in the United States are chicken keepers. And it’s not just about scoring those farm-fresh eggs. About two-thirds of these chicken owners treat their feathery pals like family pets. The best part is owning chickens is easy to get into. You’re almost all set for your feathery friends if you’ve got the basics like feed, feathers, coops, and chicken runs.

What Is a Hawk’s Favorite Food?

Hawks are attracted to places with their favorite prey running, or flying around. These skilled hunters eat a variety of things like mice, chipmunks, rabbits, gophers, squirrels, fish, lizards, snakes, and various insects. Sometimes, they might go after other birds, like doves or even chickens, as seen in the video below. When the hawk invades the chicken coop, it’s definitely planning on flying away with a big meal.

The hawk’s adventurous diet makes pet owners worry sometimes, and for good reason too. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under the right circumstances, a hungry hawk might give chase to small pets like kittens.

To deter hawks, guard dogs, cover, roosters, decoys, and even hanging flashy tape can help. Keep in mind that hawks are protected by state and federal laws, making it illegal to capture, kill, or own them without the proper permits.

More About Hawks

The term “hawk” refers to around 270 different types of daytime hunting birds, scientifically grouped under the Falconiformes order. These common birds of prey are known for their loud calls and impressive soaring flights. Hawks symbolize all sorts of things across cultures such as strength, bravery, and confidence. Some of these symbolisms tie directly to the incredible skills hawks have at their disposal, like speed.

Certain hawks are incredibly fast, reaching speeds of over 150 mph as they swoop through the air. They also have incredible eyesight and can see long distances with exceptional clarity. They even have color vision, allowing them to see a wide range of colors.

Perhaps it was a female hawk in the video below because it’s a big one. Unlike many other animals, female hawks are often larger and more robust than males, especially in certain species. Young hawks grow quickly and become full-sized within a few weeks of being born. After leaving the nest, they still stick around with their parents for a while before becoming independent.

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