- Location
- Scottish Highlands
As many on here will know, I've kept hawks (for falconry) for many years. The traditional way of keeping them is by tethering to a perch. The problem is, I also keep poultry on free range! How was that going to work? How could I keep the hens safe?
Then I read in an old book that falconers back in the 16th century had a similar problem with many cottagers and small land owners keeping poultry. Trained hawks found chickens easy and tempting targets so, if left to it, they often preferred them to game.
They solved this one by waiting until a hawk had started to eat the hen it had caught, then quietly going up to it and sprinkling pepper on the freshly opened corpse. I think they chose pepper because it was all they had back then! Well, I tried it. It worked! My chickens could forage within range of the hawks who were now not interested in a chicken dinner as they were convinced they tasted revolting!
I don't know whether sprinkling some noxious substance on newly borne lambs would keep the predators at bay but it might be worth a try. I am sure it has been tried. I'd suggest something like powdered paprika or something hot (I am no culinary expert!). Any thoughts on this?
Then I read in an old book that falconers back in the 16th century had a similar problem with many cottagers and small land owners keeping poultry. Trained hawks found chickens easy and tempting targets so, if left to it, they often preferred them to game.
They solved this one by waiting until a hawk had started to eat the hen it had caught, then quietly going up to it and sprinkling pepper on the freshly opened corpse. I think they chose pepper because it was all they had back then! Well, I tried it. It worked! My chickens could forage within range of the hawks who were now not interested in a chicken dinner as they were convinced they tasted revolting!
I don't know whether sprinkling some noxious substance on newly borne lambs would keep the predators at bay but it might be worth a try. I am sure it has been tried. I'd suggest something like powdered paprika or something hot (I am no culinary expert!). Any thoughts on this?