The neverending coop project. *Update

post #201 of 211

12/6/10 at 8:39pm

nanawendy

Location: Bellingham Wa
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That is a delightful coop. I bet your girls (and roo's ) are bliss-ed out. We call our coop "Winchester House" like the one in CA. Our hammers NEVER stop.

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post #202 of 211

12/6/10 at 9:17pm

thebirdguy

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Knock Kneed Hen

Soooooooo splain how t-posts keep hawks out...(insert scratching my head smilie)

I'm betting that the hawks don't want to dive bomb into the collection of upright posts... they prefer meadows and open spaces so that they can adjust as their prey tries to escape..

Plan now to attend the 2nd Annual Rocky Mountain Chickenstock May 4th!! Order your event shirts now!! www.rockymountainchickenstock.com

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Plan now to attend the 2nd Annual Rocky Mountain Chickenstock May 4th!! Order your event shirts now!! www.rockymountainchickenstock.com

My Swap Page

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post #203 of 211

12/7/10 at 7:06am

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Happy Chooks

Location: Northern CA
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Quote:

Originally Posted by thebirdguy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knock Kneed Hen

Soooooooo splain how t-posts keep hawks out...(insert scratching my head smilie)

I'm betting that the hawks don't want to dive bomb into the collection of upright posts... they prefer meadows and open spaces so that they can adjust as their prey tries to escape..

Okay, here's our theory..............A hawk CAN come straight down to grab prey. But they CANNOT go straight up, they need lift, like an airplane. (especially with prey) So our theory was if they cannot get out, they will not come in. (no animal wants to trap itself) So we blocked the flight path, so there's no where for the hawk to get lift. We did this in our orchard after we lost a hen to a hawk. It has worked beautifully for a year and a half since then.

Here's a picture when we put it in our orchard, where the 1st coop is. All the reflective tape has come down now, it doesn't hold up well to the weather. ETA: I saw the hawk fly down over the coop down the bare area (before we did this) where these posts are now.

Breeding Welsummers and Barnevelders.

Having an Icelandic in the coop is like having a 2 year old in the house - they are into everything and don't follow the rules.

I have zero chicken willpower.

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Breeding Welsummers and Barnevelders.

Having an Icelandic in the coop is like having a 2 year old in the house - they are into everything and don't follow the rules.

I have zero chicken willpower.

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post #204 of 211

12/7/10 at 7:11am

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Happy Chooks

Location: Northern CA
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Quote:

Originally Posted by jnkir7

i guess i bought the wrong one,ill check it out thanks

Look at Foys pigeon supplies. Inside mount with the light sensor. (no timer) It's better than sliced bread!

Breeding Welsummers and Barnevelders.

Having an Icelandic in the coop is like having a 2 year old in the house - they are into everything and don't follow the rules.

I have zero chicken willpower.

Reply

Breeding Welsummers and Barnevelders.

Having an Icelandic in the coop is like having a 2 year old in the house - they are into everything and don't follow the rules.

I have zero chicken willpower.

Reply

post #205 of 211

12/7/10 at 7:23am

cherylcohen
The Omelet Ranch

Location: SF East Bay CA
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Chooks

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnkir7

i guess i bought the wrong one,ill check it out thanks

Look at Foys pigeon supplies. Inside mount with the light sensor. (no timer) It's better than sliced bread!

Because my coop is slightly shaded I have 2 of the door openers without a light sensor and just use the timer. Best product I ever bought

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post #206 of 211

12/7/10 at 11:22am

Knock Kneed Hen
California Dream'in Chickens

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Chooks

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebirdguy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knock Kneed Hen

Soooooooo splain how t-posts keep hawks out...(insert scratching my head smilie)

I'm betting that the hawks don't want to dive bomb into the collection of upright posts... they prefer meadows and open spaces so that they can adjust as their prey tries to escape..

Okay, here's our theory..............A hawk CAN come straight down to grab prey. But they CANNOT go straight up, they need lift, like an airplane. (especially with prey) So our theory was if they cannot get out, they will not come in. (no animal wants to trap itself) So we blocked the flight path, so there's no where for the hawk to get lift. We did this in our orchard after we lost a hen to a hawk. It has worked beautifully for a year and a half since then.

Here's a picture when we put it in our orchard, where the 1st coop is. All the reflective tape has come down now, it doesn't hold up well to the weather. ETA: I saw the hawk fly down over the coop down the bare area (before we did this) where these posts are now.
http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz145/new2chooks/IMG_1360.jpg

I have friends that came home and found a hawk in their run, six pullets dead. The run was covered with shade cloth and there was a 6 inch tear in the corner that they had been meaning to fix. Yes, the hawk was trapped, but didn't seem to mind since it had plenty to snack on. Their run is also under a thick cover of oak trees. They had a hard time chasing the hawk OUT of the run!!

The flaw I see in your theory is that a hawk can easily come down, feast, and then leave. It's easier for him to catch sitting prey so worth it for him. If he doesn't get his fill he can just come back.

It's funny. My neighbor has a bunch of chickens, mostly bantams, and she's never lost a single bird in 15 yrs. of having them free range every day. We live in coyote, bobcat, mountain lion, hawk, owl, etc...territory. It amazes me. idunno
There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it.

You have a lovely set up. The orchard makes for a beautiful setting and lots of tree coverage. thumbsup BEAUTIFUL!

Swedish Flower Hens

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Swedish Flower Hens

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post #207 of 211

12/7/10 at 11:45am

Jared77

Location: Fowlerville, MI
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Birds of prey tend to attack from an angle not straight down or they'd crash into the ground. They can't keep up the necessary speed to strike with or the prey would escape, or they'd keep up their speed and injure or kill themselves with the strike which is counter productive to getting a meal. I doubt they would risk clipping or running smack into one of the T posts. I think its a great idea.

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post #208 of 211

12/7/10 at 11:58am

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Happy Chooks

Location: Northern CA
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Sure, you can't protect against every "possible" scenario. But maybe, just maybe that hawk was hungry enough to risk just about anything, survival is a strong instinct.

I don't raise bantams because they easy hawk pickings. No hawk is going to stay on the ground around here, I have a high prey drive German Shepherd dog that will chase ANYTHING that is not supposed to be on this property. Just yesterday I heard her barking at the door, I went and looked to find she spotted a cat laying by the fence to my orchard. (we don't have any cats) I let her out, and she ran that cat off as fast as she could. (and she's fast, can keep up with hubby on his dirtbike in 3rd gear) No squirrel stays on the ground here either, she doesn't like those squirrels. She's a good girl looking after my chickens though. love

We choose to have really large runs. My orchard is 50 by about 80 feet, and the new run is 20X50. So we do what we can to minimize the risks of losing one, but we choose to have larger space for our hens happiness. (and the roosters are always on the lookout) Just like people who free range exclusively choose their level of risk, we've chosen our level of risk. I have chosen to NOT free range because we do have a high number of predators in our area: coyotes, mountain lions, bears, hawks, owls (a pair that nest on our property), raccoons, opossum, etc. I let them out when I'm able to keep an eye on them. (and my dog loves to join me, she loves having a "job" to do)

It may not be right for everyone, but it works for us.

Breeding Welsummers and Barnevelders.

Having an Icelandic in the coop is like having a 2 year old in the house - they are into everything and don't follow the rules.

I have zero chicken willpower.

Reply

Breeding Welsummers and Barnevelders.

Having an Icelandic in the coop is like having a 2 year old in the house - they are into everything and don't follow the rules.

I have zero chicken willpower.

Reply

post #209 of 211

12/7/10 at 12:49pm

Knock Kneed Hen
California Dream'in Chickens

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Chooks

Sure, you can't protect against every "possible" scenario. But maybe, just maybe that hawk was hungry enough to risk just about anything, survival is a strong instinct.

I don't raise bantams because they easy hawk pickings. No hawk is going to stay on the ground around here, I have a high prey drive German Shepherd dog that will chase ANYTHING that is not supposed to be on this property. Just yesterday I heard her barking at the door, I went and looked to find she spotted a cat laying by the fence to my orchard. (we don't have any cats) I let her out, and she ran that cat off as fast as she could. (and she's fast, can keep up with hubby on his dirtbike in 3rd gear) No squirrel stays on the ground here either, she doesn't like those squirrels. She's a good girl looking after my chickens though. love

We choose to have really large runs. My orchard is 50 by about 80 feet, and the new run is 20X50. So we do what we can to minimize the risks of losing one, but we choose to have larger space for our hens happiness. (and the roosters are always on the lookout) Just like people who free range exclusively choose their level of risk, we've chosen our level of risk. I have chosen to NOT free range because we do have a high number of predators in our area: coyotes, mountain lions, bears, hawks, owls (a pair that nest on our property), raccoons, opossum, etc. I let them out when I'm able to keep an eye on them. (and my dog loves to join me, she loves having a "job" to do)

It may not be right for everyone, but it works for us.

That's interesting. I only free range when I'm out there but it's getting to be a pain babysitting chickens. I plan on putting in some fruit trees in the spring. Maybe I'll give this technique a go. I have four dogs but none that I would trust to guard chickens. That would be ideal. I suspect that we don't get the predator activity because of the dogs, but hawks and owls are a different story. They always seem to show up seconds after letting the girls out too. I love the crows for chasing them off.

Swedish Flower Hens

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Swedish Flower Hens

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post #210 of 211

10/17/11 at 7:23pm