Advice needed on hawk proof wiring for my extended run area

[bobbieschicks]

Here's the thread about the hawks suddenly invading our space - it also shows the new unsecured run I built for the flock that's approximately 40' x 26' and the coop is inside that area inside of a secured 15' x 10' run that is completely wired in and attached to the coop. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/622722/is-this-suddenly-hawk-season

I need help figuring out how to wire up the top of it. I have about 70' of 4' tall 2x4 welded wire and about 40' of 4' tall standard chicken wire. I have about six 2x2 8' length posts and a few 8' 2x4s. I was wondering if I have to wire the whole thing in or just create a "top" like a carport top - over some of the areas? Are the hawks smart enough to get in around the edges? Or will a carport top deter them?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

They can get in around the edges if they want. So it depends on how determined they are. It does help, though, to have any cover you can. So some is better than nothing, for sure.

 

[KFaye]

What about the black plastic bird netting. I used that over my runs. Got it from home depot.

 

[bobbieschicks]

What about the black plastic bird netting. I used that over my runs. Got it from home depot.

How did you put fit up? Do you have a picture? Do you recall how much it cost?

 

[redhotchick]

Poultry netting & your problem is gone.Real easy solution.Cheap too. buy it on ebay. Get the heavy 2 inch & buy it bigger than you need. Its nylon & will last for years.

 

[bobbieschicks]

I ordered some aviary netting 2" 50'x50' to put over at least one side of the run - how do I do that? Do I make a pole in the middle to run it out like a tent? Do I have to put up some sort of structure to attach it to it? I haven't done this before so if anyone has suggestions or pictures of their own netting ideas - that would help me. Thanks!

 

[groundpecker]

For light wire you can put a sturdy post in the middle. Then run guide wires from the post to your other posts. Attach the netting to the guide wires. It will look like an old indian teepee, but should work if your posts are sturdy enough. Warning: snow, leaves and other debris may pile up on the netting and should be regularly cleaned to prevent failure.

By looking at your outside posts, i do not think they will hold top netting. I suggest using 4x4 post or some strong steel round posts set in concrete. Yes this will be more expensive, but why build something that will fail.

I build fencing for a living. You can contact me via PM for more suggestions if you wish.

 

[bobbieschicks]

I decided since I have junk CDs on hand I could string up a few. Hopefully the string and CDs will deter hawks for now while I await my netting. I probably have enough welded to wire in half the overhead area once I get some posts. But I don't want to rush and do that and then have to take it back down because it doesn't work for me.

My goal is to have one side of the outer run be a garden and the other side be for freeranging with wired areas between the two so no one gets into my garden. Then I intend to alternate sides each year. So that may pose an issue with wiring overhead. Does anyone else do this alternating garden/freerange thing now and has it worked for you?

I guess I could still wire it in somehow - but I don't want to have to garden around a bunch of poles - so I may have to do something like the pvc conduit pipe/tent thing I saw on one person's post.

My thoughts are to make the netting only cover 1/2 the run on the chicken's side each year and have it be moveable - how much trouble would that be? Would that be a good hawk deterrent or a person swearing because it's a nusiance problem moving around under the netting?

 

[gram of five]

I would recommend making it as "hawk proof" as possible. We have chicken wire over the top of our coop then plywood and tarp for the winter. We are building a completely new set up this spring (due to chicken math). I read somewhere on here no matter how critter proof your run is some critter will get in. I thought, well, I am glad I have "Hogwarts" here, no invaders in my girl's castle. Eat my words, we lost a RIR hen on Sunday to a hawk. The chick door was open so the girls could free range in our fenced garden while we were home and that darn hawk came right in their little door and took one of our little sweethearts life. We were lucky that my husband came upon it all just as the hawk got the chicken. The hawk was trapped and couldn't get back out. What a horrid time for our girls. They were all huddled under the coop. Couldn't save our one RIR, but the others will be safe from that hawk. So, I humbly repeat "no matter how critter proof your run is ........" Just do the best you can.