Aerial protection idea

[linguini]

Here is a google satellite view of the area I'm looking to protect/cover (approx 50' x 35'). The green are three huge bushes that I need to go over (would need to cut them way back as they are mostly vines) - but I want to keep them for shade when they are outside.

I'm not sure how I could do a dreamcatcher weave.

Appreciate your input and suggestions!!

View attachment 4019849

If you choose to use aviary nettings, you can cover the area with no trees using aviary netting and attach (by staple) to the coop (assuming the black roof is the coop roof). Patch under the tree using deer net, and use nylon strings to stitch them together. We have trees in parts of the chicken yard, and that's what we did. The deer nets are easy to work with but sink more in icy weather, but holds very well. The aviary nettings catch less ice and snow, and much cheaper than deer nets.

The photo below shows the heavier snow load on the deer net, and no snow loads on the aviary net. This photo was taken before we figured out using the 2x2x8 to hold up the net.

 

[KyCoop]

I've been using Mason string for 5 yrs now. Agreed it will not stop a hungry hawk from getting in no matter what the pattern. Rather, it will interrupt a secret death dive bomb. It gives the ladies a chance to run for cover. I've personally witnessed this several times. I've also seen a hawk inside the yard looking confused as to how he got there and what to do next now that the chickens are just standing looking at him.
I've also seen them perched up on the power pole looking down try to figure out if a chicken dinner is on the menu but they fly off. I believe the string helps a lot and it's worth the effort to put it up a couple times a year.

 

[PoppasGrill]

Our chickens are good at looking out for hawks , as they grew up with the threat, and we have only lost a couple over the past 3 years to hawks. They free ranged daily.
Recently, 3+ months ago, FWC released 2 rehabilitated Eagles in our area. They have devistated our flock, 60 dead in the past 3 months. The shiney things and noisy kite that works on the hawks does not effect the Eagles.
They kill and settle to eat, get chased off by donkeys, then just go get another one in a different part of the pasture, donkeys chase them off again, etc, etc.
We don’t have an inclosed run, and the ladies are very irritated about not free ranging as much as they used to. We won’t let them out unless we are going to be out there to watch over them. Have still lost a few due to being in greenhouse or inside coops cleaning or watering when attacks happen.
Like Hawks, Eagles are federally protected, so is illegal to harm them , and they cannot be considered nuisance animals. FWC informed us that the Eagles are tagged and tracked.

 

[linguini]

Our chickens are good at looking out for hawks , as they grew up with the threat, and we have only lost a couple over the past 3 years to hawks. They free ranged daily.
Recently, 3+ months ago, FWC released 2 rehabilitated Eagles in our area. They have devistated our flock, 60 dead in the past 3 months. The shiney things and noisy kite that works on the hawks does not effect the Eagles.
They kill and settle to eat, get chased off by donkeys, then just go get another one in a different part of the pasture, donkeys chase them off again, etc, etc.
We don’t have an inclosed run, and the ladies are very irritated about not free ranging as much as they used to. We won’t let them out unless we are going to be out there to watch over them. Have still lost a few due to being in greenhouse or inside coops cleaning or watering when attacks happen.
Like Hawks, Eagles are federally protected, so is illegal to harm them , and they cannot be considered nuisance animals. FWC informed us that the Eagles are tagged and tracked.

60 dead? was that a typo? so sorry for you!

 

[thistlewick]

Our chickens are good at looking out for hawks , as they grew up with the threat, and we have only lost a couple over the past 3 years to hawks. They free ranged daily.
Recently, 3+ months ago, FWC released 2 rehabilitated Eagles in our area. They have devistated our flock, 60 dead in the past 3 months. The shiney things and noisy kite that works on the hawks does not effect the Eagles.
They kill and settle to eat, get chased off by donkeys, then just go get another one in a different part of the pasture, donkeys chase them off again, etc, etc.
We don’t have an inclosed run, and the ladies are very irritated about not free ranging as much as they used to. We won’t let them out unless we are going to be out there to watch over them. Have still lost a few due to being in greenhouse or inside coops cleaning or watering when attacks happen.
Like Hawks, Eagles are federally protected, so is illegal to harm them , and they cannot be considered nuisance animals. FWC informed us that the Eagles are tagged and tracked.

Check your county regs, you can actually get permission to shoot any bird of prey if they are harming your livestock. You just need to pay a fine and get permission to do so and also surrender the animal's corpse once you do. Depredation is a thing!

 

[Rick&Chris]

If you choose to use aviary nettings, you can cover the area with no trees using aviary netting and attach (by staple) to the coop (assuming the black roof is the coop roof). Patch under the tree using deer net, and use nylon strings to stitch them together. We have trees in parts of the chicken yard, and that's what we did. The deer nets are easy to work with but sink more in icy weather, but holds very well. The aviary nettings catch less ice and snow, and much cheaper than deer nets.

The photo below shows the heavier snow load on the deer net, and no snow loads on the aviary net. This photo was taken before we figured out using the 2x2x8 to hold up the net.

Wow, that's a lot of snow!!

We may try this approach with the netting, covering only the wide open spaces, would need to go up and over the coop as the roof is metal. I have had a brazen hawk sit on the cupola on the coop and just stare at the chickens. My jack russell was having a fit barking at it, and I got within 3 feet before it flew off. It was wild!

 

[linguini]

Wow, that's a lot of snow!!

We may try this approach with the netting, covering only the wide open spaces, would need to go up and over the coop as the roof is metal. I have had a brazen hawk sit on the cupola on the coop and just stare at the chickens. My jack russell was having a fit barking at it, and I got within 3 feet before it flew off. It was wild!

The reason why we covered up the entire area was because of a resident red shoulder hawk. It is still around after 4 years. This photo taken yesterday am. It's a beautiful, well fed hawk.

 

[PoppasGrill]

Check your county regs, you can actually get permission to shoot any bird of prey if they are harming your livestock. You just need to pay a fine and get permission to do so and also surrender the animal's corpse once you do. Depredation is a thing!

That’s why we contacted FWC. But , no, eagles and some hawks are Federally protected, which means prison time and up to 10k$ fine.

Yes, https://www.backyardchickens.com/members/linguini.600436/
54 hens and 6 Roosters, including our Brahma Alpha Roo.
We were at 120+ laying hens for our small egg farm.
The first attack took 14 hens in a few hours but we didn’t know what the predator was as they weren’t eaten, second was 16 hens 2 Roos just a couple days later. That’s when we found out about the Eagles and started making calls and found out about FWC releasing them in the area.

 

[PoppasGrill]

The reason why we covered up the entire area was because of a resident red shoulder hawk. It is still around after 4 years. This photo taken yesterday am. It's a beautiful, well fed hawk.

We checked on bird netting, but would have to cover our whole pasture, as our hens refuse to stay close to covered area. For some reason the Ladies will stay near the coops on days we don’t see the Eagles, but the second we see a hawk or an Eagle the Ladies will go into the pasture.
Donkeys will chase Eagle off and stand over the dead chicken. When an attack happens the girls run to the coops, but when we try to get there to close them in they come out and spread again like Sister wasn’t just murdered .

 

[Rick&Chris]

The reason why we covered up the entire area was because of a resident red shoulder hawk. It is still around after 4 years. This photo taken yesterday am. It's a beautiful, well fed hawk.

Beautiful bird!!

We have a nesting pair of red tail hawks, and the fly-by Cooper’s hawks. There are bald eagles nearby but the red tails keep them at bay, thankfully! Here’s a pic of our resident red tail, hence the need for protection!! My 20# dog chases them off, but I fear for her, too!