Best way to cover run to protect from hawks?

[Bubba1]

I am in the middle of building my run (15 x 40) and am wondering what people think is the best way to cover it up to protect from hawks (our neighbor lost a few to red-tailed hawks before covering up with aviary netting). It seems that poultry fencing or netting could work, but could that collapse under the weight of snow? I don't want to break the bank either, but want to protect the chickens.

 

[the1much]

if the holes in your netting are big enough,, 2 inch's , then you shouldnt have any problems with snow,, some put up 2 long poles at each end, and run a rope between them, and then in the middle of that rope, you hang another rope down to your netting ( is best to use like a piece of wood under the netting, and tie the "hanging" rope to that) then you can pull on the "pole" rope and higher or lower the netting,, i keep mine like a peak of a roof,,or like a pyramid,, in case you get that "wet" snow.

 

[Chirpy]

Another solution, if you don't want to or can't put netting/wire across the entire top is to hang old CD's every few feet. It seems to mess with a hawks ability to feel safe swooping down into the coop.

I personally haven't done this but have heard this from others on here.

 

[dacjohns]

I used posts with 2 X 4s between them making a frame and then put chickenwire on it.

 

[nccountrygirl]

Quote:
I have cd's hung from mine and it seems to work well. When the sunlight hits them it produces a prism effect which I have been told scares away hawks. It's really pretty at night when they turn in the wind and the moon gets reflected off of them.

 

[ChickaD]

What an innovative, cool idea!

Have you ever had any problems with racoons climbing up and over the sides of the run? We did, until we covered the top. I love the CD's idea, though, and what a way to recycle.

 

[Omran]

Hello,First time I covered it with tarp,but the best way was the seconed time when I put steel sheets on top

 

[Jenski]

Omran, that is a sweet setup! Your chix can scratch around in the pouring rain. It's good to be a handy-chickenperson (or, at least, I IMAGINE it would be good, LOL).

 

[The Chicken Lady]

I would suggest a metal or slanted shingle-covered roof. Here in Michigan, those designs work great in the winter.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

I use a tin roof. It helps not only with prediators but, snow and rain. The run has been a lot dryer since we switched.