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ChickyChristina

ChickyChristina

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Oct 8, 2017
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Hello, I need expert chicken owner's advice. I am trying to keep my chickens as safe as possible. I only have 3 (Buff O., Barred Rock, and Easter Egger) since I live in the city limits. My husband and I converted a space in our insulated garage for the "coop" part that is covered with regular chicken wire/wood. It has a concrete floor (which I will add bedding) and does not have any holes or areas that would allow anything larger than a mouse in. It also has a motion sensored light. They have a door that leads to their run which has 2x2 thick wire fencing covered in a layer of chicken wire with a tarp on the top to try to keep hawks from spying them. The bottom edges of the run will be secured. My yard is small with no trees but some rose bushes. I plan on letting them out an hour or so a day supervised with access to the run and coop. They will not be in the run for long periods of time without one of us outside and/or checking on them frequently. We have a 6 foot fence around the backyard. Am I right that my main concern would be hawks? I have read advice about scarecrows and hanging CD but people have shared mixed reviews. Also, I have 3 small dogs that I keep an eye on, but not sure a hawk would be scared of them. I would apprecitate any advice or changing anything mentioned or new ideas on how to keep them safe.
 
G’Day from down under ChickyChristina :frow Welcome!

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.

You might want to also Find Your State Thread and pop in and say hello.

Personally, I have found the Topic of the Week articles a great resource and a one stop shop for questions which may have already been discussed within the BYC membership group. There is a discussion under the Predator and Pests on Keeping the Flock Safe and you could also try the Predators & Pests Forum.

I wish you and your flock all the best!

One tip I do have is that if you are going to let them out for a supervised free range, mix up the days and time that you do that. I used to let my girls out every afternoon at 3pm which, because of their 'demanding' to be let out became 2PM, 2PM became 1PM .... fast forward to 7AM and all day free ranging! Luckily we were not in a Hawk area then but we are now and I am ensuring that any free range is done randomly so I do not fall into the same trap again :p

Oh and if you would like to share pictures and stories of your flock, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out ;)
 
Hi and welcome to BYC. You have some great advice from Teila. From what i have read, hawks tend to stay away from dogs, so if your dogs are ok with your birds, then you should be fine.
 
Hi and welcome to BYC :frow We're so happy that you've decided to join our little flock:ya I'd probably also put 2' of 1/2" hardware cloth along the bottom of your run with a no dig apron. There are a lot of four legged predators that reach through chicken wire to get at birds.
 
Welcome Wagon.gif
You have a great start!
I live in the city and we have a lot of hawks here. I have not had a hawk attack yet
 
Hi and welcome! I hope you enjoy being a BYC member! :welcome

As for your chicks, I would let them free range an hour a day. But don't be fooled, hawks are smart. If you have a regular schedule of taking them out, the hawks will figure it out. They will find a time when you take your eyes of the chooks.... and swoop down. Take them out at different times each day to mix the schedule up. Best wishes! :)
 

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