- Aug 24, 2011
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We started our chicken operation about 3 weeks ago and in that time, we've lost one cockerel to a horrific accident involving our five year old (should we add children to the list of predators?) and then yesterday, the replacement cockerel got annhilated by a hawk. The chickens who evidently witnessed the hawk attack would NOT leave the roost bar in the henhouse today at all. We ended up relocating water and food into the henhouse but they panic when we try to get them to even poke their heads out into the fully enclosed run. I'm concerned, to say the least, and have no idea what to expect with chicken behavior after an attack. It was a HUGE hawk and the damage to the buff orp male was something I had never experienced before. I'm starting to think we may be more successful at having a chicken graveyard than a working laying operation.
Does anyone use or recommend using fishing line/monofilament across the top of the open "ranging area" to prevent hawk attacks? What about aviary netting? We'd love to let them free range but now - #1: we can't them to even come out into the caged area of the coop and #2: the hawk is still around.
Thanks for your help!
Does anyone use or recommend using fishing line/monofilament across the top of the open "ranging area" to prevent hawk attacks? What about aviary netting? We'd love to let them free range but now - #1: we can't them to even come out into the caged area of the coop and #2: the hawk is still around.
Thanks for your help!