Do you think this would work as a hawk deterrent? (WACKY Invention Idea)

[Britt007]

I know this is kinda crazy but here goes:


My lone hen (it's a long story) is not free ranged. She stays in a coop with a small pen of sand and during the day, I move her to another small tractor style pen that I move around our fenced in back yard. She seems happy enough but I know she'd be much happier if she could wander our entire back yard. I live in Nashville and although I haven't seen hawks near my property, other locals have lost chickens to hawks in the area.

I know there are chicken harnesses you can buy or make- would it be possible to attach something to the harness that hawks find unappealing? like a sort of umbrella fold out of aluminum foil? or just something that makes the chicken appear larger or just too odd to eat? I know this wouldn't work for people with a lot of chickens or people who's chickens could get caught up in brush although it could be a break away kind of harness.

Wellllllll?? what do you think of my wacky idea?

 

[sourland]

What about a chicken saddle with large 'eyes' on either side?

 

[aart]

You can buy chicken 'saddles' with 'predator eyes on them...I wouldn't bank on them tho.

I've read that some birds won't tolerate wearing the saddles and of one wearing the 'predator eyes' saddle being attacked by bird of prey.

Anything that makes the bird appear bigger would likely upset, disorient and limit the birds movements...which wouldn't be fun.

She's probably plenty happy in her run and tractor...and she's safe.

 

[Britt007]

Thanks for the information. Yeah, I'll probably just keep her safe... And a little bored.

 

[cackle2]

Not that this is an option, but what about a second chicken?
And I vote for safe but a little bored.