Hawk attack?

[Folly's place]

I used to find steel zip ties, and they would work well. Haven't seen them in a long time though.
Mary

 

[termeerchick]

G.A.A.AREAT!!!!! I went to lock my chickens up in their coop for the night and one is missing. I think she’s hiding somewhere because she’s afraid to go back in the coop. I’ve looked for her for hours now and I can’t find her anywhere. Or she’s egg bound somewhere from being so stressed out. AAGGHHH!!! I am sooooo upset and at this point I want to strangle that raccoon. I hope she’s ok tonight and she comes walking up in the morning.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Thank you! Yes that’s what I am planning on using, 1/2 inch hardware cloth. Do you know what would work best to secure it to the chain link fence?

I used the black UV resistant zip ties to attach 1 inch chicken wire and tarp to dog kennel fence. It's cheap at TSC and easy to install. . GC

 

[NDchickenlady]

A couple of days ago I did my morning chicken check and my camera rounds. All was fine. I went on an appointment and to do some errands. When I came back the birds were seriously fussing so I went out to check and there was a big hawk in one of the pens and bodies everywhere. I found a gap in the netting that covers the pens and fixed it. I lost 15 birds. There is another bird I don't think is going to make it but I'm doing my best. My thought is that either the hawk had some help or it was attacking the birds as they were running around. I was surprised to find so many dead birds. You never know. I feel mad at myself for not noticing the gap in the netting. Yesterday I checked all of the pens to make sure there weren't any more places I missed.

Oh I am so sorry!!!

 

[Criticalicious]

I get hardware cloth cheaper on Amazon. For the coop where I had wood to attach it, I used truss screws. In other places I use zip ties. You can find them cheap at Harbor Freight. If you have electric fencing around the whole area, you're less likely to see ground predators. I worry more about domestic dogs or coyotes than raccoons because they could do more damage.

 

[termeerchick]

G.A.A.AREAT!!!!! I went to lock my chickens up in their coop for the night and one is missing. I think she’s hiding somewhere because she’s afraid to go back in the coop. I’ve looked for her for hours now and I can’t find her anywhere. Or she’s egg bound somewhere from being so stressed out. AAGGHHH!!! I am sooooo upset and at this point I want to strangle that raccoon. I hope she’s ok tonight and she comes walking up in the morning.

Yep!!! Thank goodness she came walking up this morning

 

[MROO]

We thought our puppy had attacked our chickens. Today we had 3 large hawks hovering over the coop! What do hawks do to chickens? Attack or take them? Chickens were found with all feathers missing off their backs.

If they eat them in place, you'll usually find feathers and a skull. They eat everything else. That's how we found our little Rue, ages ago, and it was heartbreaking. No more free-ranging for us!
Dogs, especially young dogs and puppies, don't generally leave wounded birds. They'll usually keep at them until they catch them all. They don't usually eat them, either. They're more interested in the "fun squeaky toy factor." Once the "toy" stops moving, they head for the next mobile target. It makes for a better game, that way!

 

[MROO]

A couple of days ago I did my morning chicken check and my camera rounds. All was fine. I went on an appointment and to do some errands. When I came back the birds were seriously fussing so I went out to check and there was a big hawk in one of the pens and bodies everywhere. I found a gap in the netting that covers the pens and fixed it. I lost 15 birds. There is another bird I don't think is going to make it but I'm doing my best. My thought is that either the hawk had some help or it was attacking the birds as they were running around. I was surprised to find so many dead birds. You never know. I feel mad at myself for not noticing the gap in the netting. Yesterday I checked all of the pens to make sure there weren't any more places I missed.

Hawks don't usually massacre, like that, but if it was trapped in the run, or even just thought it was trapped, I could see it doing just that. So Sorry!

 

[MROO]

Oh my gosh thank you soooo much!!! I’ll absolutely use the 1/2” hardware cloth. Do I get it from the hardware store? Also what would you use to secure it to the chain link fence? @Criticalicious and @Folly's place
I had no idea that the raccoons could get through chicken wire!!! My poor girls have been through the ringer and are so stressed. I feel so bad for them.

Yup - that's a hard one for most people , I mean it's called "chicken wire" right? It's designed to keep chickens in, not predators out!
You can use hog rings to attach the hardware cloth to your fencing. They're basically just loops with a cut in them, like a jewelry ring, only much bigger, so you can crimp it on with a pair of pliers. If you have a big area to do, go ahead and invest in a pair of crimpers, instead. It'll save you a lot of pain in your hands and wrists! Both should be available at your local hardware or farm supply store. If you have a Walmart, it'll probably have them, too ... a lot cheaper!

 

[cmom]

I used to find steel zip ties, and they would work well. Haven't seen them in a long time though.
Mary

I have seen them at Ace Hardware but they are quite expensive compared.