hawk found our chickens!

[LyonFuzz]

I put up fishing line zig-zagged over the top of my run after finding a hawk in there and it has worked wonderfully so far. Keep zig-zagging it until there are no openings big enough for the hawk to "jump" down in through. One could perch on a post or top of fence and then drip down. I also hung several CDs from trees and nailed them to the tops of my fence posts and the birds do not like them at all. Something about the glare that makes them want to avoid them. The fishing line is cheap and is not unsightly at all as you can barely even see it unless you are right up next to it. Good luck!

 

[farmerwnb]

Right before dusk we had a small hawk/ falcon come gliding about 10' over our freeranging chickens in the yard. It landed in the trees across the road and eye-balled them. It left a while later. I don't think it was interested in the full sized hens, but the silkies. The roo out with them is easily twice as big as the Hawk/ falcon and he stamped arround making warning sounds while posturing at it.

 

[bburn]

Today we had a hawk...that I did not see....out at the chicken coop. I HEARD the call of the rooster and then everyone else was really loud. I went out with hoe in hand to find the pullets that are in a separate cage hidden behind their little next box and everyone else in the big coop. The noise was so loud. It took them a good thirty minutes to calm down after I got out there and they KEPT watching the sky. So I feel I am right about the hawk.

I am going out in the morning to add a second layer of just chicken wire....for just in case....on top of the welded wire that does not have small openings. I know that if a hawk dropped in there that he could reek havoc but I also know he could not fly out and that is the only reason we have not had one inside yet. I think they can tell that getting out would be impossible with their wings spread. I am out in the country with plenty in the woods for them to eat. HOWEVER....after today I am going to double layer it. For just in case and because my DH is out of state working and I can get away with putting it up there without him here. We have had this converstion. He thinks what we have is enough.

This is the time of year for sure for the hawks. Have seen them when I was driving up the mountain. The more they have to get tangled up in before I can get out there the better for me and my chicken!

And I only let them free range the garden next to the pen and only if I am sitting there in a lawn chair with bottle rockets in hand. Everyone laughs at me but I have healthy chickens and have not lost any.....unlike others I know....ahum...my neighbors!

 

[adbayer]

i have 5 widdle baby chickies, and 8 in the 'bator/under a chicken butt.. hopefully, HOPEFULLY! one of those is a roo. we just got rid of a tophat roo- i didnt think i wanted one, but now i am wanting a big protective guy! the top hat wouldnt have been very big anyways, im hoping one of the BCM eggs are a roo!


i HATE hawks! after doing a little googling, turns out this guy is evidently about full size, not a small hawk. my husband told me i couldnt use the rifle on them

i know they are protected and all, but grr! that must be so scary for the girls! however, the air soft pistol is loaded next to my bedroom window that faces the coop, so maybe next time i can deter him a bit. i will def load up on bottle rockets next year. . . . now im on the hunt for cd's. maybe if i put them on the tops of the fence planks and throw a few on top of the coop it will deter him. we WILL be expanding their run, so that they can have more room, because idk if i am okay with them being outside when im not anymore. my husband will be out of town for a week so when we go in to the city i will pick up a flock block to entertain them until he can come back home to help me expand the coop. maybe the big girls wont pick on my littles for the time being.

stupid hawks.


any tips on the fishing line is much appreciated. (infact, anything at all is much appreciated, thank you all so much!)

 

[bburn]

Someone said they got pinwheels that were metallic and in different colors and put the all over the pen. The slightest breeze will make them spin....I keep forgetting to look for them when I am in town.

I just keep adding things that maybe will make my coop and run more secure!

 

[Mattemma]

I have some pinwheels on bamboo stakes. I also put cd's on other bamboo stakes that I have zip ties on to hold the cd. I read that red mylar ribbon will help deter. Everything will deter for a time,but those hawks will keep trying to get the easy meal.

I hope *my* hawk dies real soon.Then we will have some peace before the next one moves into the area.