Hawk ideas - ChickenBerlla?!

[2 Chicks and a Lamb]

Hello,

In 2023 I lost 50% of my flock (3 birds ) to hawks! I have a few ideas but want to share the craziest. Also want to hear from yall!

So my crazy idea. A chicken umbrella! Aka chickbrella. Basically just place umberllas around the run or property to protect over head attacks.

Why I say an umberlla and not say a half put together 2x4 shelter is 1. Easy of function. 2. Multi funtion. 3. Upcycle

For me I like ease of function to just place and forget. Also I can use the shade for me or other things if it doesnt work. Also, if I get some for cheap, what a great way to reuse it. Also, I enjoy the beach themed idea of having a bench of umbrellas around my property

What are your ways of protecting your flock? P.s. I havent tried this, but will give it a go

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Clever idea.
I didn't take many precautions except with one flock with a large chain link dog pen that I covered partly with galvanized roofing and the rest with welded wire fencing.
Later, I kept roosters with each flock. They were fairly large, agile Mediterranean breeds and being super alert, I never lost another hen or chick to hawks. They would see the hawk coming, made the aerial predator call and the hens would run for cover. Looking across the property and all you saw was roosters standing like statues all waiting for the interloper. Woe to the hawk that tried to take any one of them on. They were never successful. After bringing the hawk down, they would slowly stride back to where the hens were hiding. The hawk would stagger to its feet, fly off and never return.

 

[Logar]

That is pretty much what I have been doing to an extent. I made some ~2x1.5 foot flat wood planks out of old pallets which I then just attached to trees by some rope to provide some slight shelter from hawks and other aerial predators.

I know I explained this horribly so I will get some pics tomorrow if I don’t get distracted

 

[user651618]

Some low growing bushy fruit trees like figs or mulberry can provide overhead cover and some free chicken food when in season. A good roo is also an excellent early warning system/muscle if you can have one.

 

[Logar]

 

[texsuze]

IMHO umbrellas placed around your property could be a setup for problems: high winds dislodging and blowing them around (dangerous), noisy when they flap (scary), you get the picture.

In addition to having lots of native trees and bushes where my girls free-range, I've made "chook huts" using wooden pallets so they have plenty of cover.

Initially I made "A"-frame configurations (one pallet cut in half, attached at the top, set on ground) but they fall apart easily. Now I take two decent sized wooden pallets-- use one whole pallet as the flat roof surface and cut the second pallet in half to make the sides that the roof sits on. Like an upside down "U"-shaped structure, using screws, bracing, etc. to make sturdy. I cover mine with shadecloth stapled over the roof and partially down the sides. Looks tacky but the girls love them; plenty of headroom but low enough so they can jump on top if they want. Have three in various locations right now and plan to make a fourth.

 

[2 Chicks and a Lamb]

Clever idea.
I didn't take many precautions except with one flock with a large chain link dog pen that I covered partly with galvanized roofing and the rest with welded wire fencing.
Later, I kept roosters with each flock. They were fairly large, agile Mediterranean breeds and being super alert, I never lost another hen or chick to hawks. They would see the hawk coming, made the aerial predator call and the hens would run for cover. Looking across the property and all you saw was roosters standing like statues all waiting for the interloper. Woe to the hawk that tried to take any one of them on. They were never successful. After bringing the hawk down, they would slowly stride back to where the hens were hiding. The hawk would stagger to its feet, fly off and never return.

Thank you for your post. I’m raising a RIR rooster. Never had a rooster so I’m interested to see how it helps. I would love to sit and watch your roosters defend his flock from the hawk. T

 

[2 Chicks and a Lamb]

View attachment 3873736View attachment 3873737

Love it! Thank you for sharing. I can see how I can do this on my property

 

[2 Chicks and a Lamb]

IMHO umbrellas placed around your property could be a setup for problems: high winds dislodging and blowing them around (dangerous), noisy when they flap (scary), you get the picture.

In addition to having lots of native trees and bushes where my girls free-range, I've made "chook huts" using wooden pallets so they have plenty of cover.

Initially I made "A"-frame configurations (one pallet cut in half, attached at the top, set on ground) but they fall apart easily. Now I take two decent sized wooden pallets-- use one whole pallet as the flat roof surface and cut the second pallet in half to make the sides that the roof sits on. Like an upside down "U"-shaped structure, using screws, bracing, etc. to make sturdy. I cover mine with shadecloth stapled over the roof and partially down the sides. Looks tacky but the girls love them; plenty of headroom but low enough so they can jump on top if they want. Have three in various locations right now and plan to make a fourth

IMHO umbrellas placed around your property could be a setup for problems: high winds dislodging and blowing them around (dangerous), noisy when they flap (scary), you get the picture.

In addition to having lots of native trees and bushes where my girls free-range, I've made "chook huts" using wooden pallets so they have plenty of cover.

Initially I made "A"-frame configurations (one pallet cut in half, attached at the top, set on ground) but they fall apart easily. Now I take two decent sized wooden pallets-- use one whole pallet as the flat roof surface and cut the second pallet in half to make the sides that the roof sits on. Like an upside down "U"-shaped structure, using screws, bracing, etc. to make sturdy. I cover mine with shadecloth stapled over the roof and partially down the sides. Looks tacky but the girls love them; plenty of headroom but low enough so they can jump on top if they want. Have three in various locations right now and plan to make a fourth.

Didn’t even think that the umbrella would make noises that could scare the chickens. Thanks for the heads up and what you have made

 

[123RedBeard]

How about one (or more) of those 12' square canopies that you see vendors at fairs or flea markets use? They could be lowered down near the ground for chickens, and popped up to full height if you wanted to share them.

2 pallets leaned up against each other with wire or twine holding the tops together to form an "A" frame ...