Hawk netting - anyone have pictures?

[6of6chicks]

Can anyone share pictures of netting that they have over large run, specifically to keep out hawks? I'm expanding my run area and have heard people talk about netting, but I'm not sure what it looks like (or what it is actually called)?

Thanks!!

 

[Kelsie2290]

http://cutlersupply.com/zen_new51/i...Path=9&zenid=747cc26de0899e34d558b3c60ac598ed This kind is pretty popular, I like the Heavy Weight Toprite for something that lasts a long time. Another is the deer netting, there are different quality ones also, not nearly as sturdy but a lot cheaper http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Gardener...1404658434&sr=8-1&keywords=deer+fence+netting

 

[gritsar]

What I use to cover a small portion of my largest pen (the part that's not covered by an extra heavy duty tarp) is called Bird Netting. Tractor Supply, Atwoods and Walmart sell it in their gardening sections, marketed as a netting to keep wild birds from eating the fruit or berries from trees and bushes. It's a type of nylon, but it lasts for a few years before needing replacement.

I used some this past week in my juvenile coop. The coop is divided by a half wall and I needed to create a temporary full barrier between the front section where my older chicks are and the back section that has week old chicks in it at the moment. A few of my juvies are good flyers and I didn't want them to be able to fly into the brooder section.

 

[6of6chicks]

This might be a stupid question, but do you think it would be effective under an oak tree?

I'm hoping to create a semi-free range area to give my girls access to grass. The plan is to put up 4 ft. fencing around an oak tree (approx. 30' x 20' area ) to prevent my chickens from wandering off, then use bird or maybe deer netting over the top (suspended high enough to walk under) to keep the hawks out. I just don't know if the hawks will sit in the tree and dive-bomb the netting? Or will the tree help hide the chickens from hawks altogether?

My girls can't free range because of hawks, so I'm trying to come up with a solution that gets them access to grass but doesn't involve building a large tractor. They would ONLY be in the bird-netting area for a few hours in the afternoon/early evening when I am home. It's not meant to keep anything other than hawks & my dogs out, and the girls would be safely back in the coop/run are long before dark.

Do you think the netting links from above would work for this? (And thank you for the links!)

 

[gritsar]

My large run is located under several large trees. I occasionally have to pick small twigs and leaves off of it but that's about it. Hawks are smart and tend to avoid anything that feels like a trap to them, but I can't say it's strong enough to keep dogs out.

 

[6of6chicks]

My large run is located under several large trees. I occasionally have to pick small twigs and leaves off of it but that's about it. Hawks are smart and tend to avoid anything that feels like a trap to them, but I can't say it's strong enough to keep dogs out.

Thanks - that is reassuring to hear.

The netting is just for over the top (I'm picturing a canopy). I'm going to use 2" x 4" welded wire for the fence (4 ft. high). My dogs are great with barriers, so that will be more than enough to keep them out.

Thank you for your help!

 

[gritsar]

Thanks - that is reassuring to hear.

The netting is just for over the top (I'm picturing a canopy). I'm going to use 2" x 4" welded wire for the fence (4 ft. high). My dogs are great with barriers, so that will be more than enough to keep them out.

Thank you for your help!

If I get the chance today I will take a pic of my largest run and post it for you. The large tarp(s) are peaked to keep rain from collecting and the netting provides them a place to be in the sunshine if they choose.
I free ranged for four years before I lost my first (and favorite) bird to a hawk. My birds now only free range in the evenings, with supervision.

 

[6of6chicks]

If I get the chance today I will take a pic of my largest run and post it for you. The large tarp(s) are peaked to keep rain from collecting and the netting provides them a place to be in the sunshine if they choose.
I free ranged for four years before I lost my first (and favorite) bird to a hawk. My birds now only free range in the evenings, with supervision.

That would be fantastic to see a picture. Thanks!!

I'm not exaggerating when I say that pretty much every time I walk outside I see at least one hawk circling overhead. Large hawks, owls (hooting during daytime, so I know they're around), and falcons (neighbor has a pair of golden falcons nesting on her property) - they seem to be everywhere. I'd love to let my girls wander the backyard, but I'd be a complete idiot for doing so. Just before I started building my coop I watched a hawk swoop down and carry of a bunny from my backyard. I took that as a warning, loud and clear! The bird netting seems like my best solution to let my girls get some grass time and still keep them somewhat safe. I have WAY too much time, money, and energy invested in these birds to let them become someone else's dinner!

 

[CHIKENROOKIE]

"Aviary netting"reasonable cost associated when compared to replacement birds. I found a fowl supplier close enough to me to pick up. I do free range, but they still love to go into netted area. It is a garden and I chose to not grow anything until the soil can recover after so long of back to back tomatoes. The soil is about shot.......getting almost free, ( yea, right ) fertilizer now.

The pic is my garden, area of 16x8 and smallest net I found is 25x25....note how I rolled up excess, I am trying to convince wife to let me make it tall enough for me to walk in it....baby steps.....I just finished coop #2, and next is to tackle the netting area. The netting I chose is 1x1 squares. I think mine cost me $65.00.

 

[aatx]

We used the deer/bird meeting you find at the store. Cut it into smaller strips and weaved it together with fishing line. Our run is 20' x 60' do to get the sides and peak, I made it closer to 30' wide and 70' long. We ran a cable about 8' tall.