My run is an "aviary" 7' tall, 8'x10' with the coop and door to the run acting as one of the 8'walls. I roofed it with chicken wire tightly attached to 1x4's on edge. I have a center-brace of 1x4 flat at the midline, where the wire overlaps. I also have a 1x on edge crossing that, so each open area is only 4'x5' unsupported.
I'm in the middle of a small town, but we have a hawk that visits the neighborhood every spring. I think it's looking for baby squirrels - it's about that time of year. The crows and robins gang up on it and run it out of town. Quite a sight.
I heard a horrible squawking one day, and went outside. The hens were free in the yard, but when I got there not a one could be found. They had all scattered and found different hiding places. Then I saw the hawk on the 6' back fence. My wife and I started yelling and waving our arms at it - and it flew INTO the yard! Bold! I threw a rake at it (first thing at hand) and it left.
That was before I had the run built. The "temp" run was a ring of welded-wire with a loose (and annoying top of chicken wire tied on with cable ties.
I'm in the middle of a small town, but we have a hawk that visits the neighborhood every spring. I think it's looking for baby squirrels - it's about that time of year. The crows and robins gang up on it and run it out of town. Quite a sight.
I heard a horrible squawking one day, and went outside. The hens were free in the yard, but when I got there not a one could be found. They had all scattered and found different hiding places. Then I saw the hawk on the 6' back fence. My wife and I started yelling and waving our arms at it - and it flew INTO the yard! Bold! I threw a rake at it (first thing at hand) and it left.
That was before I had the run built. The "temp" run was a ring of welded-wire with a loose (and annoying top of chicken wire tied on with cable ties.
