Hawk Problems...what covers your run?

[ivan3]

We have a couple of big hickories in, and others surrounding, the runs. We have used CD's with good results (hawks have yet to stoop into, or even sit on run fencing/roof peaks).

If you don't have 6ft., or higher, fencing the CD's can be mounted, shiny side up (see thread below) and slid down over springs liberated from ink pens that have been screwed to one end of old garden poles, etc. with the other end of pole shoved in ground (a breeze is enough to move the CD/spring).

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=44145

 

[loopityloop]

I didn't read the whole thread, so apologies if this was already mentioned.

I have mine covered in chicken wire (which is sagging....I need to work on it when the weather is reasonable again)

I've had a redtailed hawk on top of the chicken wire trying to break in.

I read the forums here, and some said to hang CD's in the yard. I hung 3 I believe in the coup below the chicken wire....and the hawk has circled overhead but hasn't tried to break into the run since. It seems to work.

 

[LynneP]

Our run is roofed with PalRuf, corrugated vinyl. We're in the middle of the Atlantic Flyway, so large numbers of raptors pass through here. In addition we're at the edge of the woods in a protection zone for the pine marten. So we knew from the beginning that we had to make the run very tight. You can see it in the link below!

 

[PandoraTaylor]

When the Eagles started circling the yard, I tarped my run. I have to go out and remove snow alot, but at least the chickens are safe!

 

[gsim]

Quote:
Chicken wire is good against hawks, but useless against coons, dogs, coyotes, and badgers. There are different types of wildlife netting that will do overhead against hawks and owls. To protect against coons, best to have a good hot fence charger on 24-7. Also good is a sizable dog that has free run of the area and stays out overnight. If run is very small for only a few chooks, then just do 2x4 welded wire overhead and you might get by without the fence charger. I like the electrified fence because it permanently trains everything that touches it to avoid it at all costs.

Regards what I use against hawks, it is resident crows (when they are there) I am also going to mount a plastic owl on one post, looking in to run. It is sure to attract crows for an hour or so until they discover that they cannot make it move. Or not, since it is on my deck now and only repelled them for 2 hours there!

Could be that I am on borrowed time since my run is open and very large and really would be hard to cover with a net or roof of any kind. CD's on strings criss-crossed might help.

 

[ray2310]

I am using the 2x2 knotted poultry netting. I know it won't kep coon's out but the girls are closed up in the coop at night.

 

[cheeps]

Douglaspeeps....I hung them out yesterday, and my elderly neighbor Miss Jo (who is the best neighbor EVER and keeps watch on everything that goes on in the entire town) came out within 10 minutes to see what in the world I was doing and why...she's so cute. Anyway, the CD's are up hanging and flashing in the breeze so now the whole town thinks I'm a crazy chicken lady, which I am!

When the batteries get charged up on the camera, I'll post pics. It looks weird, but anything for my babies!


Has anyone had issues with predators causing chickens not to lay. I've tried everything to make my girls start laying again. And it's not the molt, they're all different ages and the ones that molted have been done and beautiful again for about two months. I got my last egg the day before my wedding which was Sept. 19th. Did they not want their parents to get married? LOL But since discovering the hawk problem, I wonder if he has terrorized them so much that they stopped laying?

 

[Amethyste]

We have our run covered with deer/garden netting. Its rather strong....but to make sure the hawks see it and know its there, we attached bright flourecent pink bits of plastic ribbon stuff we got at the hardware store. We jsut have it spaced at intervals, little pink bows on the top of run lol

Its been 5 years and its been good.... no hawk attacks <knock on wood>. We have had a few nearby, but they have not even tried to go thru the top. I think the bows make them think tis not enough room. We just replace them every year as the weather gets them faded and they fall apart.

I have a spoft spot for birds of prey tho....I know they are only doing what comes natural to them, so I can't blame them at all. We all know chicken tastes good!! Same with the other animals that try to come after the girls. All i can do is my best to keep them safe, but I can't fault the predator for thinking they look good enough to eat!

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

I'm sure your girls are just taking a nice well deserved winter break.

 

[Joann McDaniel]

Question from a newbie suburb chicken owner. Doesn't the chicken run need to have a roof over it to keep coons, foxes etc. out? Or are you all with the hanging CD reflecting hawk deterrents (cool idea!) locking your hens in every night in the coop? We have been moving a dog cage around the yard and letting the chickens run free for a couple of hours if I get home from work early enough. But I am growing weary of doing this and feel bad when I don't get home before dark several days in a row and my 4 girls have been stuck in an 4' X 4' inch space. I am thinking of making a larger more permanent run, but need to keep the cost low.