Hawk stalking chickens! Help!

[TSWisla]

I have had a similar problem. I have a 16 x 8 run for them, but they love to come out. I just walk around with them when I can and they rest of the time, they hang out in the run. I built them roosting bars and they seem to like it a lot. I wish that I could leave them out all of the time, but if that means that I will lose some of them, then I don't do it.

 

[TSWisla]

 

[Hens rule]

My coops 60 feet by 20 feet. Do they sell any netting that big?

 

[pachicken]

Usually at what age will a chicken be safe from hawks?

 

[Zoomie]

Usually at what age will a chicken be safe from hawks?

Welcome to BYC!

Never. Chickens can always be killed by hawks.

If you don't want your chickens to ever be killed by hawks, keep them in a covered run.

 

[pachicken]

Thanks #45 - I was just thinking they pick them up and fly away, so I was thinking the weight of the chicken wouldn't allow the pick up

 

[Zoomie]

Thanks #45 - I was just thinking they pick them up and fly away, so I was thinking the weight of the chicken wouldn't allow the pick up

A big ol' red tailed hawk, and a female (they are bigger than the males) weighs three pounds. It is physically impossible for a red tail (and they are one of the biggest hawks) to pick up a chicken and fly away with it. What they do is kill the chicken on the ground, and then eat it on the ground. So in a way, you are right: they can not pick the chicken up and fly away with it. However, they already know this, and they simply eat them on the ground. Alas, the fact they can't fly away with them is no help at all.

 

[pachicken]

This is horrible since we did see one the other day - my biggest fear i thought is the coyotes the size of german shepherds that jump my fences.

 

[Chicks252]

We covered our run area with that orange construction fencing. For the money it was VERY cost effective.and easy to work with. Still have Hawks around but we keep a close eye on our girls.

 

[Chicks252]

Hens rule--- we used orange construction fencing.$20 for 4 x 100 feet. Just used a staple gun to attach to the top of our run.