Hawk trying to get in chicken run!

[CrazyGoldsberry]

I just caught a hawk trying to get into our chicken run. We jabber bird being on top of a chained link dog rub for our chicken run. The hawk flew away when I came down to investigate the cries of our little chickens but it looked like it was trying to get in through the netting. One of my chicks was so scared that it tried going through the chained link fence and got caught. How do I prevent a hawk from getting through the netting? Or deter it? We are planning on putting chicken wire or hardware cloth around the bottom of the fencing as well as barrying some a foot or so out to keep out raccoons. But do I need to put something stronger than bird being on top of the run or will the hawk give up and move on?

 

[Folly's place]

Good netting or chicken wire will keep hawks out of the coop, but you really need hardware cloth, at least around the lower part of your run, and ideally all over it. The more hardware cloth, the safer. Forget about chicken wire as predator control! Many predators can climb up and get through netting or chicken wire anywhere, although hawks won't. If you have a very safe coop, and lock your birds in every night, most of your worst problems will be over. Mary

 

[centrarchid]

Deer netting is better for keeping hawks out although it will not stop a raccoon. You might consider having birds go into coop that is a lot tougher at night.