Hawk

[VinceRusso]

Daughter came running back inside and said a big bird carried one of our girls away. So bummed because this was the hen that kinda kept to herself and never really joined in the flock but she was definitely warming up to us. I found all the other girls were in the coop hiding quite scared. I locked them in their run (wired all around) for the remainder of the day.

My son and I netted about 20x40 of their play area (fenced already) so now they are happily back outside. We've spotted the hawk once again swoop down but I suspect it saw the net because it flew away.

Do you think that the net is enough to deter the hawk or had anyone had a hawk tear through their netting to get their gals? Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It probably depends on how strong the netting is. A friend of mine covered his run with bird netting like that used to cover gamebird runs. A hawk got tangled in it and couldn't escape so he had to free it - carefully.

I had a long low hoop run about 20' X 5' and about 3' high. A little grow out coop was at one end. A hawk flew through the length of that tunnel.

 

[VinceRusso]

Thanks ChickenCanoe. That's the kind of netting I got too. Have to say I hope it does not get tangled in the net as I'm no looking forward to freeing it. I respect that its a predator and it can mess me up.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Just have some big leather gloves ready.

I think it is unlikely it will happen though. Most people that use them don't have an issue. Hawks are smart though. They'll sit on the side of the pen or in a tree exploring ways to get to their dinner.