Hawk!

[Jenbirdee]

Here is what I have done over the past 5 years (we have a lot of hawks flying over and have not lost any ducks to them thanks God) At first I got a lot of bamboo from a friend and I made 'teepees" all over the duck yard (just used 4 sticks and some twine) Also put all my large potted plants scattered around, and yes a picnic table, some benches, several yard chairs (the big plastic ones, when it's going to be windy I flip them upside down and they stay put & ducks can still get under them.) Over the years I have also added a lot of stumps in their yard (big logs from trees we had cut down) and I stick huge garden stakes around with artificial flowers ziptied to the tops... I have planted small trees and bushes, used plastic shelving unit sections as tables with a heavy boards on top, I got 2 big industrial 'spools' and put upside down baby pools on them and a large stone to hold in place... also in the summer I set up big beach umbrellas to give them extra shade (and additional safety from aerial predators.)..
I guess it sounds crazy but actually looks pretty cool and the ducks love it... so many places to hide!! I always have an eye out for anything like little tables that people are giving away.

 

[DuckDuckJuice]

Here is what I have done over the past 5 years (we have a lot of hawks flying over and have not lost any ducks to them thanks God) At first I got a lot of bamboo from a friend and I made 'teepees" all over the duck yard (just used 4 sticks and some twine) Also put all my large potted plants scattered around, and yes a picnic table, some benches, several yard chairs (the big plastic ones, when it's going to be windy I flip them upside down and they stay put & ducks can still get under them.) Over the years I have also added a lot of stumps in their yard (big logs from trees we had cut down) and I stick huge garden stakes around with artificial flowers ziptied to the tops... I have planted small trees and bushes, used plastic shelving unit sections as tables with a heavy boards on top, I got 2 big industrial 'spools' and put upside down baby pools on them and a large stone to hold in place... also in the summer I set up big beach umbrellas to give them extra shade (and additional safety from aerial predators.)..
I guess it sounds crazy but actually looks pretty cool and the ducks love it... so many places to hide!! I always have an eye out for anything like little tables that people are giving away.

Wow! That’s a lot! I would love to see a picture of your set-up. I just finished cutting a bunch of mirrored glass (I do stained glass as a hobby) and am planning on attaching it to fishing line to tie from our tree to the fence, across the main stretch that is most exposed. I read that hawks are generally deterred by moving reflective surfaces because the flashes of light disturb their vision. Hopefully it works. I’m trying to be subtle with our deterrents. We live in a somewhat prude-ish neighborhood and already get occasional dirty looks for our exterior decor.

 

[Jenbirdee]

I love to share pictures! Thanks for asking!

 

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

S S S

 

[Jenbirdee]

Super Secret Squirrel ?

S S S

 

[Isadora]

Super Secret Squirrel ?

Shoot, shovel, shut up

 

[Isadora]

I love to share pictures! Thanks for asking!

Your setup is amazing! What a ducky paradise.

 

[DuckDuckJuice]

I love to share pictures! Thanks for asking!

Incredible! I’m envious! You have quite a lot more space than we do. We’re looking to move out somewhere with a little more land eventually, but for now we have a 50’x100’ backyard that is 3/4 taken up by a two-car garage and workshop, as well as driveway and large deck. The ducks have plenty of space still and we even managed to put in a fairly large biofilter pond for them, but I would love for them to have more. Oh, well. I’ll just live vicariously through your pictures for now!

 

[igorsMistress]

I love to share pictures! Thanks for asking!

Wow! Beautiful place for your ducks! I have some bamboo poles and twine in the shed, hmmmm.

We also have hawks as well as owls and I couldn’t agree more with lots of shrubs. I also have a picnic table and a couple of other structures my ducks can get under. Be sure not to create spaces where they can get cornered, always leave more than one way out.

 

[addctd2plnts]

We put ours in a movable walk in pen that we move every day, from Stromberg's Poultry. We have tons of Hawks and even Eagles some times of the year. Haven't lost a duck yet!