Hawk!

[Squirrelgirl88]

I'm down a life. I just had a Cooper's Hawk grab one of my hens in the yard. Luckilly she seemed to be too heavy for the hawk. She squaked, it let go and flew to a near by tree. I ran to her and the hawk flew off. She's not even hurt, just a few ruffled feathers. I am not ok. Breathing hard, watching the sky. I'll have nightmares about that one. Has anyone tried one of those plastic owl or hawk statues to deter attacks? I'm just wondering if they would work.

 

[tadyergey]

I have hawks, bald eagles and owls here and am wondering the same thing. None of the local TSCs or SSs have aviary netting. Any idea where to try to find some so I can close off the top of the run?

 

[Squirrelgirl88]

I've seen it a our TSC, but you might try a Garden store or Home Improvement Store. People put it over their berry bushes and fruit trees to protect them from birds.

 

[Beth G.]

Quote:
Watch out for Ravens too!!!

I had one try to swoop down and snag my baby araucana while I was standing within 10 feet of it!!! Hawks are brutal. I've lost alot to the hawks and they seem to target my young ones and banties.

I use aviary netting on one and chicken wire over another. I hate the way the aviary netting sags after awhile so be prepared to snug it up every once in awhile

 

[Squirrelgirl88]

This hawk targeted a full size hen!

 

[tadyergey]

Did you use deer netting? I was looking for something a bit more substantial

 

[so lucky]

I'm wondering if anyone has tried this: How about stringing some rope, strips of cloth or even the curly type balloon ribbon across the uncovered run top, making a loose cris- cross pattern. Wouldn't a hawk hesitate to try swooping down on a chicken with something "covering " the cage top that he could get caught in? When I get the "permanent" run done I will have chicken netting for the top, but I think I may try this method for the little enclosure I put my chicks in now, as non-adults, for short periods of time, observed. I think it might also prevent the chicks from trying to fly out of the cage, for the same reason. Does anyone have any experience with this?

 

[turbodog]

Quote:
I've seen them whip through tree branches in pursuit of birds, so I think if they can see a way through a loose weave of rope, it, they'll go for it.

 

[Rustywreck]

If you can't find netting locally, here is a place I ordered netting for overy my turkey pen http://www.3tproducts.com/shop/pc/viewCategories.asp?pageStyle=h&idCategory=21

If hawks are the only threat you have, deer netting might be enough to keep them out. It isn't strong enough for something like a raccoon, but if a hawk tried to dive through it the hawk would be in trouble - I've been snarled up in the stuff myself and wasn't too happy about it.

 

[galanie]

Quote:
Yep, that's kind of the way I have it. The netting isn't strong at all, but it's draped so that it's baggy and everything that has tried to get past it just gets tangled in it. This is a temporary run with that same flimsy netting on it, draped loosely:

No dinner that day! Came back for a few days before finally giving up. Luckily I don't have foxes, coyotes, or feral dogs around and none are out after dark for the possums and coons to dine on.