Hawks hawks hawks....

[Walkbarefoot]

Over the past couple of months the hawks have found my girls. We have 13 chickens, a rock solid coop and fully covered 20x20 run. I did free range the girls for YEARS without problems. Recently we lost a couple of girls to hawks. I am wondering if anyone has used garden hoops and bird netting to protect girls while free ranging? I want to be able to let them out each day but know we are going to continue to have issues if I do. I want to keep the girls safe while giving them at least SOME freedom. Thanks for your advice, it is greatly appreciated!

 

[pyrofreek]

we have a couple crow decoys and one of those air dance things like you see in front of used car lots. we turn that on when they are out in the yard. one day 4 of us were sitting under the gazebo and a cooper hawk flew in and sat on the fence 5 feet from a crow decoy - with all of us yelling at it till it finally flew off. a couple weeks later i was out in the yard with them and a bald eagle swooped down, saw me and pulled up, but then perched in a tree watching. since then i added posts to the fence line with string about 3 feet above the fence and mylar streamers every 4 feet or so. i still see hawks in the trees from time to time. a never ending battle. it's worse in winter too when there's less other prey for them. i only let the girls out when i can be out with them and usually have my full auto bb gun close by in case i see anyone hanging around.

 

[McChooky]

Its not against the law to protect our chickens from predators but birds of prey are off limits (this includes disturbing their nests sites, chicks and eggs) Chickens are healthier when we free range them but Hawks have to eat so locking them up is necessary

 

[Evadig]

I am wondering if anyone has used garden hoops and bird netting to protect girls while free ranging?

I’m sorry this doesn’t really answer your question; they’re just a couple ideas that have worked for me - I have a nesting pair of Coopers Hawks nearby.

You could try making a chicken tractor or even just a moveable pen with this black netting, garden stakes, wire (for overhead support).

Letting them out in the afternoon sometimes helps (hawks seem to be around in the morning) or mixing the times/days.

Hope this helps .