How do I protect my chickens

[jelmer]

I believe either a hawke or owl is stealing my chickens what can i do??

I do not want to lock them up all day as I think its not fair on the chickens but if more disapear it might be my only resort

I have started to lock them up at night but the chicken coop is built so that a owl could easily fly in if it wanted to as a bit of the coops top is open and locking them up at night is not defending them against hawks

anyone have ideas on how to protect chickens against these two predators please help me!

 

[citrusdreams]

To my knowledge, owls will only attack at night and if they know where your chickens are, they'll come back for another feast. Your only alternative is to make the coop owl-proof.

The only times mine have been attacked by hawks is in the day, and I think the only thing you can do is provide them protection in the form of securing their coop or run during the day as well.

I know that's not what you wanted to hear, but it's hard to protect your flock from those predator without securing them better.

Has anyone had any success with livestock guardians against hawks or owls?

 

[Judy]

I have hawks checking out the area every day. Not one has ever taken a chicken as far as I know. The chickens watch for flying predators and run back inside the coop if a bluebird lands on a fence post! We recently saw one of the hawks up close, and it was over 2' tall.

I know hawks will follow chickens into the coop, but that has not been a problem here. They have plenty of other prey that is easier to catch here, and I think that has been our salvation.

We do have 4 dogs that will not harm the chickens, but most of the time they are indoors or in a fenced yard. I'm sure they have run off a hawk or two when loose, though. They certainly keep the local fox and coon and such at bay. We'd keep them running loose 24/7, but 2 are old house dogs who can run free but want in, and the other 2 do not always stay on the property. We are fortunate not to have neighbor problems, but we do have a neighbor with a killer dog, his right, and the younger dogs will go onto his property if let loose. Fencing the whole 11 acres is really not an option.

Hardly a definitive answer, but maybe it will help.

 

[jelmer]

thank you