How to go about this?

[Alumentum]

Okey doke well, before getting chicks and what not, I'd like to make sure they wont get eaten. Since I live in Florida hawks like Ospreys, redtailed and kites and various other hawks and falcons are here. Also, there are raccoons around all the time here as well as opposums. It doesn't help that I live right next to the green way, a nature reserve. As far as I know, there are also bobcats living in there.

So since I cannot build a large run or things of that sorts without neighbors whinning, I will just set up small little netted areas each day for the hens. I am not sure how I will go about protecting them though. If I kept my very noisy schnauzer with the hens would that deter hawks(my main fear)? Coons and oppossums I think I can handle since they don't come out during the day. If I stayed out there with them would that deter hawks?

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

best advice? build or buy you a chicken tractor - short, small, low to the ground and can be made very sturdy and protective to keep out all predators - and the neighbors can't whine about something unsightly. (you can always paint it to match your house and add fake flowers or real pots ontop or near it to "mask it") you will just have to settle for only a few chickens (3-5)....


netting is okay - but a hungry hawk will still try to get through it - can even trap the hawk INSIDE with your chickens...the dog if it gets loose will become a predator and possibly kill your chickens...also a snauzer isn't going to deter a bobcat after an easy meal (or an entree the chickens and the dog the main course) (atleast when i think snauzer i think 20-30lbs the same size as a bobcat) also its not going to protect them at all against a racoon or possum or fox if the dog isn't there or can't actually chase the offenders off at night.

editting to add this link : perfect type tractor - spacious yet only about 3-4" tall, easy to add some cute little real or fake flower boxes on the side, even add you some flowy potted vines on top of the house part to beautify it, etc. not big, not unsightly, and the neighbors will quickly forget its there. alot of people can make these - not alot to it.

http://roosterhillfarms.net/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/Henpen_1.29270543_std.jpg

 

[Alumentum]

cool thanks

 

[bryan99705]

A tractor sounds great for your situation but don't forget to plan in drop down skirting all the way around. This will prevent digging under the rails of the tractor and be sure to shade the top for heat / sun protection. Also plan a way to move the tractor while the birds are in it and be able to do it without chancing running over a bird or pinching it under a rail. You might consider a wire floor but most tractors don't use it so the chickens have full access to the ground

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

alum, do some shade cloth or a piece of plastic or tin on top of the 'run' area, and put wire on the bottom (2X4 would be okay) and tack it to the bottom of the rails, this way it will make it hard for a big predator to dig in or if it were turned over.