how to keep hawks and owls out of the chicken yard

[dsleeper]

We have had owls attack our chickens during the day in the chicken yard. Once it came down and took one away and the next time it just killed it and started eating by the coop. We have trees covering most of the run and thought that would help keep overhead predators at bay. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Odelia]

Put a roof or wire over the top.

 

[dsleeper]

the only way that I could do that would be some sort of really light webbing because the run is about 50x150 feet and I am having trouble finding netting.

 

[Odelia]

That is almost a 1/5 of an acre or a normal city lot. How many birds do you have? You are going to need to either build them a run so that you can secure them or provide them with more places to dart for cover and accept that there will be losses.

 

[Odelia]

You could also put up some of the netting used for fruit trees in the most venerable area's.

 

[dsleeper]

I am starting over I had 40 but dogs got in and than the owls but I am going to get 40 more as soon as I can secure the area from above.

 

[Torch404]

It will not keep them out like a top netting will; but to deter some attacks you can hang shinny things. Like old CD's or strips of shiny plastic. I think they make them for fruit trees and as the wind blows they move a little and the reflections are suppose to spook the predator birds.

 

[Maddybug Farm]

Hi all,
I'm brand new to BC but have a bit of experience on this topic. We live in FL on just over 11 acres. Our flock free-ranges every day, 90+ chickens. Tried netting and shiny things to no avail. We've seen hawks take many until......scarecrows. No joke. We've put up three and have noticed that as long as we move them a bit every couple weeks, the hawk hits have indeed taken a hit. We noticed that light colored clothing on the scarecrows also is a key. They've been placed near a tree line, near an open grass area and near a previous "hit spot". Just takes a little time for us to realize and remember that it's not an actual person out there, especially startling at night when we lock the flock up! Hope this helps.