I Need Hawk Proof Run Ideas-- Need Lots Of Room

[Germaine_11.20]

Hi!

Well, the HAWKS are back and I see alot of people on here are suffering and stressing including me. Yes I know the hawks have a right to survive so how about we set up a thread with lots of different ideas, pictures and run forms to allow our chickens out and about without having to worry.

Keeping alot of chickens cooped all day is very hard on them.

Here are ideas I would like to see--honestly I haven't thought alot about the "how to's" yet but I will. I was just hoping that everyone would jump in and we could get a great thread that gives lots and lots of options for all of us and our birds.

Hmmm how about connecting portable runs...almost like the hamsters have (the tunnels) where we could block some off, then open some up?

Small runs, big runs, sturdy runs.... Please........

 

[Amyable]

Hmm, this looked interesting. This site has a bunch of coop styles. These A-frames just lock together with overlapping 2x4's. They look really simple to build, and you could arrange them however you want.

http://www.forshamcottagearks.com/chicken-runs/oxney-chicken-run.htm

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Thank you! I am also reading "Poultry House Construction" by Michael Roberts. There is an 8' run that looks promising.

I want to have different sizes and figure a way to hook them together and take them apart easily.

 

[TriciaHowe]

I know a lot of people on here with open top runs simply run rope across the top (like clothes line rope) across the top to deter them from swooping down.

 

[djmb74]

Fishing line! It inexpensive and it works believe me I have seen it in action!

Just string up fishing line all over the place were your run is located. We have it going from the side of my house attached to tree's and fences. When they swoop in they get hung up and gives the girls a chance to take cover and freak's the hawk out...

We also have a fake owl we put up and move often.

 

[WallTenters]

For separating runs.... What about... two 1x10s (or 2x10s) on edge at the bottom, with bird netting attached and running up to the top of the run. That way they are less likely to scratch at the bottom of the netting, and they won't see over the 2 boards, so they would be less inclined to even try to get through. They could go into slots made at the bottom of the run (or put up with some concrete blocks, whatever) so they would be moveable, and the bird netting could hook up in the top corners, so it too could be easily moved. This would also be chick proof, unless you have one day old baby chicks that can launch up to 20" and then squeeze through bird netting.

I think it would actually work well! Wow, I had a good idea!

Edit - by bird netting, I mean actual bird netting, like what is used to keep birds off of fruit trees. You can buy it at walmart for pretty cheap. It's flexible, so would be easier to move around as one person than chicken wire.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

What about stringing reflective tape from tree to tree or old CD's hanging from a string? I've got hawks and eagles in the area but haven't lost a chicken to them. Dogs and feral cats on the other hand..................

 

[scooter147]

I had a huge run at one time and I simple criss crossed clotheline from one post to the next and tied strips of ribbon to it. The line plus the movement of the ribbon led to not a single loss of a bird within the run.

 

[Backyard_Chicken_rancher]

I put bird netting over the top of mine and to that I hung scratched CD's from fishing line the sun hit's it and throws the hawks off and at night the moon catches it and the night creatures are not sure what to make of it (but whatever it is there is alot of them and they keep moving) so good luck in your search to find just the right idea for you.

 

[Soccer Mom]

We have to cover everything due to the hawks. To quickly cover an enclosure, we have poles at either end and stretch a wire between. Then we just attach it with zip ties. Easy to put up and move. Yesterday it was strong enough to withstand a serious attack. The hawk tangled himself in the netting, before we got out there, he had himself loose. The netting didn't even tear and easily shook back into place.