If it ain’t the hawks

[unbaked pegga]

I have 4 Orpingtons and I tell you what, it has been one thing or another since I got them 3-or 4 years ago (mainly respiratory issues) but now...it is hawks. There must be a nesting pair around here because I have seen them more the last few months than I have the past 4 years. They free range and I live in the city. I have a privacy fence and there couldn’t be more than 1/4 acres. If that. Plus 13 trees. They are determined to get one and I am just as determined they aren't. These are pets. I put a scarecrow I made in one of the open areas but I have read you need to move them around frequently and mine has gotten so heavy. I don't believe it can be moved, rainwater. I have read on how to deter them. A rooster is one suggestion. The city ordinance won't allow roosters. Or a guard dog. I can't afford or want one. Or hand shiny objects from trees. 3/4 of my trees have holographic tape, holographic owls and holographic twirlers. Why is none of this helping? I just went online to find a scarecrow "kit" but most of them are Halloween decorations or about 30 inches high or expensive (very expensive) then there are owl replicas which I already have 4 or 5 in different trees. I am at a loss. Don't want to lose my girls and can't be outside to be a guard "dog". Does anyone have any suggestions or is there something you have tried that has worked for you? Oh an I also moved my patio umbrella out to a small open area

 

[SueT]

I don't know if this scarecrow would work for hawks, but it sure keeps the sparrows out of my chickens' feed....took about 5 min to make. It blows in the wind and the birds stay away. You could make several. It's just based on a coat hanger.

I got the idea from these bird scare balloons, which I also don't know if they'd work for hawks. But you can make your own and find out.

Meanwhile lock up your chickens, put netting over your run. Good luck!!!

 

[kimberley848]

I also live within city limits, no roos, etc. My girls free range in my backyard, and after a hawk landed tried to grab one of my girls, with a dog standing less than 10' away, we bought bird netting from Amazon. We spent about $30 for 2 pcs of it (24x24) and tacked it up over their yard/garden area. On the sides it hangs down a couple feet, so I can lift it to go under it, but from "above" it looks like it goes down closer to the ground. At corner spots I tied a baggy filled with rocks to keep it "down" during winds, etc... It's worked GREAT, and the hawks don't even fly over anymore. My girls still wander out from under it, but stay close enough that it hasn't been a problem. I used tiny zip ties to tie the two pcs together. Good luck!

 

[aart]

The only thing that will 100% keep hawks from eating your chickens is a secure mesh covered run.

 

[unbaked pegga]

I also live within city limits, no roos, etc. My girls free range in my backyard, and after a hawk landed tried to grab one of my girls, with a dog standing less than 10' away, we bought bird netting from Amazon. We spent about $30 for 2 pcs of it (24x24) and tacked it up over their yard/garden area. On the sides it hangs down a couple feet, so I can lift it to go under it, but from "above" it looks like it goes down closer to the ground. At corner spots I tied a baggy filled with rocks to keep it "down" during winds, etc... It's worked GREAT, and the hawks don't even fly over anymore. My girls still wander out from under it, but stay close enough that it hasn't been a problem. I used tiny zip ties to tie the two pcs together. Good luck!

I am going to try that. I will try any options. Am going to look into buying some of those scarecrow balloons. The scare crow I made weighs a ton after a rain. (I stuffed it with old sheets and a friend suggested straw. I don't know why I never thought of that. Living alone limits the work that I can do because I an not a spring chicken myself anymore

 

[Ginmary]

I would suggest putting any stuffing into a large plastic garbage bag before stuffing into the final "clothes" (or a few smaller bags, whatever would fit best.) That way whatever stuffing you use won't absorb any water, not just for the weight but also to minimize any mold issues. I would face the opening of the bags down so water doesn't get in them.

 

[Chickassan]

You need a blow up man. Yes i'm serious. Put clothes on him, bungee him to anything he's 5 feet tall and weighs nothing.

If he get a hole, glue it shut. He's cheap too! https://www.ebay.com/i/332375187437...0%26rvr_ts%3D9f6864281670aa6630f18c91ffc8c9cd

 

[aart]

You need a blow up man.

If scarecrows worked, that would be viable option.

 

[Chickassan]

He's ugly as mud, but he grows on you. And he does work as a scarecrow, the crows want nothing to do with him...don't much blame them.

If scarecrows worked, that would be viable option.

 

[aart]

...and if you filled him with helium(properly tethered of course)!!