I'm afraid for my flocks lives.

[ChickonInc]

Okay, I'm gonna admit, I am one of those people who over reacts. But, since I've owned chickens, 3 of them of been killed by hawks. I'm sick of loosing them. I free range them, then they die. I'm no longer gonna free range. But, the coop is what scares me. It's made of mostly chicken wire. I'd be happy to add more wood to make it better. I keep getting this feeling that a owl or hawk is watching. I turn on lights and everything to try and scare them away at night. At day, it's a waiting game. What way could I make my coop 100% predator proof. It does have a run. But, I don't want to worry everyday, while I'm gone. I'll post a picture of the coop if you would like. My last chicken died yesterday, and the neighbors say buzzards and hawks are circling my chicken coop.

 

[cavemanrich]

There is little you can do about hawks. Buzzards are there to finish what may be left. I have had losses to hawks so here is my , opinion, observation , and preventative ideas.
If you are outside with your chickens and they are free ranging near you. Hawks don't have cast iron testicles. They will not attack with you there. Have your run covered from top with tarps, netting whatever you have available. A hawk needs to drop down on its prey, They don't land on the ground and then chase their prey. Owls will have the same approach with the added advantage of being able to hunt in low light situations. So, some tarp, and the rest netting should give you some more peace of mind assurance. Provide some place for your chickens to hide if they see a hawk. I know that my chickens see the hawk before I do, start making noise and run for cover into the bushes . HOPE THIS HELPS YOU. I'm sure there are other peeps with some other helpful ideas.

 

[Americano Blue]

x2

 

[tarajane]

There is little you can do about hawks. Buzzards are there to finish what may be left. I have had losses to hawks so here is my , opinion, observation , and preventative ideas.
If you are outside with your chickens and they are free ranging near you. Hawks don't have cast iron testicles. They will not attack with you there. Have your run covered from top with tarps, netting whatever you have available. A hawk needs to drop down on its prey, They don't land on the ground and then chase their prey. Owls will have the same approach with the added advantage of being able to hunt in low light situations. So, some tarp, and the rest netting should give you some more peace of mind assurance. Provide some place for your chickens to hide if they see a hawk. I know that my chickens see the hawk before I do, start making noise and run for cover into the bushes . HOPE THIS HELPS YOU. I'm sure there are other peeps with some other helpful ideas.

SSS

 

[JJSS89]

Build a coop that you think is predator proof and then double it. Then it's marginally predator proof.

 

[bobbi-j]

   Okay, I'm gonna admit, I am one of those people who over reacts. But, since I've owned chickens, 3 of them of been killed by hawks. I'm sick of loosing them. I free range them, then they die. I'm no longer gonna free range. But, the coop is what scares me. It's made of mostly chicken wire. I'd be happy to add more wood to make it better. I keep getting this feeling that a owl or hawk is watching. I turn on lights and everything to try and scare them away at night. At day, it's a waiting game. What way could I make my coop 100% predator proof.. It does have a run. But, I don't want to worry everyday, while I'm gone. I'll post a picture of the coop if you would like. My last chicken died yesterday, and the neighbors say buzzards and hawks are circling my chicken coop.

There is no such thing as a 100% predator proof coop. You can make your coop more predator resistant, however. The first step would be to get rid of the chicken wire and put up some welded wire or 1/2 x 1/2" hardware cloth. The hardware cloth would be best for keeping out smaller critters like weasels, rats and mink. It is more expensive than welded wire. My run is also covered with welded wire to keep out things that climb. Namely, coons and opossums. If you want your chickens to free range, it's helpful to have shrubs, grass, or other hiding places for them.

There is little you can do about hawks.  Buzzards are there to finish what may be left.   I have had losses to hawks so here is my , opinion, observation ,  and preventative ideas.
If you are outside with your chickens and they are free ranging near you.  Hawks don't have cast iron testicles.  They will not attack with you there.     Have your run covered from top with tarps, netting  whatever you have available.   A hawk needs to drop down on its prey, They don't land on the ground and then chase their prey.  Owls will have the same approach with the added advantage of being able to hunt in low light situations.    So, some tarp, and the rest netting should give you some more peace of mind assurance.  Provide some  place for your chickens to hide if they see a hawk.   I know that my chickens see the hawk before I do,    start making noise and run for cover into the bushes .  HOPE THIS HELPS YOU.   I'm sure there are other peeps with some other helpful ideas.

Caveman, Hawks will attack even with people present. Pheasant hunting one year, a hawk swooped down over our friend's head and grabbed a pheasant right in front of him and flew off with it.

 

[cavemanrich]

Caveman, Hawks will attack even with people present. Pheasant hunting one year, a hawk swooped down over our friend's head and grabbed a pheasant right in front of him and flew off with it.

I guess the type of hawks that are hanging around me are what some of us call WEAKSAUCE. Or maybe its the way I look. I have stared them eye to eye, and they did not come to attack me or my chickens at the time. Maybe its because I am documented to be 2.8% Neanderthal . Back then a hawk was a mighty fine addition to the primitive rotisserie.

 

[bobbi-j]

I guess the type of hawks that are hanging around me are what some of us call WEAKSAUCE. Or maybe its the way I look. I have stared them eye to eye, and they did not come to attack me or my chickens at the time. Maybe its because I am documented to be 2.8% Neanderthal . Back then a hawk was a mighty fine addition to the primitive rotisserie.

 

[ChickonInc]

You can make a predator proof coop. It would just be VERY expensive.

 

[ChickonInc]

Some day we will find the predator proof coop. I've started to make blue prints for one. A 100% predator proof. We're humans, we can beat nature. It will be hard though ;-; I thought of a plexi glass run but thats over expensive and would look weird and have little fresh air. I'll find one