Keeping hawks out

[Stephanie8806]

Overnight snowfall update:

Got just over 6 inches of snow total. Some people were wary of snow accumulation on netting with openings smaller than an inch, so I figured I’d let you all know wha happened!

Below, I’m attaching pictures. One shows the sheer size of the tree directly above the coop. It does a great job of preventing snow from making it to the run. Six inches everywhere else, less than an inch on the ground in the run. The netting hardly had any as well, there was maybe a quarter inch accumulated, maybe sagging the net down one or two inches. A few whacks with a broom, can fit all knocked loose and was clear again.

I’m sure in a climate with wet/heavy snow, it may be different. Ours is quite powdery. I would also assume it would also be a different story if I neglected it for several days and let it accumulate. But, for doubled over 5/8” netting(which creates holes that range from 5/8” to probably just shy of 1/4”), I think this netting will work well,

 

[rosemarythyme]

Below, I’m attaching pictures. One shows the sheer size of the tree directly above the coop. It does a great job of preventing snow from making it to the run. Six inches everywhere else, less than an inch on the ground in the run. The netting hardly had any as well, there was maybe a quarter inch accumulated, maybe sagging the net down one or two inches. A few whacks with a broom, can fit all knocked loose and was clear again.

That tree does a good job blunting the snow fall. Main thing to watch out for as the snow starts melting off is clumps of snow falling - the netting should handle it fine but there's going to be occasional *Whomps* as clumps land on it.

 

[City Farmer Jim]

We have lost a pullet to what we assumed was red-tailed hawk being it had been seen around the run days prior...our solution was to hang CD'S and owl decoys in conjunction with a "chunnel" a.k.a chicken tunnel. The chunnel is a good place for the chickens to hide from prying eyes and airel attacks..it is basically a 2'x2'x8' that we lean against a wall in the coop run. At the least provocation they Trex haul fluffy butt to the chunnel. It's covered with camouflage netting and they hang out in it sometimes just for a SPA DAY. It could have wheels added to it and made portable. If I don't have a picture saved I will post it tomorrow night. We have had "0" lost girls with these steps.

 

[FortChixDixieChix]

Hey there all! This week we lost two chickens to a hawk, both decapitated, one in the run and one in the coop through the chickens door. We are sure it was a hawk. Part of our run is going to be able to be completely closed off, but for the rest I’m entertaining several options for the other portion of the run. I’m here to see what actually works and what isn’t worth the time or money.

Our run has 9 foot high fencing, with no roof or barrier over the top apart from the branches of a MASSIVE Douglas fir that cover the open air part of the run(roughly 25’x18’). The tree is the reason we haven’t had hawk trouble until now, I think, as a hawk isn’t able to fly and dive like it normally does. Because of the steep grade of our landscape, heavy winter snowfall, and asymmetrical layout of the run, installing actual fencing or solid roof would be incredibly complicated and cost prohibitive.

We are going to be hanging aviary netting of some sort, but I have also been reading that reflective tape products and owl decoys can have a decent effect on deterring birds of prey. Have you had luck with any of these methods, or any others?

We live in the mountains, the coop is off grid, the coop itself is extremely well built and only needs a change in location of the chicken door to become essentially bear proof. And although not ramshackle, the run is a bit more of a little rustic construct. We do free range our birds and have never had problems. I’m about as “okay” as one can be with the idea that sometimes predation is going to happen, but I’m annoyed that it happened in the run, and simply infuriated that the coop became compromised. Just trying to do my best to keep their home sacred and increase the protection in their fenced run.

We also live in the mountains. We decided to reduce our numbers and give our chickens less free ranging due to predators. We have tried everything and I mean everything. Sport netting over 6ft high Chainlink fencing doggie kennels. Now these coops are being replaced with coop with smaller runs inside The Chainlink fencing. There are more hawk and owls than ever before. The hawk, owl, coyote, raccoons, opossum, Fox, and mink attacks have been unmerciful this year. Our chicken keeping has changed as never before. Our chickens have less free ranging. I certainly hope every one can figure out resolve for their own unique set of problems with their chicken keeping

 

[ronkonkoma]

We also live in the mountains. We decided to reduce our numbers and give our chickens less free ranging due to predators. We have tried everything and I mean everything. Sport netting over 6ft high Chainlink fencing doggie kennels. Now these coops are being replaced with coop with smaller runs inside The Chainlink fencing. There are more hawk and owls than ever before. The hawk, owl, coyote, raccoons, opossum, Fox, and mink attacks have been unmerciful this year. Our chicken keeping has changed as never before. Our chickens have less free ranging. I certainly hope every one can figure out resolve for their own unique set of problems with their chicken keeping

Agreed. The only thing to do is protect from all predators is to not let them free range. Every year my run gets bigger and bigger but I am definitely not letting them out. They’re just as happy as anyone else’s chickens because this is what they know. Right now my run is 70’x30’ and I’m not opposed to make it bigger. I also have 2 coops in that run with a run attached so it’s more protection. no longer have to worry about the hawks or eagles. That’s for sure.

 

[BReeder!]

Thanks for the feedback! So far I’ve been having good luck with the 5/8” openings. If we had a deciduous tree anywhere in the vicinity I would definitely need bigger openings... but since the large pine tree above ours has small needles, they fall right through! And the snow doesn’t seem to accumulate on our netting. Although we get a good depth of snow out here, it is light and powdery and doesn’t stick to the fibers. I will check in the morning and update, we got 5 inches tonight and there’s supposed to be a little bit more Overnight. I’ll let you know what the accumulation looks like, if there is any.

I had the smaller openings and had a chunk of snow collect on it and turn to ice. I do have deciduous trees though and the leaves where likely part of the issue. I would regularly have to bounce the netting to get leaves off even though it was suspended on pitch of about 30 degrees. I came out the morning after the snow and ice issue and found my netting hanging down in the run completely destroyed by the weight of the block of ice. It then posed a risk to my flock and actually took the life of a beloved Orpington we had that got tangled up in part of the hanging netting.

That said, you may be able to get away with it as long as your leaves and snowfall don't pose a risk. Every scenario is different. One other thing to consider is pine cones. If your pine tree develops cones, be sure those are not going to collect on the net or get snagged in it. Our neighbor's tree hang over our run and regularly drops twigs (not a pine but some deciduous variety that hate for it's unknown berries, needles and tendency to drop twigs). The twigs are much easier to pull through the 2" openings we now have.
Rant moment - I've cut that darn tree back and I swear it just keeps coming back. I may just cut it straight vertical at the fence line. I like the neighbor though, so it's a tough situation.

 

[BReeder!]

Overnight snowfall update:

Got just over 6 inches of snow total. Some people were wary of snow accumulation on netting with openings smaller than an inch, so I figured I’d let you all know wha happened!

Below, I’m attaching pictures. One shows the sheer size of the tree directly above the coop. It does a great job of preventing snow from making it to the run. Six inches everywhere else, less than an inch on the ground in the run. The netting hardly had any as well, there was maybe a quarter inch accumulated, maybe sagging the net down one or two inches. A few whacks with a broom, can fit all knocked loose and was clear again.

I’m sure in a climate with wet/heavy snow, it may be different. Ours is quite powdery. I would also assume it would also be a different story if I neglected it for several days and let it accumulate. But, for doubled over 5/8” netting(which creates holes that range from 5/8” to probably just shy of 1/4”), I think this netting will work well,

Another thing to note is how is the netting secured? It looks like there's excess on the outside if the netting is allowed to sag and pull some of the excess of the run wall it prevents tension in the net, which helps prevent tearing. My net is zip tied to steal cable that surrounds the perimeter and a few lengths to connect to the highpoint at the roof of the coop. The netting is taught, but the steal cable is able to flex a little bit. My setup wouldn't allow has sag as yours does possibly though. Pros and cons either way, but with snow load in mind and wanting to stay low-cost, you may have a better method of securing/hanging the netting.

 

[Stephanie8806]

Another thing to note is how is the netting secured? It looks like there's excess on the outside if the netting is allowed to sag and pull some of the excess of the run wall it prevents tension in the net, which helps prevent tearing. My net is zip tied to steal cable that surrounds the perimeter and a few lengths to connect to the highpoint at the roof of the coop. The netting is taught, but the steal cable is able to flex a little bit. My setup wouldn't allow has sag as yours does possibly though. Pros and cons either way, but with snow load in mind and wanting to stay low-cost, you may have a better method of securing/hanging the netting.

Yes good eyes! I used zip ties to secure loose edges to the fencing(and keep it off the ground), but will be installing eyelet screws along the top borders of the fence for more sturdy connections points. We embraced the “snag” effect, allowing it to drape and be connected in hundreds of spots. Should act as a simple dispersal of weight, and therefore reduce risk of tearing. Some small pine cones fall and land on the netting, but can easily be bounced off. There are actually surprisingly few pine cones that fall, considering the sizes of the tree.

To prevent/reduce the sag in the middle, we are actually going to be anchoring a patio umbrella to an existing roost in the middle of their run. The roost base is a 6”x6” post buried in the ground so it’s not going anywhere. The umbrella will add support for the netting, additional shelter from the elements, and, of course, charm

 

[Stephanie8806]

We also live in the mountains. We decided to reduce our numbers and give our chickens less free ranging due to predators. We have tried everything and I mean everything. Sport netting over 6ft high Chainlink fencing doggie kennels. Now these coops are being replaced with coop with smaller runs inside The Chainlink fencing. There are more hawk and owls than ever before. The hawk, owl, coyote, raccoons, opossum, Fox, and mink attacks have been unmerciful this year. Our chicken keeping has changed as never before. Our chickens have less free ranging. I certainly hope every one can figure out resolve for their own unique set of problems with their chicken keeping

Yes, it’s incredibly difficult to be 100% preventative of predation, unless you keep your chickens in a solid enclosure at all times. Having a completely safe coop and mostly protected run is important to us, but weighing the pros and cons, it is also important to us that our birds have free range access... our plan is actually to maintain a larger flock, under the assumption that we will inevitably lose a few over time. Losing a couple in a larger flock feels like less of a loss than in a small flock. But that’s an extremely personal decision and I know it’s not the same for everyone!

Although we do have mink/weasels, and birds of prey, those are our primary threats. And fortunately, the birds of prey in conjunction with the bull snakes help keep the rodent population low.
There are a lot of large predators in the general area(bobcats, bears, cougars), but the area is not conducive for supporting continual presence of those animals. Their presence is mostly transient. The biggest reason is that we sit at a high and arid elevation(3000’ being the lowest point on our property). There is underground water, but no surface water. The closest pond is a mile away and about 800’ lower in elevation. Because the vegetation is more abundant and the climate is milder, that’s where game animals congregate(deer and turkeys). A cougar isn’t likely to leave a deer feast for a chicken snack . And the conditions here are just too harsh to be desirable for medium predators. We don’t have coons or possums(those live closer to town), and foxes, skunks, and coyotes also stay down near the water and abundant food sources. It also helps that most property owners that live down there also have chickens, guineas, turkeys, goats, etc... so the predators mostly stay where an easy and substantial meal is more likely.
Either way I knew even when keeping chickens was just a dream, that I wasn’t going to drive myself crazy trying to keep them 100% protected 100% of the time. Their coop will be like Fort Knox, but all the subsequent lines of defense get less imposing... from a safety perspective, it will go Coop>run>Fenced yard>free range. Birds will move up the ladder if they’re feeling brave, and retreat back to safety when frightened.

 

[Stephanie8806]

They’re just as happy as anyone else’s chickens because this is what they know.

I Keep reminding myself of this fact. Although we choose to free range a lot, even when they’re shut up in their coop/run, our chickens are downright pampered compared to what a lot of people provide as far as living space and outdoor access. As loving animal owners, we always see what’s missing and what more we want to provide for them, not how much we’ve already done