My chickens & Hawk issues

[theaggal]

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[theaggal]

I'm trying to figure out how to do this sorry Thought I could add a few pictures . There's a pic of my babies 8 weeks and 1of my bantam of 2. Next I'll reply my coop, made out of recycled wood but secure and the large area they'll have once bigger. My coops inside a pen that's about 100x30'

 

[Lady of McCamley]

So what are you asking? Is this secure for hawks?

I think I see hardware cloth on the top?

You have some substantial gaps in the wiring on the side, and I've had smaller (Cooper's Hawks) enter in through gaps like that, so I would suggest extending the hardware cloth down the sides as well and stringing bird netting over any run.

Are you having issues with hawks?

LofMc

 

[theaggal]

So I have a lot of hawks around even one that nests in a large tree in my driveway. I reside on the farm, farming part of the roads 700 acres, house sits on a separated somewhat area of a few acres.Once my chickens grow I want them to run free! When, advice ?. Mind you we have a few labor houses down at end of my driveway and their chickens run all over the place

 

[theaggal]

No there's actual chicken wire in front, completely securesides, tops, ect. Half the Coop has roofing other half is open. The cloth you see is a ground cover to keep the strongest sun off them the side part is to help control rain. I reside in south Florida

 

[Lady of McCamley]

If you let them run free, be prepared for regular loss from hawks. The only way to keep them from picking off your birds is to keep them secure under netted and wired runs at all times. A good rooster can alert, somewhat, but he likely won't deter.

Just because you are on the property won't stop them. My husband has stood and watched a hawk dive bomb and hit a hen within feet of him. They can become very brazen and are fast. You can't stand watch 24/7.

We lost regularly until we put up bird netting between trees and confined them better.

The other option is to find a good large guardian dog and let him stand watch.

BTW...the hens won't mind staying in a nice roomy run. They actually prefer safe familiar range to being picked off in unfamiliar territory. You might consider a chicken tractor pulled to various locations.

LofMc

 

[theaggal]

Lady of McCamley thank you. I'm sorry just learning how to post and so on. It shocks me that the neighbors have their's running all over and seem to be fibe! I do have a dog and she's trained to hunt but resides in my house. I feel so bad I have so much room for them to run and have freedom I have 2 bantam hens and 18 mixed breed chickens I bought a Red Barn feed store. They did have 2 gigantic black roosters $75.00 each, forgot the name. Perhaps I need those ? I'm a grower not much up on chickens but can grow you veggies! Besides the Purina brand healthy grades of food my chickens get fresh veggies daily, melons, worms ect They all seem to be very happy & healthy. Perhaps I should just extend the Coop ?Thank you again for your help