Need feedback for ideas!

[RDchicken99]

Hello everyone! I’ve got some ideas for my chickies and need some feedback from other chicken people. Okay! First of all, for keeping hawks away from free ranging chickens, I’ve read lots of places where people hang CDs or pinwheels, and the light reflection scares the hawks. So, why not make hen aprons out of holographic fabric? ( I would link some but am having technical difficulties.) And lastly, our chickens waterers get dirty VERY quickly, because the chickens take great pleasure in pooping in them 24/7. So, I was wondering if I could make a poultry cup drinker out of a five gallon bucket. The only thing I would worry about is I have crested birds, and would hate for them to not be able to see the poultry cup nipple. Tell me what you guys think! I appreciate all feedback.

 

[CoopintheWoods]

I don't have experience with poultry cup drinkers, but do have plenty of experience with hawks. I would caution against the holographic hen aprons. The chicken's last defense is their camouflage and ability to hide under cover and you really don't want to take that away from them by turning them into reflective beacons (in my opinion). I'd definitely get some more opinions though as I've never heard of any trying it.

Good luck with whatever you end up doing!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Where are you located?
I used to use drinker cups for years. Your climate will affect my advice.

 

[RDchicken99]

Where are you located?
I used to use drinker cups for years. Your climate will affect my advice.

I live in SW Missouri. Hot humid summers and moderately cold winters.

- Just realized you were in St. Louis haha. Hello fellow Missourian

 

[Chickstarrs]

I agree with CoopintheWoods.

The light reflection doesn't necessarily scare the hawk. I think it is more of a distraction and makes it harder for them to spot the chicken who is (hopefully) running away. If you put the reflection on the chicken, you may be defeating the purpose. Think of it as if you were driving on a sunny day. The sun reflects off the window of the car in front of you. You are not scared, but you certainly can't see for second or two except the reflection. Just enough time for a chicken to get away in a different direction and discourage the hawk. Worked for me this summer but I have them hanging over the top of my run. Not sure how you would manage for a free range area, especially if it is a large area. Maybe some cd decorated trees?

 

[RDchicken99]

I agree with CoopintheWoods.

The light reflection doesn't necessarily scare the hawk. I think it is more of a distraction and makes it harder for them to spot the chicken who is (hopefully) running away. If you put the reflection on the chicken, you may be defeating the purpose. Think of it as if you were driving on a sunny day. The sun reflects off the window of the car in front of you. You are not scared, but you certainly can't see for second or two except the reflection. Just enough time for a chicken to get away in a different direction and discourage the hawk. Worked for me this summer but I have them hanging over the top of my run. Not sure how you would manage for a free range area, especially if it is a large area. Maybe some cd decorated trees?

Yeah that makes a lot of sense, thanks! Most of the hung CD stuff I’ve seen has been exactly as you described, hung over a run. And for free ranging areas they were hung around trees.

 

[3KillerBs]

I have no clue about the hawk stuff, but horizontal nipple waterers are terrific!

I cannot WAIT to get each batch of chicks up to size to use them because open waterers are disgusting.

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree on the nipple watering. Clean water! I am back to open bowls for the winter.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I always liked drinker cups but they won't handle a Missouri winter. Go for the horizontal nipples in a heated water reservoir. They are the only thing that can be used year round.