Netting for Hawks

[Tiny Turtle]

So because it is winter, we have been experiencing our first year of hungry hawks. Just a week ago my bantam mother hens was attacked and killed by a hawk, ever since then they keep coming back with new friends and causing my chickens to panic. I am having to constantly check on them and listen for them to make sure they are safe. I have been wanting to put a net above my chicken pen to keep hawks away, but I am not sure what type of netting to go for. Does anybody here know what netting to go for and have any suggestions on what to do?

 

[emilyweck]

I've used deer netting in the past. How big is your opening?

 

[Tiny Turtle]

20x40 or so. That is just a guess really. When we made it, I am not sure we measured, we just kinda made it.

 

[Tiny Turtle]

Also, just in case it wasn't clear, 20 by 40 is just an estimate of the overall chicken pen.

 

[emilyweck]

That's about the same as mine. Deer fencing worked. I zip tied two together to make it wide enough and attached to the run sides with zip ties. My coop is under a tree so eventually it became tough to manage with leaves, snow, etc.. and we removed it. someone mentioned hardware wire but that's a large space to cover with that.

 

[Tiny Turtle]

Alright thanks! We will have to try that.