New Brahma Group: Blue Partridge x Partridge, Plus Dark

[robyn8]

So the hawks are actually getting in your run? Through a door or are the breaking in? I'm a newbie and just trying to understand. We see hawks all the time and they make me nervous.

 

[Wyatt0224]

My run is open but not very wide, more length then width. But I have their coop which is 6ft off the ground (old treehouse) and my neighbors have Cyprus trees that are growing over the run. I thought that would help obstruct the hawk flight path but it hasn't.

 

[1muttsfan]

The best protection against Hawks is a covered run. You can find relatively inexpensive sections of heavy-duty poultry netting on eBay. I have seen Hawks bounce like off a trampoline trying to get in my run. The net is supported in the center by stall, sturdy post. Click on the picture for a better view.

 

[robyn8]

We used hardware cloth we got on Amazon. My husband said it was easier to work with than chicken wire. We bought the snips they recommended on Amazon and he said they worked great. It was pricey compared to chicken wire but does seem to work so far.

 

[Wyatt0224]

My dad and I were talking and it sounds like we'll be covering the run with some type of netting or wire. I'd love to this hawk bounce off.

 

[robyn8]

Mat Midwest 308238B 36-Inch-by-50-Foot 1/4-Inch Mesh 23-Gauge Hardware Cloth https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009GVN4W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_4GVBybWFCVC1K

This what we used.

 

[1muttsfan]

Something like this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-HEAVY-KNO...155482?hash=item4881d96d5a:g:zIMAAOSwxH1T9g8R

There are less expensive ones, but they are also thinner and not as strong.

 

[speckledhen]

We just used the flexible pipe as framework and bent it over from post to post on the fencing, then laid 2x4 welded wire over that, like here:









Did the same thing on the newer bantam coop. Saw a Cooper's Hawk hanging on the side of it one day looking puzzled, LOL.

 

[1muttsfan]

I would love to do something like that, but the snow load here can be tremendous and the snow shakes right off the netting, which also does not require as much support as fencing does if you get it high in the center.

 

[speckledhen]

I would love to do something like that, but the snow load here can be tremendous and the snow shakes right off the netting, which also does not require as much support as fencing does if you get it high in the center.

If there is enough curve/arch, the snow isn't bad. We usually had a tarp over the part closest to the building and going inside and pushing up just made snow slide right off either side, but you definitely should pay attention to having it very arched in a high snow load area.