Off to Party America for some Mylar balloons for hawk deterrent!

[ChooksChick]

A Ferruginous Hawk has decided that this part of town is an excellent place to pick off dinner. Unfortunately it killed one of my birds (though it didn't get to eat it) and has been coming around for several days.

Instead of buying a three-pack of the Scary Eyes balloons and waiting for them to arrive, etc., I'm off to buy some plain Mylar balloons so I can paint scary eyes on them myself!

It ought to work well, assuming the product exists because it works, right?

Here's the real thing:

http://www.amazon.com/Bird-X-SE-PAC-Scare-Balloon-3-Pack/dp/B000QUWTS0

 

[ChooksChick]

I got 4 balloons and posted them around the yard...dunno if it makes a difference yet, but I can say that electrical tape won't work for eyes, as it compromises the buoyancy too much...

 

[Happy Chooks]

I use scare tape. Same reflectiveness of mylar balloons, but cheaper.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

I use shiny pinwheels, buy 'em for a buck at WalMart. I've attatched 18" lengths of .5" PVC upright on the ends of the chicken pen posts, then insert the sticks of the pinwheels in them. That way they not only spin 'round & 'round, but also swivel with the wind.

A neighbor who raises pigeons puts mirrors up on the tops of his coops as a hawk deterrant.

 

[suburbanminifarm]

Am I the only one who uses ugly stuffed animals as "scare-hawks?" I have 2 large tigers with their teeth showing, and a warthog with tusks. (seriously) I move them around everyday so the hawks don't get used to them.

 

[ChooksChick]

Oh, my gosh! You guys have great ideas! I think the stuffed animals would get odd looks from passing traffic...but would be effective! I should put the big stuffed animals my kids are done with out there!

 

[ChooksChick]

Well, I see the hawk around, but it hasn't gone near our yard since the balloon monsters moved in! I tied them to chairs and move the lawn chairs daily. It works!!

 

[CheerfulHeart2]