Predators During Day

[dennin7418]

Hi All, I'm almost done with my duck house/run. These guys have to get out of the basement ASAP.

Question is I am making a daytime run for them to stay in while I'm at work. Over time this week expand into something more elaborate but for now this is ok. Do I need to put cover over the top? I wasn't planning on anything more than some twine to deter hawks but what are others experiences with predators (coons, fishers, foxes) during the daytime hours?

Was also thinking about maybe putting an electric wire around the top to prevent anything from getting in.

Thanks,
Nick

 

[RedPyleLady]

If you have a lot of hawks I would put something on the top for now to keep them away from the babies And depending on what kind of ducks you have you should have a top on to keep the flyers from escaping haha. The electric wire sounds like a great idea but it's probably mroe likley that they will dig or find a hole in the fence rather than climb it but if they're hungry enough theyll climb it. But if you put a top on then you wont have to worry about running electricity all the time.

Ultimatley, the best way to keep predators out is to check your fencing every now and again and check for holes or if the wire is pulling away from the ground. Good luck!

 

[veronicasmom]

A while ago we had a mink get into our rabbit pen at 10am. He had one of my rabbits by the throat. I am sure it would have been a duck if they had been in his path first.
He has not been back. We tried to trap it, but had no success. Did some "tweaking" to the pens and to our routine. So far so good. That is the only problem we've had in over 10 years.

 

[Going Quackers]

I think it truly depends on what sort of predators you have in your area, I would probably not leave a pen uncovered since essentially your birds are trapped inside ..

My birds all free range though, our biggest threats seem to be at nightfall however.

 

[Oregon Blues]

Every type of predator you can imagine will sometimes be outside and hunting during the day.

The owl is the only one who doesn't hunt during the day, and there are even occasional exceptions to that and an owl will be out during daylight hours. Rare, but it does happen.

Lots of those predators can climb a fence, or jump, or dig under.

Unless you have good perimeter fencing, your biggest risk is probably loose dogs and a large dog can rip poultry netting. Raccoons can also rip poultry netting.

How secure you must build your housing depends upon what sort of predators you have in your area.

 

[ChristineR]

I've had a big Pekin duck eaten by a bald eagle during the day. Since then, I cover everything.

You can get poultry netting in large sizes. McMurray carries it: http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/flight_top_netting.html


Flight Top Netting
Catalog Number Description In Stock each How Many
5KN22 Mesh 2" W 25' L150'

drop ship from mfr​

$243.60​

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5KN25 Mesh 2" W 50' L150'

drop ship from mfr​

$470.40​

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5KN12 Mesh 1" W 25' L150'

drop ship from mfr​

$222.90​

​

5KN15 Mesh 1" W 50' L150'

drop ship from mfr​

$509.45​

​

5KN50 Mesh 2" W 25' L 50'

drop ship from mfr​

$91.20​

​

5KN20 Mesh 1" W 25' L50'

drop ship from mfr​

$176.95​

​

This netting is the ideal cover for your game bird run. It is made of very tough olefin fibers and will last a minimum of five years without rust or mildew. The 2” mesh is very economical, has a strength of 65 lbs. per mesh, and is ideal for the tops of pens. The 1” mesh has a strength of 30 lbs. per mesh.It is ideal for use where ice and snow loads are not a big problem. It is designed for use with smaller birds and brooder pens but is not recommended for the sides of the pens because rodents or predators can chew through it. Either can be easily fastened together with hog rings, staples, or nails. This netting has been sold for many other uses and is ideal for tennis courts and ball diamonds. Comes in 25’ or 50’ widths and 150’ lengths

 

[duckking]

We live out in the country and have every predator possible - bobcats, eagles, raccoons, cougar, bears, hawks, etc. etc. We put an electric wire around the top perimeter of the run (600 sq. feet) and then strung fishing line over the top. The fence is cemented in, so never a sign of anyone digging under....so far....Their safe area (250 sq.ft) where their houses are (ducks and chickens) is completely fenced in with quarter inch hardware cloth over the main galvanized fence, across the top and buried completely under the bottom. The houses have cement floors. We call it Fort Knox.

 

[ChristineR]

Sounds like our place. Does the fishing line over the top work to deter the eagles and hawks? We have a protected wetland pond on our property and we have a ton of eagles, hawks, owls, etc. I've lost one duck to an eagle and then secured my pens. He did come back for more and was very persistant about trying to get back in (shaking the pen door, walking around it, etc). I've heard of using fishing line, but was worried that it wouldn't work. Have you seen it tested?

We live out in the country and have every predator possible - bobcats, eagles, raccoons, cougar, bears, hawks, etc. etc. We put an electric wire around the top perimeter of the run (600 sq. feet) and then strung fishing line over the top. The fence is cemented in, so never a sign of anyone digging under....so far....Their safe area (250 sq.ft) where their houses are (ducks and chickens) is completely fenced in with quarter inch hardware cloth over the main galvanized fence, across the top and buried completely under the bottom. The houses have cement floors. We call it Fort Knox.

 

[Oregon Blues]

I've never tried the fishing line. This is what I've heard about it. It discourages hawks and eagles because they fear they will be trapped and not be able to get out. It does not deter owls. They are either more fearless or they know they are more maneuverable. Since they hunt in tangled forest, they don't worry about a few obstructions and will drop in past fishing line.

However, if I had an eagle that was showing interest, I would not risk fishing line as a protection. Good strong wire is what I would want protecting my birds. If you want them out, I suggest that you limit the amount of time and stand guard right over them.

Some people find it acceptable to have losses to free range. I do not. I am very fond of my birds and even one lost to a predator is one too many.