Preventing Hawk Attacks

[ironsightfarm]

Hi all!

We're in the process of building our coop / run while the fluffy butts enjoy their brooder for a few more weeks

Our run will be fenced in, but is large - approx. 75' x 50' (rough estimate), with trees along perimeter and a covered structure for cover but no trees / cover in middle of run. We have a Cooper's Hawk that frequents the area - not sure if it's because our neighbors have chickens or because we abut 500 acres of conservation land - but I'm concerned about the best way to predator proof our run against aerial predators.

Any suggestions are welcome! I've read to add a scarecrow, move a fake owl around, get deflectors...looking for some tried (and successful!) solutions!

 

[centrarchid]

I would get a fully adult standard sized rooster and keep it with the young birds. Otherwise cover run.

 

[ironsightfarm]

I would get a fully adult standard sized rooster and keep it with the young birds. Otherwise cover run.

Best option for sure but I should have mentioned town ordinances prevent roos in our residential zone, otherwise that would be our 1st choice

 

[Rlmp817]

There are large swaths of aviary netting on Amazon, fairly reasonably priced. I believe I have seen a 50x75 size, I know I have seen bigger. You would probably need a way to support it in the center.

 

[centrarchid]

There are large swaths of aviary netting on Amazon, fairly reasonably priced. I believe I have seen a 50x75 size, I know I have seen bigger. You would probably need a way to support it in the center.

Follow this.

 

[The Dapper Duck]

I've been thinking about this myself because we are moving to a new place that is littered with red-shouldered hawks and tall perches. Does anyone have experience throwing in some really flighty/wary birds into the mix to be alarm birds? Something like a Campine or game birds? I know geese are popular for that, but that might not be an option for everyone.

 

[ironsightfarm]

There are large swaths of aviary netting on Amazon, fairly reasonably priced. I believe I have seen a 50x75 size, I know I have seen bigger. You would probably need a way to support it in the center.

Sounds like a covered run is the best option all around, but I'm not sure how feasible it will be with the set up we will have once the run is fenced in. I will try to post a picture tomorrow in the hopes it's doable. Thanks for the info!

 

[ironsightfarm]

I've been thinking about this myself because we are moving to a new place that is littered with red-shouldered hawks and tall perches. Does anyone have experience throwing in some really flighty/wary birds into the mix to be alarm birds? Something like a Campine or game birds? I know geese are popular for that, but that might not be an option for everyone.

I also thought of geese, but those (along with roos) aren't allowed in my residential zone. I've considered a tom in the hopes the size will ward off hawks but there's the concern of health and happiness for a single tom housed with a flock of hens.

 

[ironsightfarm]

Follow this.

I'm going to post a pic tomorrow to see if anyone can help with the difficulty I'm seeing in covering the run. Thanks for the help!

 

[lutherpug]

I would think some strategically placed t posts inside your run would be sufficient for covering the run with Aviary netting. You may have to zip tie it to get it to stay put but I bet this would be a fairly simple and cost effective solution. We moved to an area with a ton of hawks last year and the aviary netting has been successful for us so far although our run is smaller (15x40) so putting it up was a little more manageable. Long term, I plan to plant some trees and shrubs to provide some hiding spots as well.