Preventing Hawks

[sebloc]

Hello
I still have chicks at this moment; but then again, we want to make sure our coop design is going to be completely predator resistant. Here in Connecticut, we have a lot of red tailed hawks. At one point, we had tons of wild turkeys, and as soon as the hawks appeared, the turkeys disappeared.
So let's get to the point. I was wondering, if anyone has any good methods to keeping hawks out. We are using a run, but I have heard stories from some of my already chicken owning friends that hawks can get inside the run if not built properly. I just want to make sure an accident doesn't occur.

If you have any methods, please add a comment below. Thanks!

We also have 2 neighbors with outdoor cats, and seeing how they attempted to kill a nest full of robins, I can only imagine what they would do to our chickens.

 

[Folly's place]

Your coop needs to be big enough, well ventilated, and have no openings larger than 1/2" diameter, so hardware cloth over all windows. If your run is built to the same standard, predators won't be able to get to your birds unless they are free ranging. If your run is for daytime use only, a covering of netting or wire will keep hawks out. Cats will take out chicks, but very few will challenge adult chickens, or a broody hen. Raccoons, dogs, opossums, and foxes, are major predators. Then there are weasels, hawks, eagles, or any meat loving critter out there. Build the largest most secure facility you can, and have your flock safe. Mary

 

[sebloc]

We do have a lot of raccoons and skunks, some fox, hawks, and not much more then that. I doubt that anything will attempt to get in because the majority of the coop is being built inside an already fenced in garden. But, you know.

 

[bigoledude]

If you decide to use netting over the top of your run, fasten it often along your fencing. Hawks can find and, make the most of, a gap in your defenses.