Protection from bald eagles

[RichNancy]

We allow our small flock to range during the day. they have some protection, but some open areas as well. there are lots of bald eagles in the area and we've had some near misses. I wonder if installing fence posts in some vulnerable areas would provide protection since the eagles couldn't swoop down in that area. I was thinking a post every 10 feet or so along a line from their coop to other protection. Has anyone tried this?

 

[crowinncluckn]

We allow our small flock to range during the day. they have some protection, but some open areas as well. there are lots of bald eagles in the area and we've had some near misses. I wonder if installing fence posts in some vulnerable areas would provide protection since the eagles couldn't swoop down in that area. I was thinking a post every 10 feet or so along a line from their coop to other protection. Has anyone tried this?

I have never tried it and do not have eagles, but I know it would not deter hawks or owls who have been know to swoop down into uncovered runs with posts much closer than ten feet apart for a meal. Hawks will land on the ground and persue their quarry into bushes. I had a hawk chase its lunch into my screened in front porch one day when the door was left open. The lunch was smart enough to scurry out through the cat door leaving the hawk trapped in a corner of the porch for about 20 minutes.

 

[chfite]

My run is covered by colored twine stretched from one side to the other. I figure that a raptor won't try to fly into an area if it cannot see a clear path in and out. We have many sites of cover in our yard to allow the chickens to hide when the hawks come.

When the hawks call or the crows alarm, the hens run for cover and the rooster sets up the alarm, watching in the open. Most of the time, the crows run the hawks away.

I guess the rooster would be first loss, since he tends to stand out in the open.

Eagles are so much larger than the red-tail hawks that we have. I imagine that you are dealing with a much different level of predation. If a hawk came and my Australian Shepherd tried to protect the chickens, I could foresee success. I doubt he would stand a chance against an eagle.

Chris