Protectors of the flock?

[axion_lotus]

So I got some decoy birds at TSC for $10 each; they were 50% off from two weeks ago, which was awesome. I got them in the hopes that they'll keep the possums and the hawks away this year. I plan on putting the hawk up during the day, and switching them out at night,so the owl and her lovely eyes will keep the possums from skulking nearby.

Everyone, meet Archer (the hawk) and Hildegarde (the owl), and they are my turncoat flock guardians.

(Archer and Hildegarde chilling in the living room)

But my question is, will they do a good job? I've read various places that decoy birds are a valuable tool in protecting a flock, but I'd like to hear it from you guys. Has anyone else done this, and does it work effectively?

 

[pringle]

Maybe is you move them around everyday they will seem real to predators.

 

[centrarchid]

They will not be effective in respect to nocturnal predators. Hawks and owls will eventually ignore them even if moved about. Best method to deal with owls still likely to provide roost with entry from below. Hawks, if they are infact visiting regularly, will require more dynamic measures (i.e. cover for birds, rooster, dog or you being about while chickens free range).

 

[axion_lotus]

...oh.

I don't have much of a problem with hawks lately, but I'd like to keep such from happening.

And my birds will be locked up a night, so owls can't get into the coop. I got the owl because of the possums. My research has told me that possums hate other predators, and hate the feeling like they're being watched. I wanted to use the owl to give that "oh no, another predator is watching me" feeling that possums hate.

I also plan on placing a small FM radio streaming human voices near the coop as a sound deterrent for foxes, since most predators don't like the possible presence of humans AND they don't like the concept of a lot of things going on near the scene of their intended crime.

And my roosters were feisty, but they were never a match for the predators near where I live. The raccoons and possums always killed them first. But my roos were too big for the predators to pull through the ventilation holes where they'd entered (these have been fixed since then), and just left my precious roos to rot.

I don't want possums to hurt my babies coming in less than two weeks. I have nightmares about it. I can't stand the thought of my flock getting slaughtered again.

 

[dadsdeercamp]

my protectors of my flock
this is bowzer 18 month old newfoundland lab mix

and cloe 6 month old pom. rat terrier

havent lost any birds with them on duty yet

 

[chickerdoodle]

Why don't you try the Nite Guard?

http://buckmoorefeed.com/Poultry.aspx Just scroll down a little and you'll see it. You can check it out on the Internet further too.

I have (tightly attached with screws and washers) 1/2" hardware cloth on every place that has an opening more than 1/2".

A few good dogs are great if they are outdoors 24/7. My dog is a great deterrent as we're in the suburbs. However, she sleeps in the house at night--she's family first protector second so the coop has to be a Forte Knox.

For hawks--we have a completely covered run and the rest is netted.

 

[BWKatz]

I have read that the decoys don't decoy for very long. The night Eyes does get good reviews as does the radio. Covering every inch of open space with hardware cloth is a MUST. Complex locks to keepout raccoons also. Best of luck!

 

[buckaroo's wife]

Quote:
Just curious what you used to cover with netting? what holds up best outdoors?

 

[hippiehen]

For hawks and other daytime predators, hanging CDs from the trees/posts/whatever seems to work great!! I haven't lost a chicken in over a year and we have red tailed and sparrow hawks, cara cara's and golden eagles here!

At night I have Chewie, my pyrador

 

[chickerdoodle]

buckaroo's wife :

Quote:
Just curious what you used to cover with netting? what holds up best outdoors?

I use the same black netting used to cover ponds to protect from herons. It comes in different sizes and the ones we have used on the ponds for over 4 years are still fine.

Check my BYC Page and you'll get a glimpse of it near the bottom of the page. It is only used when we home and the dog is in the yard with the hens. Having a murder of crows is helpful as they chase the hawks away too!​