Purple Spiderweb of Doom!

[GitaBooks]

Yesterday, I lost my first chicken to a hawk. I've lost chickens to other predators before, but rarely. A stray cat, I think a raccoon a couple of times, but no major predators. Well, this Red-tail is preparing for migration and the chicks are all fledging their nests, so they are ready to eat. I went out to check on my chickens and found Galadriel, my Buff Brahma pullet, had been killed. The other chickens were all hiding. I found those that were hiding outside and brought them into the coop, locking them in until I could think of a solution.
First I tried stretching orange plastic fencing across their huge run, or at least part of it. It was far too heavy and was ripping. I tried fencing them in with orange cloth. They just tried to escape and were unhappy. I tried some weed protector netting. Not enough of it and it was too dark (it didn't let light through). I thought of getting goats (too much work), using string, climbing onto the roof to hang the orange fence, putting out a bunch of tables for them to hide under, getting rid of a third of my chickens and then locking them all in the barn. All of those seemed like a lot of work, and so was sitting out with my chickens all day (which is what I basically did).

So, I got some old sheets and decided to try building something that would tangle up a dive bombing hawk and give the chickens time to run for cover.

THE PURPLE SPIDERWEB OF DOOM (with a little blue mixed in there)



I can't say it is the easiest to get under, especially when carrying out two gallons of chicken water, but as long as it keeps hawks away, I'll use it.


R.I.P. Galadriel (it is really hard to tell her apart from her brother, Bubs, but I'm pretty sure this is one of the last pictures I took of her. Her brother is in the photo above)


I hope it works!

 

[cavemanrich]

Hawks are the hardest to predator proof in a large open area. I have them come over my area like drones. There are the large Red Tail hawks as well as some smaller varieties. In my opinion, trees, bushes, and other overhead cover seems to work best. When my chickens see a flying raptor, the alarm goes off and all of them run for the cover of the bushes. I have seen the hawks perch in a tree and wait for an opportunity. When my chickens kept making noise and kept hiding in the bushes, they out waited the hawk . Hawk eventually left.. Most likely for an easier meal. I also keep pigeons. Hawks, large and small , do like them for lunch as well, Have seen my pigeons in escape mode from hawks. After many hours, pigeons returned. They must have been in hiding for extended time. Have had pigeons that went for flight and did not return. I did not see them get eaten, so not sure of their circumstances in their disappearance.
I wish you success in your , method of deterrence. I have read threads here about hawks as predators. One person said he had a solution, but it was illegal. It was obvious what he implied.
If you read many of my posts, you would know my attitude and position. Cavemanrich does not kill anything. ( flies and mosquitoes excluded )
If you provide a net or tarp covered area for your chickens to hide under, it may be a solution. Hawks need to drop down on their prey and catch , as they land. I have not seen a hawks chase its prey on the ground. I did say " I " , maybe others seen different.
WISHING YOU BEST. With chickens and your book writing endeavors.

 

[GitaBooks]

Thanks.

I don't kill predators either, but I'll tell you this, I was a little tempted with that hawk. They just seem a little nastier then a mammal predator for some reason, maybe because of those eyes. Still, they are awesome birds, and its illegal anyways. Laws are laws, and I feel I should try to follow them (even if I named the hawk Stew for a reason. Lol.

).