sick of hawks killing my chickens...

[Compost King]

Hawks can't take off with a chicken vertically, you do not even need netting across the entire area. Ropes across the top of the run will stop them from even trying if they are spaced tightly enough... or partial netting. But if you do not mind spending just net off the whole thing to be safe. I use all that left over straw bale string I collect and throw a few bamboo poles on top of that to deter hawks.

 

[chickens really]

A friend of mine has plastic decoy owls and crows in her yard. She swears they work.

 

[PattyNH]

i've lost so many chickens due to hawks.. and its honestly getting sad and annoying.. and i can't put a roof on the runs because i live in new england. the heavy snow weighs down any netting or line put up. The dogs can't stay in the backyard 24/7. roosters never seem to help.
i'm so lost as to what to do!?!?

I'm from Southern NH too! I feel your pain as far as the snow ripping down any netting lol. We tried various strategies, including putting PVC supports across the run in a crisscross fashion. One storm and the load not only ripped down the netting but also most of the 1x2s we had supporting the 4x4 posts above the fence and therefore 2 8ft panels of chain link

Basically I free range during the days and lock them up in a secure coop at night. I have various hides (bushes, pallets, and random "stuff" they can scoot under should the need arise. I recently renovated my barn (adding 12 new chickens made the previous coop no longer sufficient - damn TSC chick days!!) and leave the barn door open while they are out. They usually stay fairly close to it and race in if they get spooked (they are paranoid about anything in the sky so even the frequently passing planes heading to/from MHT sent them running every time). My new nemesis has become a pack/family of fox that is visiting every night. But sometimes they come during the day too. Basically my (long winded) suggestion is to add more hidey spots and leave their covered runs and coop doors open.

Hoping things turn around for you!!

Patty

 

[llombardo]

A friend of mine has plastic decoy owls and crows in her yard. She swears they work.

I haven't saw a hawk in a while until this morning. I wouldn't have saw it if not for the crows.i have not heard or seen crows for a while either.this morning the crows were loud and chased the hawk off. Once the crows started, my ducks started quacking away, then the chickens went on alert. One of the girls tilted her head and was eying the sky. I do have a net over the run, but I stuck around for awhile. Imagine being an hour late for work and telling your boss it was because if a hawk.

The crows defintely did their job today.