Stella's Social Club

[mlm Mike]

Yes, scare him off!

 

[Hangtown Farms]

I am going to try and figure something out as far as covering and smaller pens. My Empordanesa run was long and narrow. I am suprised he was able to get out. To bad he was not in there when I got home. I am just hopeful my rooster injured him some as well.
I saw some blood drops in a line going towards the other end of the coop so I can only hope though he will stay away.

 

[NotAFarm]

Jason, Sorry to hear you lost another of your roosters.

Here are a couple of posts from the "Old Timers" thread that might help.....


Originally Posted by Kansas Prairie


Protect Backyard Birds From Hawks

By Melissa Mayntz,

• Shelter: Providing natural cover for small birds is the best way to protect them from hawk attacks. Dense trees, shrubbery and brush piles are all suitable, and shelter should be within 10 feet of birdfeeders so small birds can reach it quickly when they feel threatened. To make landscaping do double duty, choose plants that provide seeds or fruits for the birds and they will be able to feed in the cover and in complete safety.
• Shield Feeders: Place birdfeeders in covered areas such as under an awning or umbrella or hanging from lower tree branches where the canopy will prevent hawks from seeing available prey. Alternatively, covered platform feeders can provide some visual shielding from circling hawks.
• Avoid Ground Feeding: Birds that feed on the ground are more vulnerable to hawk attacks because they cannot react as quickly to a predator and their options are limited as to where to go. Avoid low feeders or feeding birds on the ground to minimize a hawk’s success.
• Remove Hawk Vantage Points: Hawks will often stake out suitable hunting grounds and wait for unwary prey to approach. To make your backyard less inviting, remove dead branches that a hawk may perch on, or choose a type of fencing they will not be comfortable with, such as thin wires that can be difficult for larger birds to grasp.

And this one...

Hi! Almost a year ago I put up fishing line over my coop. Looks like a giant spider web. I had hawks and owls getting to my girls. Knock on wood, since I put the 'web' up, I haven't had any more deaths. I do check it periodically to make sure it is still taut.

Lisa

The nice thing about monofilament line tenting instead of netting is that leaves and trash from trees fall through it. Bird netting sags terribly when the leaves get tangled in it. I do also have bird netting over many bushes in my tented orchard. Just in case... One large red shouldered female, and an eagle above us today. Nobody came calling, but Monty took everybody to cover. Good boy for a 7 month old cockerel !

 

[Hangtown Farms]

Jason, Sorry to hear you lost another of your roosters.

Here are a couple of posts from the "Old Timers" thread that might help.....


Originally Posted by Kansas Prairie


Protect Backyard Birds From Hawks

By Melissa Mayntz,

• Shelter: Providing natural cover for small birds is the best way to protect them from hawk attacks. Dense trees, shrubbery and brush piles are all suitable, and shelter should be within 10 feet of birdfeeders so small birds can reach it quickly when they feel threatened. To make landscaping do double duty, choose plants that provide seeds or fruits for the birds and they will be able to feed in the cover and in complete safety.
• Shield Feeders: Place birdfeeders in covered areas such as under an awning or umbrella or hanging from lower tree branches where the canopy will prevent hawks from seeing available prey. Alternatively, covered platform feeders can provide some visual shielding from circling hawks.
• Avoid Ground Feeding: Birds that feed on the ground are more vulnerable to hawk attacks because they cannot react as quickly to a predator and their options are limited as to where to go. Avoid low feeders or feeding birds on the ground to minimize a hawk’s success.
• Remove Hawk Vantage Points: Hawks will often stake out suitable hunting grounds and wait for unwary prey to approach. To make your backyard less inviting, remove dead branches that a hawk may perch on, or choose a type of fencing they will not be comfortable with, such as thin wires that can be difficult for larger birds to grasp.

And this one...

The nice thing about monofilament line tenting instead of netting is that leaves and trash from trees fall through it. Bird netting sags terribly when the leaves get tangled in it. I do also have bird netting over many bushes in my tented orchard. Just in case... One large red shouldered female, and an eagle above us today. Nobody came calling, but Monty took everybody to cover. Good boy for a 7 month old cockerel !

Thank you for the info. Fishing line is a good idea in the smaller run.

 

[Mahonri]

Got my highest # of Icelandic eggs in one day today... 6 eggs from 9 pullets. Got another six from the other layers. Record day for this year.

 

[tbitt]

Can we discuss the "fishing line" option for a second or two?

How does this work, if the hawk can not see it does it still deter them? Or are they just getting caught in it when they try to grab the birds?

I have been thinking of covering our pens some how...but they are big, and short (was originally for ducks...then I got chickens) so I am having a difficult time finding something I can afford.

 

[mlm Mike]

Can we discuss the "fishing line" option for a second or two?

How does this work, if the hawk can not see it does it still deter them? Or are they just getting caught in it when they try to grab the birds?

I have been thinking of covering our pens some how...but they are big, and short (was originally for ducks...then I got chickens) so I am having a difficult time finding something I can afford.

I know the Cleveland Zoo actually uses fishing line over some of their animals, the hares in the petting zoo comes to mind. They use the green fishing line, I can't think of how to describe the pattern, but a hawk can see it. Normally hawks swoop in to grab their prey and won't enter an area without enough room for the swoop.

 

[NotAFarm]

Can we discuss the "fishing line" option for a second or two?

How does this work, if the hawk can not see it does it still deter them? Or are they just getting caught in it when they try to grab the birds?

I have been thinking of covering our pens some how...but they are big, and short (was originally for ducks...then I got chickens) so I am having a difficult time finding something I can afford.

Tammy, I would have posted the post where BYCer thedragonlady described her "spider web" made of monfilament fishing line but even using the advance search feature, the two I posted above were the only ones I could find within a reasonable amount of time.
I do remember her describing using the line in an "unexact pattern" criss-crossing the areas she wanted to protect. That is her quote under the TexasLisa one. I looked at her profile page pics but nothing there with a pic of her set-up.

 

[The Sheriff]

Sorry about your problems Cooper.

Well, I am back from the dentist. I took a pill at 7:00 a.m. yesterday and arrived at the office at 8 a.m. and was given another pill. I don't remember anything else until I woke up in my bed last night at 10:00 p.m! I ate some yogurt and went back to sleep and woke up 15 minutes ago at 7:00 a.m. I am a little freaked out about the replacement crowns as my mouth doesn't close right. I think I need some tweaking on the points. I also have some areas of injury to the soft tissues in my mouth. I know those usually heal fast though. I am probably going to take it easy today if I can. Right now I am going to go out and feed the animals and show Loca what $1,200.00 will buy! Wish I had a hockey mask.

 

[debs_flock]

Sorry about your problems Cooper.

Well, I am back from the dentist. I took a pill at 7:00 a.m. yesterday and arrived at the office at 8 a.m. and was given another pill. I don't remember anything else until I woke up in my bed last night at 10:00 p.m! I ate some yogurt and went back to sleep and woke up 15 minutes ago at 7:00 a.m. I am a little freaked out about the replacement crowns as my mouth doesn't close right. I think I need some tweaking on the points. I also have some areas of injury to the soft tissues in my mouth. I know those usually heal fast though. I am probably going to take it easy today if I can. Right now I am going to go out and feed the animals and show Loca what $1,200.00 will buy! Wish I had a hockey mask.

Mary, I took that same pill combo about six months ago when I had a molar pulled. Amazing stuff, I'd have to think it's a biggie on the streets, LOL. I had the tooth pulled, scraped out an abscess and a bone graft done, I remember none of it!

Glad you're up and around, go shake a stick at Loca.

Deb