Trying to Foil a Red-Tailed Hawk

[BigBlueHen53]

NOPE! Even if the hawk moves on for now, it'll be back to check on your pens periodically. They hunt a large territory, so they move around a lot, but rest assured, it'll be back.
It's time to start putting in either a covered run or some serious obstacles - bushes, benches, possibly a few wide stretches of chicken netting over the corners or staked in the middle of their "football field." I hate to sound blunt, but if you don't take some measures to protect them, you've just opened a veritable smorgasbord for the RTH and its' future family!

Thanks! That is what I needed to know! I don't think I'd ever seen a RTH so close-up, and was surprised at how BIG it was!

 

[MROO]

Thanks! That is what I needed to know! I don't think I'd ever seen a RTH so close-up, and was surprised at how BIG it was!

You're very welcome. We've got all sorts of predators here, but the only one, so far, that I've lost any birds to is that blasted redtail. I sure miss seeing my biddies wander around the yard, but I'd sooner keep them safe. {{Sigh ...}}

 

[MROO]

So here are the little shelters we made for them today. We just used materials we had on hand. They are not pretty, but we hope they will be adequate. They will also provide shade.
Sigh, sorry the one pic posted twice. System glitch, apparently, and I could not delete it.

Anyway, by putting the fencing cylinders around the tables and sawhorses we hoped to foil the hawk. We might have to wrap them in sheets to make them effective, so the chooks know to get inside. What do you think?

View attachment 1933671
View attachment 1933673

They look fine! If you seriously want to dress 'em up, turn them into plant tunnels. Fall is a good time to plant something that will grow into a natural tunnel. You can even pick chicken-friendly plants, like blackberry vines or elderberry bushes or some other native plant. It's a win/win for both you and your biddies!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

They look fine! If you seriously want to dress 'em up, turn them into plant tunnels. Fall is a good time to plant something that will grow into a natural tunnel. You can even pick chicken-friendly plants, like blackberry vines or elderberry bushes or some other native plant. It's a win/win for both you and your biddies!

Ooh, that's a thought! We have lots of lilies that need thinning, and the chooks don't seem to bother them. They will do for a quick start while more permanent things get growing! Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[woodmort]

Your chicken yard sounds about like mine. To large for netting but I tried stringing fish line over much of it after lose a bird to a hawk. All it did was make it tough to walk around in the yard and mow--although I did catch a barred owl. I also put up "eyes" and an artificial owl which may or may not have worked. Now I rely on my roosters and a flock of crows that chase off hawks and owls--assuming it is the day the flock is around.

BTW I did have a young RTH get in the yard a couple of months ago--didn't lose a bird because the chickens were too large for him and the roosters chased it off. I assume it was passing through--there are a lot going by this time of year--as it hasn't been back. <Knock on wood>

 

[Shadrach]

@BigBlueHen53
This is a picture of stock net fencing that I use for the drawing on the left.
https://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/...hash=A7AD76B0A8CC8E75912086208DED2071000E9B1B
You may be able to buy sections of this at country/plants stores. You just have to adjust the gaps between the uprights.

http://www.discountfencepanels.co.u...9ECD/0A0F/1119/4455/tulip_pallisade_fence.jpg

Here, because we have an ever green oak plentiful the locals use small branches for the top and change for new when all the leaves drop off. Make good shade shelters too.

 

[Shadrach]

The general idea is you have a few of these constructions in a large run. Bushes are better, but these will offer some protection.
You need to make sure your chickens can get through the gaps. These constructions allow a chicken to go in and out at multiple points.
The stock net fence circles are the easiest to make. The wooden palisade type can look reasonably attractive, especially if the tops are covered in branches.

 

[aart]

Nice sketches @Shadrach !

 

[TexasTurkeyMama]

I was just trying to figure out what the 3 S's were. LOL

Me too.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Your chicken yard sounds about like mine. To large for netting but I tried stringing fish line over much of it after lose a bird to a hawk. All it did was make it tough to walk around in the yard and mow--although I did catch a barred owl. I also put up "eyes" and an artificial owl which may or may not have worked. Now I rely on my roosters and a flock of crows that chase off hawks and owls--assuming it is the day the flock is around.

BTW I did have a young RTH get in the yard a couple of months ago--didn't lose a bird because the chickens were too large for him and the roosters chased it off. I assume it was passing through--there are a lot going by this time of year--as it hasn't been back. <Knock on wood>