If you must keep your netting, try sewing all the pieces together with fishing lines. That is what I did for mine. And yes it is not predator proof against sewer rats or coons but they do get caught up in it LOL!
Un-freaking-believable!!!!
- Thread starter thecityman
- Start date
Did they look like this:
That's a red-tail I rescued earlier this year.
There's a thread about it if you have a lot of time on your hands...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=294877
That's a red-tail I rescued earlier this year.
There's a thread about it if you have a lot of time on your hands...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=294877
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #13
we got chickens- THAT IS IT!!! 100% dead ringer. Removes all doubt. Thanks for that. I look forward to reading about your rescue....and for the record, I don't blame the hawk nor want to harm him (thats easy to say since they didn't actually KILL any of my turks....perhaps I'd feel otherwise if it did). I really felt it was a bit of a treat to see such a majestic looking bird and to wonder at how it survives in an area where there just can't be many, if any, rabbits or mice or other natural prey (except birds and pigeons, which is probably how it makes a living). Now, I didn't like it enough that I want to see it again!!! But I fear I might, so I've got work to do! haha
What about this business of stringing up fishing line all around and over my pen??? Thumbs up or down on that suggestion, folks???
What about this business of stringing up fishing line all around and over my pen??? Thumbs up or down on that suggestion, folks???
Yes, I noticed right off you didn't mention going for your gun. And I appreciate that. The hawk in those pictures flies over my coop/ birds regularly and I haven't lost one to her; Before or after the rescue! You can live in harmony with them if you're careful.
The fishing line idea is best if you string shiny things from it that spook them (like CD's or foil). If they dive into the line you could end up with an angry, frightened, or injured bird in your yard. You don't want that!
They can't see it and it can cut up a wing or wrap around the bird.
The fishing line idea is best if you string shiny things from it that spook them (like CD's or foil). If they dive into the line you could end up with an angry, frightened, or injured bird in your yard. You don't want that!
They can't see it and it can cut up a wing or wrap around the bird.
If you got sewing skills, look at fishing line and plastic sewing needle. "Sew" the two nettings together like you are sewing two twin blankets together to make a queen size blanket. That was hubby's idea of taking two pieces of netting together and it is very strong. It is simple to do and it does not take much effort to sew it in up and down pattern and making a tie knot every so many feet to keep them going unfrayed in due time and perfect for windy weather which they do stay there.
Once you got the pieces together, run one line one way like a loom or weaving and if you have a privacy fence or chain link fence, that would be your headers or anchors to continue to weave the netting onto your fences. Knot every so often so it does not run like pantyhoses LOL!
I never used those shiny DVDs in my runs. The netting itself held itself back and a hawk wouldbe hard pressed to get into that netting. They would normally stay away.
I got my netting from Lowe's, it is called snow fences, made of plastic woven, the same opening sizes as the hardware wires. However during the snow, you would have to beat the snow off from the top because it does get heavy but it never ever did rip. Six years is a long time, all year round and still holding strong to this day. I figured I may want to replace it in the tenth year because in due time, those things will break down eventually.
Once you got the pieces together, run one line one way like a loom or weaving and if you have a privacy fence or chain link fence, that would be your headers or anchors to continue to weave the netting onto your fences. Knot every so often so it does not run like pantyhoses LOL!
I never used those shiny DVDs in my runs. The netting itself held itself back and a hawk wouldbe hard pressed to get into that netting. They would normally stay away.
I got my netting from Lowe's, it is called snow fences, made of plastic woven, the same opening sizes as the hardware wires. However during the snow, you would have to beat the snow off from the top because it does get heavy but it never ever did rip. Six years is a long time, all year round and still holding strong to this day. I figured I may want to replace it in the tenth year because in due time, those things will break down eventually.
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- #16
wegotchickens-
Just want to let you know that you owe me about an hour's pay! hahaha I'm suppossed to have been at work an hour ago but instead I couldn't stop reading your thread about your hawk, Frightful. Yep- from first post to last (that would be page 26!) I had know how it turned out....and sounded like it couldn't have gone better. Since my local hawks are currently "the enemy" I can't say I love them the way you do.....BUT I have no doubt that if I found one injured I'd have done the same thing (or at least made the effort-not sure I'd have handled it as well as you did). As I said before, even though I was angry at the hawks for scoping out my chicks, I was also facinated by them and enjoyed being able to see something so rare (at least around here) so close up. But once was enough....they need to find other food sources now! haha (they probably have other ideas, so now its a competition! ha)
Just want to let you know that you owe me about an hour's pay! hahaha I'm suppossed to have been at work an hour ago but instead I couldn't stop reading your thread about your hawk, Frightful. Yep- from first post to last (that would be page 26!) I had know how it turned out....and sounded like it couldn't have gone better. Since my local hawks are currently "the enemy" I can't say I love them the way you do.....BUT I have no doubt that if I found one injured I'd have done the same thing (or at least made the effort-not sure I'd have handled it as well as you did). As I said before, even though I was angry at the hawks for scoping out my chicks, I was also facinated by them and enjoyed being able to see something so rare (at least around here) so close up. But once was enough....they need to find other food sources now! haha (they probably have other ideas, so now its a competition! ha)
I live 4 blocks from city hall, older neighborhood, with lots of big trees. In the middle of town, I have possums, coons, hawks and tons of squirrels. Once in a great while, a snake. I used hardware cloth all around my coop after reading the accounts here of predator attacks. I only have 2 hens, but by golly, they are mine and NOT dinner for some hungry varmit, my own dog included. Oh and don't forget the feral cats the lady next door feeds. Being in town only gave you a false sense of security, the varmits are out there and where better to get a meal than in town where nobody goes hunting and squirrels, pigeons and bird feeders abound. Cover your coop and run with strong wire with small holes. If a coon can get his paw through the hole, he can kill your bird.
I wouldn't use fishing line to tie those overlaps. I'd use ribbon. Now I've been doing different crafts for years and have a ton of scrap ribbon. I had some teal blue ribbon that is about a half inch wide. That got used to tie the bird netting up to my deck. I then tied a few pieces as "flags" around the middle of the netting so the hawks could see something was there. It's like putting decals on your windows. Most birds will assume a net or a window is just and open space and run into it. Flags or decals reveal the surface to them and they know to avoid it. If you don't have ribbon, a cord of decent diameter or some yarn would work also.
Now, having said that, my baby bird run next to my deck is for daytime play only. One morning I walked out to release and feed the adults and found a small blue bird banging himself into the netting. As I approached he really freaked and tangled himself in the corner of the net. I started untangling and when I went to reach in and pull him out, he "threatened" to bite me. (He was terrified and flashed his open beak at me as a warning.) I resisted the urge to laugh and concentrated on the thought-picture that I was helping him out. Instead of touching him directly, I changed hand positions and got him untangled. He flew away quickly, but I managed to remember enough details to know that he was not a Bluebird. I think he was an Indigo Bunting.
I'm also for adding additional wire protection rather than taking down all the chicken wire and starting over.
Speaking of instinctual responses, when I introduced one of my roosters to some one month old chicks, he (Blackie the Roo) started to run up to inspect the chicks. ALL the chicks ran behind me and hid. (Momma equals saftey from strange things... including adult roosters!) I was sitting on the ground and almost eye level with Blackie. I sat up straighter (taller) and growled at Blackie "MY BABIES!" Blackie took a step back and changed his posture. Then I knew he wasn't thinking of pecking the babes. He spent most of his time watching closely the chicks that were speckled like him. It was the first time he had a chicken that looked like himself. We speculate that he might have wondered if they were his own babies. He just didn't realize they were his half-siblings. "Black Hawk" the Dominique is the father to almost all of my adult chickens. I was the first thing all my chicks saw after hatching, so I am indeed the Chicken Mom... to my flock at least.
Oh, if your town allows fireworks, you might keep a few firecrackers on hand to make noise to scare the hawks away. I, too, like hawks and have no intention of killing any. My bottlerockets are close by if ever I need to make a point to the hawk family that reside in the pine tree near my chicken run.
Now, having said that, my baby bird run next to my deck is for daytime play only. One morning I walked out to release and feed the adults and found a small blue bird banging himself into the netting. As I approached he really freaked and tangled himself in the corner of the net. I started untangling and when I went to reach in and pull him out, he "threatened" to bite me. (He was terrified and flashed his open beak at me as a warning.) I resisted the urge to laugh and concentrated on the thought-picture that I was helping him out. Instead of touching him directly, I changed hand positions and got him untangled. He flew away quickly, but I managed to remember enough details to know that he was not a Bluebird. I think he was an Indigo Bunting.
I'm also for adding additional wire protection rather than taking down all the chicken wire and starting over.
Speaking of instinctual responses, when I introduced one of my roosters to some one month old chicks, he (Blackie the Roo) started to run up to inspect the chicks. ALL the chicks ran behind me and hid. (Momma equals saftey from strange things... including adult roosters!) I was sitting on the ground and almost eye level with Blackie. I sat up straighter (taller) and growled at Blackie "MY BABIES!" Blackie took a step back and changed his posture. Then I knew he wasn't thinking of pecking the babes. He spent most of his time watching closely the chicks that were speckled like him. It was the first time he had a chicken that looked like himself. We speculate that he might have wondered if they were his own babies. He just didn't realize they were his half-siblings. "Black Hawk" the Dominique is the father to almost all of my adult chickens. I was the first thing all my chicks saw after hatching, so I am indeed the Chicken Mom... to my flock at least.
Oh, if your town allows fireworks, you might keep a few firecrackers on hand to make noise to scare the hawks away. I, too, like hawks and have no intention of killing any. My bottlerockets are close by if ever I need to make a point to the hawk family that reside in the pine tree near my chicken run.
The hawks will definately be back now that they know there is a food source there. I have had them soar right over my head literally so close I could have snatched it right out of the sky! I free range and take the chance of loosing a chicken every now and then, last strike was 2 days ago, the hawk won the battle against my bantam ee hen
and ate her alive in front of her flock mates scaring the crap out of the whole flock of course. This was only the 3rd loss we have had to a hawk in 5 yrs of free ranging. They are very brave and not scared of humans. The one that struck here sat in the pine tree outside my living room window licking his chops after the kill. He was back the next day, and the day after that he flew right over my head again. I think they are a beautiful bird but sheesh I'll be darned if I let him think this is the KFC buffet! I have heard of folks weaving webs out of fishing line around their yards to keep them at bay, I ma have to raid hubbys tackle box.... Best of luck to you, I hope your birds stay safe.
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- #20
Again, more great tips/info. The fishing line thing I was talking about wasn't for weaving my overlaps....I've heard that if you string a few pieces of fishing line in the air above and beside your pen, that the hawks will fly into it and learn that its not a good place to fly, thereby protecting the pen. Any comments on whether that might be true/might help.
The fireworks thing is a good idea. I work for the city and know all the officers so I'm sure they wouldn't be too hard on me if I shoot an occassional bottle rocket at a hawk!
The fireworks thing is a good idea. I work for the city and know all the officers so I'm sure they wouldn't be too hard on me if I shoot an occassional bottle rocket at a hawk!
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