My biggest loss to predation has been to weasels. I eliminated that by moving the henhouse out from under the trees; weasels don’t like crossing open ground as it makes them vulnerable to hawks and owls. Now my biggest problem is raccoons and foxes; I no longer let them free range unless I’m around. I heard a ruckus from my meat birds earlier this summer, stepping out the door I saw a fox trying to get at them through the fence. She circled around the dooryard and I had my sights on her but was loathe to pull the trigger as I knew she had babies nearby; compassion which has bitten me in the a** before and probably will again.
Hawk protection for the flock.
- Thread starter Alan W.
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FarmerPhilip
Member
I've repeatedly read that these predator birds (not just hawks) hate shiny objects and that hanging a few CDs around will do the job. Personally, I would not like strings strung all over the place like this, it's and can come up with 10 reasons why not. The first of which is I'm sure I'd get caught in it! ::laughing::
I think the idea of trying to deter the predator instead of kill it is excellent and it's not easy to do. I plan to have a couple of tripods with CDs hanging from them next spring to try that method out, we'll see if it works.
Jstpssng, you might be repaid for your compassion with less rabbits easting your plants, less rodents everywhere, and a bunch of other benefits too. There's two sides (or more) to most stories!
I think the idea of trying to deter the predator instead of kill it is excellent and it's not easy to do. I plan to have a couple of tripods with CDs hanging from them next spring to try that method out, we'll see if it works.
Jstpssng, you might be repaid for your compassion with less rabbits easting your plants, less rodents everywhere, and a bunch of other benefits too. There's two sides (or more) to most stories!
OP
Alan W.
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I will have to admit had I been home when the attack occurred things would have ended differently. I had raised this rooster from a homemade incubator and he was a pet to me.
From the abundant hawk feathers he gave a pretty good fight.
From the abundant hawk feathers he gave a pretty good fight.
radios1
Elite Member
I have chickens, and had 2 Ducks, one time a hawk tried to get the chickens, and was attacked by the Ducks, it was fearing for it's life, as it's tail feathers were pulled out.. it couldn't get out of there fast enough!!..
That would have been a good YouTube moment! :laughing:
radios1
Elite Member
yep, I didn't think of that though.
Shaneard
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The only time we ever had chickens on the farm was when I was a kid. Last thing I remember about them was an ax to the neck over a stump and mom frying them. Man they were good.
They probably have laws against that now :confused2:
They probably have laws against that now :confused2:
radios1
Elite Member
I hear it's a good idea to raise Canada geese with your chickens, geese make very good defenders..
NorTracNY
Platinum Member
I ate at a restaurant on the water one time. They combined what the OP said and what Farmer Phillip mentioned. They had several strands of film from the old VHS tapes crisscrossing over the tables. They didn't have nearly the number the OP shows, but they had them crisscrossing. They would twist and did an excellent job keeping the birds away.