Protecting chickens from eagles and ravens?

[kimmom]

Any ideas? We have a raven nest in the tree next too our coop and two friends have rececntly lost their chickens to eagles! We have a large open area run, its about 30 feet by 20 feet, to big to net I think. I was thinking of running fishing line with flagging tied to it but heard that is not legal with fish and wildlife here, in case an eagle gets caught in it.

[karne]

I think the only way is to net an area, or keep them in an enclosed coop. I have seen the hawks here get about 2 inches from the ground, swooping into bushes, to try to get chickens, And, they're very persistent. My dogs will often chase them off, and the chickens run like mad when they hear the call of a big bird.

[MamaMonica]

Do you have a place under tree cover you could build the yard? We put plastic bird netting over the yard and lock them in if we're gone all day. That's when the eagles get them. If the kids are in the yard the eagles don't come down. A dog should also help.

Covering the run is the only sure way to keep eagles and hawks from getting them. Oh, and we had a hawk inside the netted yard. The gate was open and chickens free ranging. The hawk flew up and got stuck hanging by one leg from the netting! I got welding gloves and face protector on and was going to try to free him but he worked himself free and flew back out the gate. We haven't seen the hawk since. I wish I could say the same for eagles

[talia rose]

i heard that stringing up a line across your yard with old cds hung from it can deter the birds. i did try this in the door of our pen to stop the little birds from going in during the day when the door is open so they can range. didn't work but i don't think the sun hits them real good there....

[mattemma04]

I have bird netting over a run.I know it will only slow down a hawk,but hopefully give me enough time to get in and help.Deer netting is a bit stronger.Best bet ofcourse is an enclosed run with wire fencing not chicken wire.

If free range you need to plant shrubs or grasses all around,so the hens have a place to run and hide. I did the cd's and also mylar red ribbons.Looks like fire in the sun.

I herd my chickens around the yard and hawks will come darn close even with me there screaming and waving.