I have been using electric net fencing (100') successfully for many years and would rarely lose chickens to hawks, but in the last year, a pair of red shouldered hawks moved in and they are causing a major problem. I had too many attacks last season and ended up keeping the chickens inside for the rest of the fall and winter (they have a very large covered run plus a large coop). The first day I let them out this spring, a hawk came down and attacked. The second time I thought they would be safe if I was out there with them, but no, a hawk came down 15 feet from me and tried to get a hen.
Has anyone successfully deterred hawks in such a large area? I considered using bird netting, but it is an awfully large space to put it up in and I am not sure how I would secure it without having a lot of posts going around the fencing and that defeats the purpose of being able to regularly move the fencing (I like the chickens to have fresh grass periodically).
The chickens technically have enough room in their run, but I feel bad not letting them have the extra space and access to fresh grass and bugs.
Has anyone successfully deterred hawks in such a large area? I considered using bird netting, but it is an awfully large space to put it up in and I am not sure how I would secure it without having a lot of posts going around the fencing and that defeats the purpose of being able to regularly move the fencing (I like the chickens to have fresh grass periodically).
The chickens technically have enough room in their run, but I feel bad not letting them have the extra space and access to fresh grass and bugs.