Reflective vests?

[MomotheBest]

I just lost a hen to a hawk. My flock has been free-ranging for nine months now and this is the first one I've lost to a hawk. Free-ranging them is the only option I have at the moment, so I'm now trying to think of ways to prevent another hawk attack.

I've read that hawks don't really like shiny things. If I get my chickens little vests (like the ones to prevent feather loss from roosters) and sew reflective materials/sequins/tiny mirrors onto them, would that keep the hawks away?

Thoughts?

 

[drinkoj]

I have no clue about this, but if you do it, I want to see pictures!

 

[Ladies-Eight]

I have no clue about this, but if you do it, I want to see pictures!

I want to see the pictures as well.

 

[mowin]

The hell with pics, I want a video...

 

[cmom]

I have no idea...

 

[Al Gerhart]

Chicken bling.... love it. Kudos for thinking way out side the box.

Nylon fishing line tied across an open space really helps deter winged predators. They see it and figure it is a trap of some sort. Criss cross it checkerboard style, up as high as you can manage, even six or eight feet apart helps. This is how a lot of the old game fowl breeders survived once the government cracked down on their trapping and poisoning hawks.

 

[AltonaAcres]

This might make your birds more visible to predators though..............the best free ranging breeds who are the least susceptible to predation are always darker colors, they blend in. Same for wild birds. The females who sit on the nest and have no easy escape mechanisms are always duller and less vibrant than the males of the same species. Or with fish. In our pond we tried raising bright orange goldfish and they were eaten almost instantly, whereas our brownish carp are alive and well. This is why Cornish X are bad candidates for free ranging. Sure, the shiny material may deter hawks, but crows love shiny things. And a predatory mammal would see every little movement your birds made and exactly where they were hiding.

 

[lbgreenfield]

I'd consider a mobile tractor pen for them to be in during the day when you are unable to watch over them. It will keep them somewhat protected, but allow them to free range as long as you move the pen every few days for fresh new grass/bugs.

@AltonaAcres mentioned that crows love shiny things (they do). I find that the crows are always alerting my flock to hawks/predators when they are out for supervised free range time. I have a crow family of about 10 crows that lives in a tree next to the chicken coop and they are always vigilant in watching over my property. The crow loudly and my girls always run for cover when the crows get upset! The crows have never bothered my chickens.