Cover outdoor runs to block aerial predators

Install poultry netting, deer netting, or wire mesh over the top of outdoor runs to prevent attacks from hawks, owls, and eagles. Secure the covering tautly so predators cannot push through or become entangled, which can tear the netting.

Why It Works

Birds of prey are a major daytime threat to chickens, ducklings, and rabbits. A hawk can kill a full-grown chicken in seconds. Overhead netting removes the aerial attack vector entirely, and even lightweight deer netting is sufficient to deter raptors from diving.

Tips

• For large runs, use a center support pole or wire to prevent netting from sagging under rain or snow weight
• Deer netting is cheaper but degrades in UV light after 1-2 years; wire mesh lasts much longer
• Hawks and owls are federally protected — deterrence and exclusion are the only legal options