Cover the outdoor run to block aerial predators

Install a solid cover over your entire outdoor run to protect chickens from hawks, owls, and eagles. Raptors are among the most common daytime predators of free-range chickens and are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, making lethal control illegal. A covered run is the only reliable defense.

Why It Works

Hawks and owls hunt by diving from above. A physical barrier eliminates their attack angle entirely. Hardware cloth provides the strongest cover but is expensive for large runs. Heavy-duty bird netting (2-inch mesh or smaller) is a lighter, cheaper alternative that still prevents raptors from reaching your birds.

Tips

• For small runs under 100 sq ft, use hardware cloth for maximum protection
• For larger runs, use UV-stabilized bird netting rated for outdoor use — cheap garden netting degrades within a season
• Secure netting tightly so birds of prey cannot push through sagging sections
• Add overhead perches or shade structures inside the run so chickens have places to hide if startled