The Hawk Strikes again. Time for Plan B

We were able to get about a week and half without the hawk after adding the owl decoys and the reflective tape. Well it became obvious that was only a temporary solution. The hawk has since returned and it's time to start plan B.
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***********ROCKY CREEK HOMESTEAD****************
After battling Psoriasis for years, I discovered the power of quality food and its positive impact on my skin condition. This sparked my desire to raise my own quality food. So come along with our Family as we transition from urban living to small self sustaining family farm. Learn from both our successes and failures in hopes it may inspire others to try new things. We entered into this journey with no prior experience and hope to provide many laughs and learning experiences. We learned most of how to do what were doing from watching others and hope to be able to provide a similar learning opportunity to anyone else who may benefit from this. Thank you for coming along with us on this journey and we hope it is enjoyable for you and your family.

[@emilytorres777]

Myocarditis / heart issues are a side effect of the v@xx.. I'm assuming you got it since you are still working as a police officer. Something to look into. I am enjoying your content ♡

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

It’s funny you say that because I truly thing the vaccine did cause this. When I mentioned it to both the family doctor and cardiologist they immediately dismissed it 🤔.

[@emilytorres777]

@@RockyCreekHomestead Praying for a speedy recovery and some answers 🙏 Your gut is probably right. Check out the VAERS database.

[@andybuckthorn8042]

Take a d-dimer test and see if you have blood clotting.

[@johngolly2163]

Talk about a full plate. Prayers for a speedy fix on the health issues. Looking forward to see how your Hawk deterrent efforts go. Thanks for the update Stan.

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

I’ve always been one to stay on the move. I have a hard time sitting still. I sure hope this works. I like the openness of the above area of our coops run but I’m not sure it will be able to stay that way. 🤞this will work. Thanks and take care

[@liad4482]

I got some crow decoys from Amazon. Worked very well so far

[@NonaMaryGrace1952]

This has been very helpful. We had a hawk attack just the other day. 💕NonnaGrace 🐓

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

Ah man I’m sorry. Our layers of protection since this video include a guard goose, reflective items hanging, owl decoys and our rooster. So far it’s seems to be working.

[@darinbennett3638]

Hey, Stan...the homestead is looking good. Sorry to hear about the continued issues with the hawk. Hopefully your fishing line will give you some relief and protection for the chickens. Prayers for your ear ache and heart beat issues. Like you said, I'm sure your work raises your blood pressure...I see the same thing in our kids who share your line of work. Be safe, my friend.

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

Thank you. They say for my age and health, they’re sure things are fine but want to be sure. I appreciate the prayers. I’m looking forward to some better weather so we can make some progress on some big chores I need to get done outside. Thanks again and take care.

[@kitdriscoll1288]

Doing a little binge watching.... new to your channel.

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

Welcome and thanks for taking the time to watch.

[@leslieallen463]

I ended up getting a bird netting from Amazon and draped it over my whole run. If I can add a link to the one I got I will... I then used 7 ft tall T post and put them through the Run sporadically to hold the netting up so I could walk under it. Mine was 33x13 but they make different sizes

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

Great thanks for the information. My thought was if I had to go the netting route, maybe the existing fishing line I ran may offer some support as well. Time will tell. Thank you.

[@leslieallen463]

@@RockyCreekHomestead oh good idea. I haven't had a chance to watch yet because I was working. I just saw the video alert pop up and figured I'd tell you what I did. :)

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

No worries I appreciate it. Netting may be where I end up in the long run but one can hope.

[@lorineidtinytoadplot744]

Congratulations on second place 👍

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

Thank you. We’re a young group so I was very pleased with the 2nd place finish. Next year we’ll get it 😉

[@AngelaMudd]

Please be careful when taking the line down so non gets tossed on the ground where critters can get caught up in. 😊

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

Good point. I’ve since taken it all down. It worked for a while, but eventually became ineffective. We’ve since added a feed cover and a guard goose. Been over a year without an attack since

[@CecilliaDB]

Goodness this hawk is giving you one heck of a time! Be sure to take care of yourself..and also listen to Mrs. Rocky Creek. I’m sure she’s told you to take it easier.

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

Oh yea she’s a worrier and has been all over me. We’re very much opposites but that’s probably why we’ve stayed together so long. Thanks.

[@ralphaustin6183]

Ever heard of a 22 caliber?

[@snoodlegirl1794]

Got put top up

[@TheMDelima]

You tell that hawk you're watching him like a police officer!!! Good luck. I hope this works to protect your chickens.

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

😂 we’ve been hawk free for some time now so I think we’re past that phase thank goodness. Now the trees are filling in with leaves so I think we’re going to be in the clear for a while now.

[@TheMDelima]

@@RockyCreekHomestead oh great! Here in Massachusetts our trees are still pretty slim. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. I'm learning a lot from you and hope to start homesteading soon. Your little girl cracks me up. We have two girls and a little guy too.

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

That’s awesome. We’re glad to have you and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. The little ones absorb this lifestyle like a sponge and learn so much. Thanks

[@snoodlegirl1794]

I watched guy put string back forth yard. Another planted lots bushes tree cover garden hens hang out in

[@caitlindefeo6144]

Great video! Any update on the fishing line experiment? Considering giving this a go on my chicken run too.

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

So I ended up taking it down. It seemed to work, but the way I ran it, it was getting in my way. I needed to run it higher on the sides. We’ve since added a guard goose to our flock and we’ve not had any issues since. Hopefully it’ll stay that way.

[@justjamie22]

Freaking Hawk! Ughh! How frustrating!! We ran pink twine on 6 foot tomato stakes in a zigzag pattern and (knock on wood) the hawk didn't make another attempt. I'm interested to see if the hawk will be able to see the fishing line and see that it doesn't have a clear swoop path. We had to remove our twine zigzag when we moved the Guineas, but we will be putting it back up soon as we've completely re-designed our run area. (Thank goodness for the premier1 netting!)

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

Glad the twine worked for you. Gives me a little hope. Time will tell. Worst case, we’ll end up using the net after all but hopefully not

[@justjamie22]

@@RockyCreekHomestead oh! I meant to say I'm sooo excited to see what that Ayam/barred rock grows up to look like!! I told Pete last night I was sad there is only 1 because I'd come and scoop up the other one haha!! Just kidding!! What a really cool mix! I'll be interested to see if the tongue and mouth/insides are black or pink!!

[@donnalovintexas8760]

I hope the fishing line works for you. It is so irritating to have to keep dealing with a predator. I only have 6 chickens and a roo so the dog kennel with the mesh cover has worked great for me. The roo maybe temporary if he charges my leg again. Ya'll Stay Safe and God Bless.

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

Oh man, we’ve been lucky we haven’t had a rooster be aggressive towards us yet. So far the fishing line is working but I think more time is needed to know for sure.

[@chickencoop4thesoul]

The barred rock/ ayam chick is gorgeous! I’m sorry you’re still dealing with the hawk. I’d cut right to the chase, nip this in the bud, and just good quality bird net the entire enclosure. It seems like it would be a worth while investment for someone like yourself who plans to continue to homestead. Get some posts in there to get the vertical height you need and prevent sagging to keep the netting taught and you’ll be golden. Stay healthy and safe my blue line brother!

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

Thank you for the insight and opinion. It’s much appreciated. I was just telling my wife how neat the Ayam / BR cross is. I can’t wait to see how it grows up and looks full size.

[@chickencoop4thesoul]

@@RockyCreekHomestead It may be the first hawk praying on the chickens, but I’m sure it won’t be the last in years to come sadly.

[@lindasexton8505]

Prayers going up for your health..thank u for the info on hawks..I'm gonna try the fishing line...

[@darinbennett3638]

How is the fishing line working to keep the hawk away?

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

So far it seems to be working but time will really tell. I think if we get a week or two without issues, I’ll feel more confident. I’ll be sure to update

[@jackie5046]

A question: what happens to the overhead bird netting when it snows? I'm a new chicken mama trying to figure things out and I am very concerned about hawks also but it just seems to me that the netting cannot survive a snowstorm.... I'd love to hear your thoughts.

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

We haven’t had a decent snow since I put up some netting. Weve only had about 2 inches and most of the snow went through the net. The netting has developed some sagging and I’ve since propped up an 8’ wooden post on the center which seems to help a lot

[@cherokeepurple4480]

The snow weighs down the netting and often sticks to the netting. I use the 2” aviary netting. It sags wherever there’s no supports in the middle. I use an electric poultry fence so it’s a pain to use it since I move my chickens often.

[@dmark6699]

My idea was to make a chicken decoy but electrify it with electric fence.

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

That would be awesome if it works

[@SouthEasternMichiganOutdoors]

look into "Hawk Stopper"

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

Cool, thank you for sharing

[@vanmann8347]

You better invest in a quality netting.

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

Appreciate the recommendation. The price of to cover my area was very expensive. I’ve opted to add a goose and some additional areas that are covered for feeding etc.. I understand the netting is the best option but it’s just not affordable for me at the time

[@sheilamclaughlin963]

22 with bird shot in the butt will send it on the way too close would probably kill it

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

I sure would’ve liked to. Thankfully our issue has since stopped. Hopefully it will stay that way.

[@maddog45auto66]

Get you a 12 gauge guard dog

[@bigtime37ja]

Interesting idea using the fishing line. Good luck and congrats to your team for finishing in second. Stay warm

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

Thanks buddy. I sure hope it works. Luckily it was inexpensive

[@fargoalspach557]

I m fighting an eagle , it hasn’t got one yet but it’s lurking really close lately. I have a run but I like to let them free but really appreciate your input on this kind of matter.

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

It was a pain dealing with this. We’ve since added a goose to be a watch dog if you will and it’s been probably the coolest addition yet. I didn’t think I’d like her as much as I have.

[@fargoalspach557]

So the guard goose has defended the roost huh? Were you able to let the chickens out now with any issues?

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

So our hawk saga ended with our rooster fighting off the hawk while it was attacking one of our hens. I had the gosling then but it was brooding. Since the last attack, I’ve added the goose to the flock which she just hangs with the chickens all day everyday and added a cover to their feeding area. I’m almost a year now without any other hawk attacks. The goose is always on alert, squawks and flaps it’s wing when senses danger. I don’t know if she’s actually fight a hawk, but she definitely notifies them of danger in the area

[@snoodlegirl1794]

Put screen or wire on top

[@samhaines829]

I've been told hawk taste like chicken. If I had a hawk set near my fence, it'd be dinner. Who's the real predator now? I eat squirrel, and rabbit so hawk is just a different flavor in my book. Attack my chickens and you'll have to pay a price. On a side note. I watch too much KZbin and EdibleAcres has a great approach similar to your fishing line that you might want to try some of. I'm going to work on some of it in a couple of months when it starts warming up.

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

I like the way you think. Thankfully we’ve been hawk free for a while now. As we head into another winter, we’ll see soon enough if we’re going to have more issues or not.

[@playsportfun3356]

You saved them from execution but they are now doing life in prison. If they aren't eating grass you might as well just get grocery store eggs. Eating the same food.

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

We’ve since added some other layer of protections. I’d disagree with the prison concept because of lack of grass. I add wood chips and organic matter several times a year and it’s amazing the amount of bugs they find throughout a day. I respect your opinion and appreciate you taking time to watch.

[@playsportfun3356]

@@RockyCreekHomestead blood clotting (excluding the vaxed) is caused even calcium mixes with cholesterol. Cholesterol is good. You can't get enough. Animals that eat grass not wood chips. Convert K1 to K2. K2 is what takes the calcium in your blood and moves it to your bones, hair, teeth and nails. Blood flow is good. Cholesterol is good. K2 is what is lacking from our modern diet. For your families health they need to eat grass.

[@lpmoron6258]

Has the fishing line kept the game away? I have 3 plaguing my flock.

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

Oh man sorry your dealing with hawks too. The lines worked for about a month but eventually a hawk navigated it. I have since added a guard goose and since the addition of the goose, I’ve not had an issue. Hopefully it will stay that way.

[@lpmoron6258]

@@RockyCreekHomestead how long has the goose been there? Do they free range together?

[@leekinanus7409]

Hope you feel better. I had heartbeat issues for years. I finally had a cardiac ablation that took care of that. Hopefully they’ll find out what’s going on… it’s not a uncommon thing.

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

Thanks, I’m sure it’s nothing too major if anything at all. Appreciate it.

[@justinechamelle9535]

I second the fully net the entire enclosure idea. I’m sure there will be other hawks / air predators in the future, just fix it once and for all.

[@RockyCreekHomestead]

Thank you. That may very well be where we end up.