mirror ball?

brokensword · Wed Mar 22, 2023 9:15 am

Someone on FB suggested a mirrorball for hawk deterrence; anyone here using one? If so, how effective and where have you placed it; below or above the colony? Multiple balls = better or redundant? Size of ball? I like the idea overall, though, just need some insight to usage.

[edit] searching, I found both small-pieces glued-on (multi piece) and polished stainless steel versions; either one? One better than the other?

Jones4381 · Wed Mar 22, 2023 11:16 am

I don't think it would work based on my experience. several years ago I had some chickens in a pen and put up about 60 criss crossed fishing lines with approx.. 20+ or so tins (aluminum plates)....looked like a carnival with the wind blowing. One afternoon I witnessed a coopers fly in through the fishing line and tins and kill a Silkie (minature sized chicken with feathery feet...The hawks would only eat the eyes and neck area of the little guys and leave em laying on the ground. Maybe it deterred the medium and larger hawks but you really don't need to worry about those kinds anyway. Just my 2 cents and experience. Not a mirror ball but I was going for the same effect of distraction and reflection of light etc.... Didn't work with the smaller hawks that prey on smaller birds. Good luck let us know if it works if you try it please.
Amazing how a hawk can navigate around obstacles like fishing line...I was impressed with it's skill and gave up on smaller chickens...ironically they never killed a regular sized chicken but wiped out all 12 of the Silkies.

brokensword · Wed Mar 22, 2023 11:20 am

Jones4381 wrote: ↑
Wed Mar 22, 2023 11:16 am
I don't think it would work based on my experience. several years ago I had some chickens in a pen and put up about 60 criss crossed fishing lines with approx.. 20+ or so tins (aluminum plates)....looked like a carnival with the wind blowing. One afternoon I witnessed a coopers fly in through the fishing line and tins and kill a Silkie (minature sized chicken with feathery feet...The hawks would only eat the eyes and neck area of the little guys and leave em laying on the ground. Maybe it deterred the medium and larger hawks but you really don't need to worry about those kinds anyway. Just my 2 cents and experience. Not a mirror ball but I was going for the same effect of distraction and reflection of light etc.... Didn't work with the smaller hawks that prey on smaller birds. Good luck let us know if it works if you try it please.
Amazing how a hawk can navigate around obstacles like fishing line...I was impressed with it's skill and gave up on smaller chickens...ironically they never killed a regular sized chicken but wiped out all 12 of the Silkies.

Relative to your story, I HAD been wondering if putting up some lines would interfere (with both PMs and hawks). Thought it might indeed make it an obstacle course but from what you've said, seems they not only can easily see it but aren't bothered. Be interesting to hear others' experience. I also sort of thought maybe the mirror/reflection part might give hawks pause. For instance; if I had mirror balls by each gourd entry attached to the cage, would it alter a hawk's decision to attack? The FB post suggested hawks don't like reflection in their eyes (who does?) and it seemed reasonable. Your story is not encouraging but valuable nonetheless! Thanks!

Jones4381 · Wed Mar 22, 2023 11:43 am

Yeah I thought the fishing line was my primary defense but think it just became a fun thing for the Coopers to show his/her flying skills.... Tins are reflective but not like mirrors, I'll admit. One would think multiple facets balls with mirrors (disco ball?) would confuse a predator but I really don't know, I was using a poor mountain boys attempt to use what I had on hand to try and save those silkies. I lost that war but learned a great deal during the process. Looking forward to others responses experiences and opinions. I've learned people will do/try just about anything when there pets/ livestock is being predated. Looking forward to following the string.

brokensword · Wed Mar 22, 2023 11:51 am

Jones4381 wrote: ↑
Wed Mar 22, 2023 11:43 am
Yeah I thought the fishing line was my primary defense but think it just became a fun thing for the Coopers to show his/her flying skills.... Tins are reflective but not like mirrors, I'll admit. One would think multiple facets balls with mirrors (disco ball?) would confuse a predator but I really don't know, I was using a poor mountain boys attempt to use what I had on hand to try and save those silkies. I lost that war but learned a great deal during the process. Looking forward to others responses experiences and opinions. I've learned people will do/try just about anything when there pets/ livestock is being predated. Looking forward to following the string.

you'll notice I haven't mentioned ANY of these ideas yet to the Boss; I figure when that time comes, I'll have all the opinions HERE to relay back when she asks; 'uh, what are you planning on doing???' I'll just wink and say; the PM guys and gals said you hafta do it this way or all you'll see is death and mayhem. Don't want THAT, now do we??? heh heh

Thomabear · Wed Mar 22, 2023 12:10 pm

Last year when I was getting hammered by hawks, I researched reflective objects and came across an article about using the mirror balls. It stated they work for a day or so but would need to be moved almost daily. Even with that, the hawks eventually figured out the ball wasn't a threat and resumed their killing activities, ignoring the ball. I remember my dad used to hang those disposable pie plates in his fig trees. They worked for a little while but the birds figured them out and enjoyed the figs.

brokensword · Wed Mar 22, 2023 12:20 pm

Thomabear wrote: ↑
Wed Mar 22, 2023 12:10 pm
Last year when I was getting hammered by hawks, I researched reflective objects and came across an article about using the mirror balls. It stated they work for a day or so but would need to be moved almost daily. Even with that, the hawks eventually figured out the ball wasn't a threat and resumed their killing activities, ignoring the ball. I remember my dad used to hang those disposable pie plates in his fig trees. They worked for a little while but the birds figured them out and enjoyed the figs.

what if the mirrorball rotated? Or moved in the wind? (not going to matter much if there's no wind, though...)

Thomabear · Wed Mar 22, 2023 2:14 pm

brokensword wrote: ↑
Wed Mar 22, 2023 12:20 pm

Thomabear wrote: ↑
Wed Mar 22, 2023 12:10 pm
Last year when I was getting hammered by hawks, I researched reflective objects and came across an article about using the mirror balls. It stated they work for a day or so but would need to be moved almost daily. Even with that, the hawks eventually figured out the ball wasn't a threat and resumed their killing activities, ignoring the ball. I remember my dad used to hang those disposable pie plates in his fig trees. They worked for a little while but the birds figured them out and enjoyed the figs.
what if the mirrorball rotated? Or moved in the wind? (not going to matter much if there's no wind, though...)

Not sure on that one... I suppose the only way to find out is to try one. If it doesn't work, you could always donate it to the local dance hall.