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Originally Posted by MandiesMom  This might sound like a silly question, but I've really been thinking about this and wanted some opinions. We have a hawk (or 2) and a couple of owls at night. I was wondering...since these raptor birds go after small prey animals, what if I put some sort of clothing on Mandie when she is outside?
Do you think a predator bird might see a yorkie in clothing and think, "Hey, that's not an animal. It has clothes on" and then leave her alone?
And about the covering over the yard idea above...I've been trying to figure out an affordable way to do something like that too. Ugh... |
LOL
Dunno...what kind of clothing would it take...super lightweight, grass-camo umbrella hat harness that completely conceals the Yorkie and looks to the bird like wind blown grass, and for Mommy, a matching baseball bat as a surprise gift for the bird?
I know there are covered run kennels, screen enclosures, kitty tunnels, etc., designed to protect your loved critter while allowing them outdoor life. For the whole yard, it might be difficult...might require permits (gov...ugh) that might be tricky. I wouldn't think you'd need to cover the entire yard...just make access to it difficult for the bird. With a small yard, like I had at condo apts. (which were 3 story, actually), where there is also tall fencing separating them, maybe long poles with fishing line strung across the tops to prevent the larger wingspans from entering. You could probably build something like that on the ground and if you already have fencing, maybe just attach to the existing fence. Again, dunno, but a hawk is a threat, as is an owl, which might be trickier to see coming.
I have somewhat 'natural' protection from high hunting predators by huge granddaddy oak trees covering most of my yard, but if the bird was in the tree, well, I worry, too, about every little sound and movement. I have for some time now been contemplating a covered x-pen myself so they can stay out longer when they want to...sometimes they don't want to come back in and will just lay or sit down, leaving me no choice but to carry them back inside...and feel guilty in the process.
Here are some commercial products I've previously 'bookmarked' as samples:
Cat Fun Run...not suitable for 'business' but for outdoor fresh air that travels easily:
Cat Outdoor Containment: Fun Run Outdoor Enclosure at Drs. Foster & Smith Crazy Maize Cat Tunnel | Indoor Outdoor Cat Enclosures
Screen Houses...again, not necessarily suitable for 'business':
Outdoor Cat Enclosures: Kritter Kommunity Kritter Kondo Deluxe Outdoor Supplies: Happy Habitat for Cats: DrsFosterSmith.com
X-Pen Sunshade:
Pet Kennel Sun Shade by Precision Pet | DrsFosterSmith.com Small Pet Playpen with Mat/Cover Dog Exercise Pen: Portable Exercise Pen for Dogs | DrsFosterSmith.com
I'd be interested in everyone else's ideas!
