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Are Some Colors More Attractive to Aerial Predators?

Poll Results: I have lost birds to aerial predators that were:

This is a multiple choice poll
  • 51% (17)
    White
  • 36% (12)
    Light colored
  • 6% (2)
    Dark colored
  • 9% (3)
    Barred
33 Total Votes  
post #1 of 17
12/6/11 at 9:14am
Thread Starter 

I am making this poll for OldGuy43. smile

While I just started keeping chickens last spring and have seen over 14 hawks circling near my place, have a huge flock of crows during the day as well as owls at night, I have never lost a bird to any of these. While part of our flock's run is covered by a tree an area of about 50'x10' is completely open to aerial attack and that's where they spend most of their day.

Since I keep only Red Sex Links that got me to wondering if color has something to do with it.

~Heather

 

"Music is what makes me dream... It's what makes me desire something..."

 

~Her Passion for Poultry~    ~Larksong Photography~

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~Heather

 

"Music is what makes me dream... It's what makes me desire something..."

 

~Her Passion for Poultry~    ~Larksong Photography~

Reply

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post #2 of 17
12/6/11 at 9:19am

I have noticed that I have lost mostly light colored and white birds to hawks but I have lost a few barred ones as well. I have yet to lose a 'dark colored' bird though to hawks....interesting..

Buff Orpingtons, Wheaten Ameraucanas. Bantam Lav. Ameraucanas, Easter Eggers, Bantam Cochins. LF Cochins
Muscovys, Brown Chinese Geese,Toulouse, Pekins, Khaki Campbells and rabbits...

Whats not to love about pets you can eat?
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Buff Orpingtons, Wheaten Ameraucanas. Bantam Lav. Ameraucanas, Easter Eggers, Bantam Cochins. LF Cochins
Muscovys, Brown Chinese Geese,Toulouse, Pekins, Khaki Campbells and rabbits...

Whats not to love about pets you can eat?
Reply
post #3 of 17
12/6/11 at 9:49am
Thread Starter 

All the birds I've lost to hawks have been barred. And all the stuff I read about the barring being camoflage... Go figure. roll

~Heather

 

"Music is what makes me dream... It's what makes me desire something..."

 

~Her Passion for Poultry~    ~Larksong Photography~

Reply

~Heather

 

"Music is what makes me dream... It's what makes me desire something..."

 

~Her Passion for Poultry~    ~Larksong Photography~

Reply
post #4 of 17
12/6/11 at 9:52am

Haven't lost any to aerial predators during the day and I have all colors.  No, the white ones do not attract attention.........

Jean
President of the Ameraucana Breeders Club/UOC Member - Disclaimer:  "Not all opinions made by me are the opinions of the ABC"

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Jean
President of the Ameraucana Breeders Club/UOC Member - Disclaimer:  "Not all opinions made by me are the opinions of the ABC"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reply
post #5 of 17
12/6/11 at 10:36am

Thanks again Lothiriel. smile

Have a nice holiday.

OldGuy43

When evaluating data one should always consider the source and remember, no one wants to make illegal that which he wants to do.

 

All of our money is invested in T Bills.

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OldGuy43

When evaluating data one should always consider the source and remember, no one wants to make illegal that which he wants to do.

 

All of our money is invested in T Bills.

Reply
post #6 of 17
12/6/11 at 12:00pm

I lost a Barred Rock to a hawk this past January. A few months ago another hawk tried to get one of my Hamburgs but I frightened it off.


     Most people have no clue...think about it:   Forewarned is Forearmed

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     Most people have no clue...think about it:   Forewarned is Forearmed

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post #7 of 17
12/6/11 at 12:01pm

I ALWAYS loose white birds before any other color roll I have stopped keeping white birds for this reason.

Permitted wildlife rehabber, specializing in the North American Bobcat

 

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Permitted wildlife rehabber, specializing in the North American Bobcat

 

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post #8 of 17
12/6/11 at 12:08pm

I have actually read that crows can help deter hawk attacks.  The crows may decide to steal a few eggs though.

CHICKENS:to name just a few cochin, orpington,  OEG  also have: mute swans, geese, and cats
  SEE MY BYC PAGE  for photos 

  SEE MY  CHICKEN PAGE for even more photos

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CHICKENS:to name just a few cochin, orpington,  OEG  also have: mute swans, geese, and cats
  SEE MY BYC PAGE  for photos 

  SEE MY  CHICKEN PAGE for even more photos

Reply
post #9 of 17
12/6/11 at 12:10pm

They do not care they will take whatever they think they can, don't matter what color it is.

“You can’t really begin to appreciate life until it has knocked you down a few times. You can’t really begin to appreciate love until your heart has been broken. And you can’t really begin to appreciate happiness until you’ve known sadness. Once you’ve walked through the valley, the view from the mountaintop is breathtaking"

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“You can’t really begin to appreciate life until it has knocked you down a few times. You can’t really begin to appreciate love until your heart has been broken. And you can’t really begin to appreciate happiness until you’ve known sadness. Once you’ve walked through the valley, the view from the mountaintop is breathtaking"

Reply
post #10 of 17
12/6/11 at 12:10pm

pips&peeps :

Haven't lost any to aerial predators during the day and I have all colors.  No, the white ones do not attract attention.........


Ditto!

If you died tonight, where would you spend eternity?  Please think about it. 

Info we all need to know:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDDGl79x4Pc&feature=my_favorites&list=FLIvzTTPS3Bg-qsbs8VPh__Q


 

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If you died tonight, where would you spend eternity?  Please think about it. 

Info we all need to know:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDDGl79x4Pc&feature=my_favorites&list=FLIvzTTPS3Bg-qsbs8VPh__Q


 

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BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Raising BackYard Chickens › Predators and Pests › Are Some Colors More Attractive to Aerial Predators?