Do buzzards take chickens?

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Yes, I thought they only ate dead animals, but my chickens kept disappearing. Turned out it was a turkey vulture (buzzard), whatever you want to call it.
 
chfite said:
Buzzards or vultures in the United States are scavengers. It seems surprising that you saw it take one of your chickens. That is so bad in a bird that is not known for that behavior. What is called a buzzard in Europe is a raptor, the same as a hawk or eagle.

For what it's worth, vultures are a protected species in the the US.

Chris
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Yeah, well on my farm chickens are a protected species.
 
I have vultures all over my property, they nest here- both turkey and black vultures. They have been coming closer and closer to my chickens (girls). Today, a black vulture had one cornered. I was nearby and chased the vulture away. It refused to go far, so I decided it was best to put the girls in the pen for the day. My girls free roam and were not happy. Any suggestions on how to keep them at bay?
 
If you shoot one be sure and don't let anyone see you. It is a federal crime punishable by fine, confiscation of property (gun) and jail time.
 
Muffinburgler said:
It's highly impossible that a buzzard (turkey vulture, really. Buzzard is an incorrect slang term for vultures) took your chicken. They just aren't built for that sort of thing. They don't have the muscles to carry a chicken, and don't have the feet to grasp. They're built to sit on top of a carcass and eat that before waddling away.

It's most likely a hawk that's doing the killing. Either way, do NOT shoot any any of the birds you see near your flock. Vultures and all raptors are protected in all 50 states, and killing one will get you in serious trouble with the law.


The only way you can protect your flock from aerial predators is by putting something over their run, like netting.
Click to expand...
I had 2 buzzards drop down on my chickens today.
 

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