A Barred Owl!

[NHMountainMan]

Because of a likely predator scare Wednesday night, I kept my chickens in their enclosed run yesterday.

Last night I heard the distinctive "who cooks for you" call of a barred owl. I was able to find him in an oak tree along side the coop area.

Any idea how long it'll hang around so I can let the girls range again?

Thx

 

[chickens really]

I don't really know except the one Owl that was up in a tree here left because the crows began to pester it in the morning..I never seen it again..

 

[imnukensc]

Barred owls are a constant here 24/7/365. They have never attempted to take any of my hens that free range daily. Barred owls are not a threat to chickens.

 

[Sue S]

We had a hawk that would fly around the duck pen & scare the ducks when they were out in the yard but thankfully never attacked them but I knew when the hawk was around because the crows would fly into the yard & start screaming & chase the hawk, after about 2 weeks the hawk was gone. So, maybe the crows will scare away an owl??

 

[centrarchid]

If the tree is a day roost, it may be around for a good while. If it is there hunting and is around consistently, then more likely than not it is catching something, most likely rodents. Barred Owls for me have only been a problem with your chickens roosting in trees. They are not at prone to go into structures or hunt on ground like Great-horned Owls do.

 

[NHMountainMan]

I don't really know except the one Owl that was up in a tree here left because the crows began to pester it in the morning..I never seen it again..

I accidentally let the flock out of the run today (pooch pushed it open and the walked out underneath him. I'm planning on leaving the dog out with them tonight as a deterrent. Fingers crossed.

 

[NHMountainMan]

If the tree is a day roost, it may be around for a good while. If it is there hunting and is around consistently, then more likely than not it is catching something, most likely rodents. Barred Owls for me have only been a problem with your chickens roosting in trees. They are not at prone to go into structures or hunt on ground like Great-horned Owls do.

Thank you. They aren't much bigger than the chickens but something scared them silly on Wednesday night :

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/evening-rescue-by-capt-chickenman.1331072/

 

[NHMountainMan]

Barred owls are a constant here 24/7/365. They have never attempted to take any of my hens that free range daily. Barred owls are not a threat to chickens.

I just recently stated letting them out within about 1/2 acre electric net area. They'd been great until Wednesday night when I found them all scattered and not back in their run or coop. None were hurt or missing but it did make for an interesting rescue and recovery mission!

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Thank you. They aren't much bigger than the chickens but something scared them silly on Wednesday night :

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/evening-rescue-by-capt-chickenman.1331072/

Well, my chickens get scared of everything. Anything that is different they go crazy

 

[NHMountainMan]

Well, my chickens get scared of everything. Anything that is different they go crazy

I'm new to chickens. I worried that my pullets were not cautious enough. They show no fear on my dog, even walking under his legs. I feared they wouldn't react if coyotes showed up. But they did seem to have instinct to scatter and hide when something scared them on Wednesday.