Aggressive chickens

[annelions]

Last year, I would occasionally find a dead dove in the yard where the chickens are. I figured that the chickens got tired of the doves stealing food from the feeder and decided to off them, since they'd just ignore the corpse afterwards.

In the past couple days, however, they've gone and killed and (at least partially eaten) at least three sparrows. Do they need more protein? Are they just having fun? I don't want them getting sick, but I'm not sure how to actually stop them from doing this. They're not eating all their food every day, so I don't think they're actually truly hungry when they're doing this.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

The only way to really stop this would be to keep the wild birds from getting in with your flock - meaning an enclosed and covered run. That said, I am surprised they are able to finish the wild bird w/out the wild bird flying off as they tend to be more prone to startle/flight - are you absolutely certain that the chickens are killing the birds (have seen them do it)? My concern would be that the birds are succumbing to other causes and, depending on that cause, could be a danger to your flock.

 

[annelions]

I'm absolutely positive that the chickens are killing the birds. Up until when I got the chickens, there were NO dead birds ever in my yard. I'm sure that they are "clean" as far as not having any diseases that makes them abruptly drop dead while stealing from the feeder or the water. At least not 3 times in 2 days.

As for why they're not able to fly away, I'm not sure. But I know that they apparently view the chickens as REALLY big pigeons. I've seen them hopping around the chickens' feet like it ain't no thang. And the chickens usually ignore them, until they decide to go on a murder rampage.