Any advice for dealing with bald eagles?

[lazy gardener]

1" holes would not survive the winter here. We get big dumps of snow on a regular basis, and it can be preceded or followed by a 1/2" glaze of ice. Some storms, with ice, I actually have to knock snow through the 2 x 4.

 

[Trish1974]

All raptors are federally protected in the USA. Enjoy seeing our national birds__ up close and personal!__ It's 'mass x velocity squared = energy/ force applied'. I don't think eagles hunt like peregrine falcons! Eagles swoop, so much lower velocity. Your run cover should be fine. Maybe add some shelters for the birds in there to hide under, so they can feel safer.
Your visiting eagles won't get dinner at your house, and will likely move on to a better hunting area, like our local hawks.
We now have some eagles here, but mostly they are getting fish, and carrion.
Mary

They do have various shelters in their run. I am a little surprised the eagles are coming up for land prey this early in the winter, as the river is not frozen or excessively high or muddy. Hope they aren't getting easy meals! An immature eagle killed my neighbor's rooster a few years back when the river was flooded way over its banks (which was seen by the neighbor on the opposite side of me).

 

[The Phantom]

I would say if the eagle hit it, he would hurt himself and not break through. The do not dive like others.

 

[Trish1974]

I feel a lot better hearing they probably won't try it, and if they do probably won't succeed. Thanks for the input everyone!

 

[chickencheeper]

All raptors are federally protected in the USA. Enjoy seeing our national birds__ up close and personal!__ It's 'mass x velocity squared = energy/ force applied'. I don't think eagles hunt like peregrine falcons! Eagles swoop, so much lower velocity. Your run cover should be fine. Maybe add some shelters for the birds in there to hide under, so they can feel safer.
Your visiting eagles won't get dinner at your house, and will likely move on to a better hunting area, like our local hawks.
We now have some eagles here, but mostly they are getting fish, and carrion.
Mary

I agree, if @Trish1974 has any water near her then the eagles will most likely just leave her flock alone and go for the fish(not to say they won’t try to eat the chickens, they can’t resist but they will be deterred by the humans and netting

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Agree with @Folly's place on the hunting behavior... And I also wanted to point out that these two are probably taking a break from their migration with you, and should move on soon. And if they've decided to winter with you, remember that they will be moving on in the spring. Bald Eagles are primarily fish eagles. They will eat other prey, but prefer fish. At some point they will move on.

Also, Eagle tiercels (or males) are always smaller than their female counterpart. That larger bird is a girl.

 

[deepbluesea]

Agree with @Folly's place on the hunting behavior... And I also wanted to point out that these two are probably taking a break from their migration with you, and should move on soon. And if they've decided to winter with you, remember that they will be moving on in the spring. Bald Eagles are primarily fish eagles. They will eat other prey, but prefer fish. At some point they will move on.

Also, Eagle tiercels (or males) are always smaller than their female counterpart. That larger bird is a girl.

'Tiercels'--I love learning new words! Thank you!

 

[Trish1974]

Also, Eagle tiercels (or males) are always smaller than their female counterpart. That larger bird is a girl.

Yes, I believe I said that in my first post.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Yes, I believe I said that in my first post.

Sorry, I read it the other way around.

 

[Mr Pink]

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