Anybody else watching Molly the owl on ustream???

[Margot]

Cool Link. I watched Lilly the wild black bear give birth earlier this year. She now has one cub. The video cam is in her den. She is a wild black bear in MN. http://www.wildearth.tv/static/wildearth/channels/we_bear_den.html

Margot

 

[sune42]

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I was thinking of putting one up for mice, but I thought they would get chickens too. Is that right? I will have the top of my run fenced, but I have a very small backyard.

 

[dacjohns]

Owls, at least the ones big enough to eat chickens, are primarily nocturnal. Their main source of food are animals smaller than a full size chicken. It is conceivable that an owl would eat chicken, escpecially small chickens such as the smaller varieties and chicks but if you are taking proper precautions you lessen the threat to almost zero.

Good coop and covered run--keeps owls out.
Chickens are diurnal, owls are nocturnal--not out (normally) at the same time.
Chickens are usually larger prey than what owls go after.

With all that there are still exceptions. Great horned owls can easily take a full sized chicken. They have been known to eat cats. If you have been watching Molly you might have noticed that she has consumed rabbit. It looked like a small rabbit but a small rabbit is no smaller than a small chicken.

I feel the benefits of owls outweigh the risks.

 

[sune42]

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Thanks dacjohns. I will look into the owl box again. I live by the Ohio River and right next door to a grocery type store. I have had a few mice get in the house, but my chunky cat is a pretty good mouser, who knew? I haven't had any in the house for almost a year now, so they may have gotten the hint, but it wouldn't hurt to have an owl around.


Molly is such a pretty owl, I have never seen one with her colors.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

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They are not scheduled to hatch until the 25-28th. I think that's what I read.

 

[fancbrd4me02]

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Thanks dacjohns. I will look into the owl box again. I live by the Ohio River and right next door to a grocery type store. I have had a few mice get in the house, but my chunky cat is a pretty good mouser, who knew? I haven't had any in the house for almost a year now, so they may have gotten the hint, but it wouldn't hurt to have an owl around.


Molly is such a pretty owl, I have never seen one with her colors.

dacjohns is right! We have 4 owls that use our property & nest here. They are barn owls and have never bothered my chickens. Thier pellets are full of the bones of rats, mice and gophers. I think you will enjoy having your own owl! They sure help keep the rodent's down at our place. There are some good plans for barn owl houses online to help you design and build your own.

 

[farmerlor]

Hah! We've been watching Molly the owl! Isn't she so beautiful? I miss my barn owls so much now. Can't wait for those babies to come and haven't met McGee yet.

 

[rileysgranny]

I've only seen McGee once, this morning. But then again I've only watched it since yesterday. It must be pretty amazing to the kids that are watching. I know it is for me.

 

[teach1rusl]

Anyone halfway following....the pips have begun

 

[GaNewChick]

One has hatched ...