bald eagle. legal options?

[AmyLM]

You can also use old C.Ds hanging by a thread, and placed in the area were the chickens is roaming.

If i had 8 birds in a backyard maybe.... but i have 160 spread out over 5 + acres (10 acre property) and we do pasture rotation. Somehow i think 1000s of cds would make the neighbors think were nuts (ok... more nuts...lol).

 

[toynutz]

Sorry for your loss. We have hawks and eagles around here and the only thing that seems to scare them away are the huge ravens and crows that hang around. But it's only temporary, they always return... there's really no way to get rid of them, they leave when their food supply is gone. Migration is still going on, hopefully it'll pack up and head north real soon.

 

[enola]

A rooster is not going to be a deterrent to a bald eagle. Your only recourse is to keep your hens in/under shelter until he moves on.

Virtually anything you do to deter the eagle, bottle rockets, firing guns is considered harassment by the DNR, and is illegal.

 

[chicknshrimp]

I have two livestock guardian dogs and they're fantastic. They see everything and they'll run into action when even a crow flies too low. They're well worth the time and investment, and they're fluffy and adorable Good luck!

 

[animals1981]

a lot oof bald eagles have transmitters and web cams on their nests people follow them close careful around them

 

[animals1981]

yeah a lot of bald eagles are scared of dogs or a donkey maybe


they are not serious aggressive hunters they want the easy pickings unlike golden eagles which will attack a deer or coyote the bald eagles want something easy to kill

ravens can control eagles if you can get them around same with crows they always give away the eagles intentions and make life hell for them


other than that tho I don't think a bald eagle is afraid of any bird a rooster would be easy pickings, same with a turkey or goose.

 

[WthrLady]

We currently have 7 bald eagles. No free ranging until they move on.

 

[AmyLM]

I have two livestock guardian dogs and they're fantastic.  They see everything and they'll run into action when even a crow flies too low.  They're well worth the time and investment, and they're fluffy and adorable  Good luck!

Unfortunately this one isn't afraid of dogs AT ALL. he took the chicken within feet of my two dogs who were barking like mad in the other side if the fence. He just sat there eating my chicken and ignoring the dogs. Either hes figured out they are on the other side of the fence and can't get to him ir he just doesn't care. Ive never seen a bird of prey so brazen. He literally doesn't fly away when hes sitting on the branch of our cotton wood tree. Even when we stand right under him. I cant help but wonder if he one of those "rescue/rehab/release" birds that now associates people with food. Hes showing no sign of migrating either. Hes been here for weeks snacking on mt birds. This was just the first time we saw it in person AND caught it on security camera.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

They're smart enough to know the dog can't get through the fence.

 

[centrarchid]

Unfortunately this one isn't afraid of dogs AT ALL. he took the chicken within feet of my two dogs who were barking like mad in the other side if the fence. He just sat there eating my chicken and ignoring the dogs. Either hes figured out they are on the other side of the fence and can't get to him ir he just doesn't care. Ive never seen a bird of prey so brazen. He literally doesn't fly away when hes sitting on the branch of our cotton wood tree. Even when we stand right under him. I cant help but wonder if he one of those "rescue/rehab/release" birds that now associates people with food. Hes showing no sign of migrating either. Hes been here for weeks snacking on mt birds. This was just the first time we saw it in person AND caught it on security camera.

It is time to get real. You will not be given a permit to protect a small flock (160 is small) from an eagle. Even a larger flock will likely not warrant sanctioned protection you might be considering. Dogs can work if they can get to where dog does its business on chickens. If you are serious, then work on getting dogs chicken safe and with chickens so proper protection can be provided. My setup is very similar to yours although my dogs have access to chickens. I also have Bald Eagles fly over daily and dogs will run them off if they were to land here. The eagles do not land mostly because area is too grassy / weedy making so their big and slow take-offs make them vulnerable to ground predators. The eagles are too slow and lack maneuverability needed to hunt chickens having access to cover.