Bald Eagles?

[Laura78]

Anyone know if a Bald Eagle will attack a chicken? We have lots of them around here and I know by federal law we can't hurt them, so my next option is to deture them if they're a possible threat. I'm really hoping that chickens aren't on their menu cause I love seeing them. We do have a river about 1/4 mile (if that) and that's why I think we have so many of them near us.

 

[Chicken03]

A bald eagle definitly would attack a chicken. Sorry to say because they are fun to watch. An eagle will attack just about anything a hawk will.

 

[Laura78]

That's what I thought, but I was still hoping to hear otherwise. Hopefully they'll just go after the salmon and leave my birds alone.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Hang up some flash tape or old CD's to confuse the eagles. They will be less likely to bother your birds if you have places for them to hide easily

 

[Miltonchix]

They prefer fish but will take a bird too. When I lived on Whidbey Island years ago I used to love watching them hunt. Watched one take a seagull on a lake one day while I was fishing.

 

[selinagil]

Holy Moly------I think I'd be so glad just to see a Live, Free Bald Eagle that I wouldn't even be able to comprehend....predator---hide the chicks!!! I'd just be in awe!

 

[farmgirlie1031]

We have lots of them around here during the winter. They will take a bird but knock on wood they have never taken one of mine. I saw them all the time in the field just on the other side of the fence taking rabbits and at the river 1/4 mile away taking fish and ducks. I worried they would take one of mine when they were out free-ranging but they didn't. I think maybe they didn't like it that I also had big dogs and horses around.

 

[Imp]

Laura78,
As stated before eagles will take chickens, cats, and small dogs. a couple years ago I had one sit in a neighbors tree facing my yard. It didn't come down though and after about 10 minutes, the crows drove it off. For years I though I had a hawk flying over the house during hot summer days, but now think it was this eagle just immature. Has never taken a chicken, and I free range daily all day unsupervised. I'm thinking that I have lots of cover for the chickens-deck, coop, large trees, shrubs etc. Good Luck and be vigilant.
So I guess a suggestion would be to provide cover. And
Hatch some crows (kidding about the crows)

Imp- And we both know there are NO hot summer days in western Washington.

 

[what was i thinking]

we just had this conversation last night. we have bald eagles go over here. i said, i wouldn't be sad if i got to witness a eagle take one of my chickens because it would be a wonderful amazing event. don't get me wrong, afterwards i would be sadden for the loss. but the event would be amazing.

 

[Laura78]

Quote:
They are beautiful. I see about 7 of them, one is a family of mom, dad, and 2 older chicks, just about everyday that I drive to town. And that's just what's living near the hwy.