Befriending Crows

Date sort Score sort
CorvusFarm

CorvusFarm

Songster
Nov 26, 2017
106
152
126
Corralitos, California
As you might suspect from my farm's name, I have an affinity for the Corvid family of birds. In moving to a larger acreage for the farm and preparing for a 50-hen flock, I've spent time predator-proofing the coop and run.

Basics: The coop is a large shed converted to a coop. And it sits inside a 2400-square-foot run. The run is surrounded by deer fencing up to 10'. I have a mesh wire skirt that runs out to 3 feet on the outside of the run. So digging and climbing predators are largely dealt with.

Predators: coyote (a lot of coyotes), fox, bobcats, raccoons (haven't seen any here yet), skunks, possums, rats (farm rats killed my landlord's geese several years ago), various hawk species, and now a pair of eagles.

I'm feeling like I've got a good set up to control ground predators. Raptors, though, do pose a concern. The hens are pastured, but spend the majority of their time in the run. I've not had an issue of yet, but I'm wanting to be prepared. I was reading recently about ravens and crows being used to deter birds of prey. It's not that they are protecting chickens. It's just that they naturally chase and harass raptors.

Does anyone have any experience with feeding crows for this purpose?
 
I have heard the same thing and since I always have an excess of eggs I toss them to the critters . The crows come to eat and they are in the habit of coming every day looking for their treat. I have lived here 11 yrs and seen my first hawk land in the yard just today. Dont mean there hasnt been others and I dont free range but it is the first I have seen.
 
CorvusFarm said:
As you might suspect from my farm's name, I have an affinity for the Corvid family of birds. In moving to a larger acreage for the farm and preparing for a 50-hen flock, I've spent time predator-proofing the coop and run.

Basics: The coop is a large shed converted to a coop. And it sits inside a 2400-square-foot run. The run is surrounded by deer fencing up to 10'. I have a mesh wire skirt that runs out to 3 feet on the outside of the run. So digging and climbing predators are largely dealt with.

Predators: coyote (a lot of coyotes), fox, bobcats, raccoons (haven't seen any here yet), skunks, possums, rats (farm rats killed my landlord's geese several years ago), various hawk species, and now a pair of eagles.

I'm feeling like I've got a good set up to control ground predators. Raptors, though, do pose a concern. The hens are pastured, but spend the majority of their time in the run. I've not had an issue of yet, but I'm wanting to be prepared. I was reading recently about ravens and crows being used to deter birds of prey. It's not that they are protecting chickens. It's just that they naturally chase and harass raptors.

Does anyone have any experience with feeding crows for this purpose?
Click to expand...
For the 4 legged predators a pair of donkey might be a good option to consider. You just have to be sure of their temperment around dogs if you have any, as some are known to kill those as well.

Yes when the mockingbirds start nesting again I never have hawk attacks so can't wait for them to move back in. My birds are very flighty and have been able to avoid the 9 species of hawk/falcon/kites that overwinter here. I'm amazed at how often they try.

We have also attracted green jays so far with bird feeders, and have a few mockingbird visitors so far but no nesters yet. I am hoping the chicken scratch bird feeders provide more targets since we have 100's of small birds who are using it.
 
Last edited:
While livestock guardians are an option in my farm lease, that is down the road. Given the measures I listed in the original post, I really feel like my ground predators are taken care of. I am specifically looking for any information about crows/ravens to help keep the hawks at bay. I've been here since October and not had any issues with the owls on property or the hawks the circle. I am working to keep it that way.
 
penny1960 said:
I am going to tag friend that is down maybe a bit closer @ronott1 may know more of what your trying to prepare for I know I have bought a net that is huge I bought it off Amazon as my run is not protected on top
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0748HGZD3/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link to the net. The run is getting some obstacles and hiding spots for the hens, who do a good job keeping an eye skyward and getting to safety when hawks circle. However, they do get to pasture on the entire 8 acres, which is what lead me to looking for some other creative options.
 
I ended up feeding the local crows one summer on accident with eggs I set out to collect and got distracted...they'd swoop in and take them. Then the raven family moved in and out went the crows. I repeated the same mistake and through a window I watched them come one at a time and take a whole egg, fly off and eat it while the other repeated the process. Now I just leave out old eggs away from the coop, not sure its the best thing to do but I get a kick out of it. How often in life do you get a pair of ravens around your house? Since they have been around though, I notice a large reduction in small critter traffic around my coops such as mice and chipmunks. So maybe it is working. There is actually an article on here with a how-to section on making a crow feeding platform. I forget the author but is mildly interesting for such affairs.
 
Chickassan said:
I do feed the crows so they'll nest in close proximity, they're wonderful raptor harassers especially if they have chicks to defend. The only thing I don't like is they steal things.:)
Click to expand...
Think crows steal things, get some ravens in. They took a dozen eggs one day right off my work table next to my house before I could even get out the door. Was pretty epic to watch though. The noise though during nesting season...gosh it's obnoxious and never-ending. lol
 

Similar threads

R
    • Love
    • Like
Are you mentally prepared for this?
2
Replies
14
Views
3K
SourRoses
SourRoses
StarCreekFarm
Predator identification
2
Replies
17
Views
3K
StarCreekFarm
StarCreekFarm
C
    • Sad
First loss to Sky Raptor
Replies
6
Views
480
KyCoop
KyCoop
R
    • Like
Will a dog protect chickens?
2
Replies
11
Views
3K
Nym
Nym
SuperC
    • Like
Do I have to close the Pop Door?
2
Replies
12
Views
3K
Henora
Henora

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom