Beware of new predator

[llombardo]

Yes, I have heard of a gang attack by crows on a single hen, IIRC, the hen was killed. It's not common for them to attack full grown birds, but they will pick off chicks. And I had 3 nests of robins fledge last summer. Every single one was picked off by crows within 50' of the nest. They sat vigil when they knew the babies were ready to fledge.

I did battle with a red tail haek trying to eat baby robins in a low bush five feet from the door. That hawk didn't back down. The mom kept flying and trying to attack the hawk. I put an umbrella over the bush, the gawk moved it then I finally got the umbrella where it couldn't move it.

 

[llombardo]

Very odd indeed.

I have not had one attacked by crows BUT I have seen the nesting crows bringing in young cottontail and squirrels.



I am very sorry you lost your gal.

Ovef the winter I was amazed to see several large crows eating bird and squirrel food with the birds(5 cardinals and others) plus 3 squirrels. I just sat there staring because I never witnessed anything like that.

 

[PouleChick]

Maggots were also used by the old timers for wound debridement.

Absolutely - it was one of the only tools they had back in the day pre antibiotics etc. They are actually still used in some hospitals for wounds that don't respond to any other medical treatments with great success, they are far less harsh and more effective than surgical debridement as they dont' touch / damage any of the healthy tissue and get rid of all of the dead stuff! I imagine as antibiotics become less and less effective we will see more and more natural options.

 

[RWise]

To get rid of those crows, if you have a gun, and live where you can use it, just pop off a couple of rounds at them (can even be blanks). You dont need to harm them, just tell them they are not welcome here. They will go byby fast, they will tell others who tell others etc etc.... they will know who you are for at least 50 miles, (even if you change your appearance) call warnings and fly away. Crows are very smart.
Fire crackers may work as well,,, tis almost the season to buy extras for the year,,, of course these are banned in many cities,,,