Hi, all,
We lost 24 month-old chicks last week to a flock of crows (they hauled off 16 chicks and beheaded and eviscerated the rest. We know it's crows and we are now in the process of covering the entire run and keeping the survivors in the coop until the cover's done. Anyone else had issues with crows and their flock? I've read everything from scarecrows, to plastic owls, to tying CDs from wires at the roof. But wanted to know what anyone else has done?
When I had my last flock (in Oregon, now in NM), NEVER had an issue with anyone but raccoons (grabbing hens thru the fence and eating their heads) and foxes. So this is a new issue for me. My husband is adamant that he's going to get a pistol and take them out, one by one (they roost in the trees at the edge of our 10 acres). We had single crows land on the fencepost of the run this weekend and my first instinct was to CAW really loud and I did...and it bolted. Happened again yesterday and I did the same thing. I figure that single one is the scout for the rest of them. I know they travel in mated pairs...so if we take out one...the other should leave...until we whittle down the flock. Any other ideas in the meantime?
Even though we're covering it the run, I want to protect the flock and even ordered two Saipan Jungle Roo chicks from Ideal in my order this week. Figured there probably isn't any crow alive that will challenge a 3' tall beast of a rooster. lol
Thanks in advance,
Wendy
We lost 24 month-old chicks last week to a flock of crows (they hauled off 16 chicks and beheaded and eviscerated the rest. We know it's crows and we are now in the process of covering the entire run and keeping the survivors in the coop until the cover's done. Anyone else had issues with crows and their flock? I've read everything from scarecrows, to plastic owls, to tying CDs from wires at the roof. But wanted to know what anyone else has done?
When I had my last flock (in Oregon, now in NM), NEVER had an issue with anyone but raccoons (grabbing hens thru the fence and eating their heads) and foxes. So this is a new issue for me. My husband is adamant that he's going to get a pistol and take them out, one by one (they roost in the trees at the edge of our 10 acres). We had single crows land on the fencepost of the run this weekend and my first instinct was to CAW really loud and I did...and it bolted. Happened again yesterday and I did the same thing. I figure that single one is the scout for the rest of them. I know they travel in mated pairs...so if we take out one...the other should leave...until we whittle down the flock. Any other ideas in the meantime?
Even though we're covering it the run, I want to protect the flock and even ordered two Saipan Jungle Roo chicks from Ideal in my order this week. Figured there probably isn't any crow alive that will challenge a 3' tall beast of a rooster. lol
Thanks in advance,
Wendy