Black Vultures are after my chickens again!

[Peach Mom]

Black Vultures have been terrorizing my chickens for days.Has anyone else had this problem? They are staking out the flock and watching for an opportunity. I have had to keep my chickens in from foraging with them this determined. I used to think they only ate dead animals, not so! My first experience was a few years ago.The flock was alarming like crazy and when I went down to see what was wrong I saw something I'll never forget. A huge vulture was on the pasture fence staring down our large, protective Lamancha goat. He was ready to spring on the vulture and the entire flock was huddled behind him. I chased him off with a lot of screaming and a rake raised above my head. This time they may be more hungry as they are super persistent.This morning I ran one off just outside our run on a low branch. Does anyone have tips for running them off? It is against the law to shoot them.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

They are opportunistic feeders - dead animals are their base fare, yes, but if/when those are in short supply the vultures still have to eat and will turn to hunting - domestic fowl like your flock are among the easier prey. Having a nice run in which you can secure your birds is going to be your best tool to use - confining them for a few days to a week will have the vultures looking elsewhere for a more easily obtained food source. You may have some luck using decoy predators to deter the vultures - whether you opt for mammals or birds of prey....something that makes the "easy" meal look less accessible as there is better equipped competition already on the scene.

 

[BlueBaby]

What else can you do? If you allow them to free-range, then they are easy targets for any predator that is in the area. I would build a secure spacious run for them that no predator will be able to break into. Many people who let their flocks free-range end up loosing them to some type of predator or other.