Blue Jays Can be Predatory

[FogTownChix]

I had NO idea that Blue Jays could be so vicious, but I sure learned the hard way earlier today. I had my two week old chicks out in a small pen in the front yard and was gone literally less than one minute when a blue attacked. She had one of my RIRs by the neck and punctured her jugular vein. I swear that blue would have flow off with her if it was strong enough to pick her up.

I rushed the chick to our vet and it looks like she will make it with a lot of TLC (and a vet bill that I am afraid to as about...). Our vet is an aviary specialist and she said that while Jays are always particularly mean, they can be really predatory this time of year.

So, if you've got little ones out there, keep an eye peeled for Blue Jays and Scrub Jays.


<===========This is Millie just last week.

 

[Desert Rooster]

Hope she gets better

 

[GarlicEater]

They're corvids, basically nasty little blue crows.

There's a REASON up until a generation or so ago kids got shiny new BB guns and were encouraged to practice with 'em.

The nasty buggers also like to wreck our fruit in the garden.

 

[MonkeyZero]

I hope she gets better

Yeah, Blue jays are major *******
They are evil! I was feeding some wild doves and one came and made them fly away.
And I had a friend tell me that a blue jay killed one of his baby birds. ANd I had another friend say that one killed one of her chicks.
They hate water I guess. I run out with a Nerf gun when I see one and they fly away when the water is blasting at them

 

[sweeterdeeter42]

bluejays have been known to rip the head off of birds sitting on a bird feeder next to them. They are mean little bass turds.

Cant believe it tried to take out you chick though!

ETA: I would invest in a bb gun as well!

 

[BrattishTaz]

I read years ago that blue jays need a lot of protein during mating/brooding season. They are known to raid the nests of other wild birds in search of chicks and eggs. I like having them around because they help the crows and mocking birds chase the hawks away. Crows will eat chicks and eggs too.

I hope your chick recovers quickly.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

I had my two week old chicks out in a small pen in the front yard and was gone literally less than one minute when a blue attacked.

Blue jays, crows, hawks, owls, herons, egrets, many other species of birds, cats, dogs, foxes, and on, and on, if you're going to take young chicks out side then either keep them in a covered pen or don't leave them alone. There's a real, natural world out there where every living thing is doing what they can to survive. Such as hunting.

 

[andalusn]

When my broody Cuckoo Maran hatched her 16 peeps in November she took them everywhere around the yard daily. While I was out doing chores I saw her and the peeps working a garden spot about 60 feet away.. all of the sudden I see this blue bird fly down and POW! That momma hen was air born feet first and that bird could not get away fast enough. I was amazed at how protective she was and how good her aim was too. All chicks made it to maturity and the final 4 are heading to a swap this weekend

 

[Godsgrl]

The other day, I was out at the zoo, and couldn't find the meerkats in their exhibit. I called the staff, and it turns out the meerkats were scared, and hiding in their tunnels. A blue jay was hiding in the trees near the exhibit, and mimicking the cry of a hawk.

 

[carolinagirl58]

I knew owls at night might be a problem but it never occured to me that Jays could be! thanks for posting this. I am getting ready to move my chicks outside and the pen is nearly ready, but I did not cover the top. I's 6' tall chain link with smaller wire in the inside, and it never occured to me that the top needed protection even during the day. I'll be sure to do that prior to letting them in the new pen.