So this is a bit of an odd question, but I was watching an adult female Northern Harrier hunting in the field behind the house (without much success) this weekend, and got to wondering after a Google search on the Northern Harrier's hunting habits, what bird of prey species do you find most troublesome to you?
Obviously answers will vary regionally, but I think it would be an interesting learning topic. I know where I am located there are many species of BOP native to the area. Additionally we are along migration routes, so host many more that are heading to and from their breeding grounds and home ranges. Speaking of which there is a currently massive flock of snow geese that have been feeding in the pastures behind the house. It's quite cool hearing them talking at all hours of the day and night. They've been there over a week.
Anyway, I've seen Red-tailed Hawks, as well as American Kestrels, the Northern Harrier, Black Vultures, Barn and Barred Owls. I know American Kestrels are not going to pose a threat to adult English Orpingtons. And Black Vultures are scavengers. The birds will be locked in a secure house at night so owls hunting at night shouldn't be a problem, but how often do people lose owls to daytime hunting? Google claims that Northern Harriers don't pose much of a threat to chickens. They occasionally take ducks in the wild (and rabbits) but generally have to drown the animal in order to successfully kill it. I know Red-tails are large and common and well able to take a chicken of any size.
I'm still planning on covering the run with poultry/deer netting just for my own piece of mind, but in the late evenings when they are allowed to free-range, I'm just curious what sort of BOP I need to be on the lookout for.
Obviously answers will vary regionally, but I think it would be an interesting learning topic. I know where I am located there are many species of BOP native to the area. Additionally we are along migration routes, so host many more that are heading to and from their breeding grounds and home ranges. Speaking of which there is a currently massive flock of snow geese that have been feeding in the pastures behind the house. It's quite cool hearing them talking at all hours of the day and night. They've been there over a week.
Anyway, I've seen Red-tailed Hawks, as well as American Kestrels, the Northern Harrier, Black Vultures, Barn and Barred Owls. I know American Kestrels are not going to pose a threat to adult English Orpingtons. And Black Vultures are scavengers. The birds will be locked in a secure house at night so owls hunting at night shouldn't be a problem, but how often do people lose owls to daytime hunting? Google claims that Northern Harriers don't pose much of a threat to chickens. They occasionally take ducks in the wild (and rabbits) but generally have to drown the animal in order to successfully kill it. I know Red-tails are large and common and well able to take a chicken of any size.
I'm still planning on covering the run with poultry/deer netting just for my own piece of mind, but in the late evenings when they are allowed to free-range, I'm just curious what sort of BOP I need to be on the lookout for.
Female Northern Harriers have caused the most flock deaths to date around here. Several failed attempts, too, in my presence. It's incredible how brazen they are, and nearly impossible to scare off. Preferred targets appear to be adolescent bantam chooks, though Hamburgs will do if nothing smaller is available. I'm finally getting to place where spotting them during birding trips doesn't sicken me. Other nuisance raptors include Red-Tailed and Sharp-shinned Hawks. Pretty sure I've also lost a few to owls at dusk, but these remain elusive (aside from abundance of pellets anouncing their presence) and unidentifiable. Possible Great Horned and Barred? 
