Crows are my New best Friends.

[LadyRed76]

I have been having a bit of trouble with an Owl and A Red Shouldered Hawk.
I read Plenty on the internet and from BYC about how to keep them away.
I have the Owls schedule down,so its not too much of a problem now,but the Hawk is a different story. Until two days ago.

I heard a huge ruckus outside the other morning. I took a look out to see Crows dive booming A Hawk!
They chased the Hawk from the yard. I read Crows hate Hawks and Owls. So I did my research.
I read what each Crow call means.
This morning I tested my theory.
I used YouTube for the crow call that's called "rally cry"
Then I played the "predator cry"
They ALL came to investigate!
Little did I know But a Hawk was in the tree top a few yards from my chickens.
The Crows,around twelve, chased the Hawk away.
So Moral of story: I'm learning how to Crow call. So when I need an "Eye in the Sky" I can call the crows.
I know crows can eat baby chicks,but I keep mine in a brooder,so No worries there.
I love my new friends the Crows!

 

[lazy gardener]

Agreed. I love the crows. They make some pretty interesting noises. I especially like the one that sounds like a melodic gargle! I'm tempted to start putting cracked corn out for them next season!

 

[LadyRed76]

Agreed. I love the crows. They make some pretty interesting noises. I especially like the one that sounds like a melodic gargle! I'm tempted to start putting cracked corn out for them next season!

Oh I'm going to start feeding the crows.
I hear they LOVE peanuts.
They are keeping the Hawks away.
Can't be more gracious to the Crows.

 

[igorsMistress]

This is so cool!
It never occurred to me to try something like this, but we mostly get redtails, not much threat to a standard chicken when grown.

 

[Sara Ranch]

Now if we could train them to chase the black buzzards away, I would be so happy!

Congrats on your crow friends!

 

[LadyRed76]

This is so cool!
It never occurred to me to try something like this, but we mostly get redtails, not much threat to a standard chicken when grown.

Red Tails can carry off a Road Island Red.
I've seen it. Didn't go far before it landed an then took off again.
But yes indeed Crows Do Not like Birds of Prey.

 

[LadyRed76]

Now if we could train them to chase the black buzzards away, I would be so happy!

Congrats on your crow friends!

Hahaaaa!!
Right. Dang buzzards get Roo going everyday. Lol

 

[Jacquie Button]

I think there is a actual crow call you can buy, you know like a duck call they use for hunting.

 

[andreanar]

I used to hate crows. They came in huge groups and would empty my bird feeders so fast, they chased all my pretty birds away. Then one day, I decided to look up some facts on them and learned they are really interesting. Very smart. AND they chase away hawks! Now I love seeing them hang out.

 

[MillersFarm]

We've got a hawk pair that nests about an acre away from our chicken coop. Never had more then one problem with them. We'll see some crows chase the red tailed hawks but it's mainly our barn swallows that chases them away. I love watch them group together and chase the hawks away. Nasty lil' critters!