crows attack

[nightshade]

Today I lost a hatch of 8 peeps to crows. They had just hatched a few hours or less before it all happened. A lucky one had gotten through the fence of the brooder where I keep larger chicks and was saved by it's wondering off from the others. It is really hurt and has peck marks behind both eyes. I really don't think it is going to make I I really hope that it does but I am afarid to get my hopes up.

Has anyoen else had this kind of thing happen with crows?

 

[birdlover]

That is just terrible!!! AWFUL!!!!! I doubt too many people have had that experience because I think most people keep their newly hatched chicks somewhere sheltered. I'm so sorry for your loss and I hope the one chick makes it. Next time, keep them in your house or a garage or something so predators can't reach them. A sad lesson to learn. I know you must feel terrible. Poor things!

Ellen

 

[chickflick]

How horrible! Never heard of crows attacking before. So sorry.

 

[nightshade]

We only have a few free rangers (5 for bug control and I like seeing them around the yard too.) and the peeps just happend to be from one of those. All the rest of our chickens are in an inclosed run. The thing is that we have 9 other peeps that were hatched out to another free range hen 2 weeks ago. The crows didn't get any of those, I really don't know why though

 

[SpottedCrow]

Crows can and will do a flyby for takeout chicks...98% of the time, they eat carrion.
I don't mind having crows in my yard because I know when the hawk's around because they caw their heads off and mob him.
That's a hard lesson to learn though. I hope the survivor peep makes it.
The next hatch that you have from your free rangers, separate the hen and the eggs to keep everyone safe.

 

[nightshade]

UPDATE :

The Little guy is still alive. Yesterday when I found it I cleaned the wounds on his head with warm water and them put happy jack onix ointment on them. I have been feeding him by hand, pretty much force feeding him every few hours a mix of hard boiled egg and powered chick stater. Both it's eyes are shut most of the time but it opens the one when I pick it up or it hears my voice. The fact it made it through the first 24 hrs has really gotten my hopes up. I just hope it keeps getting better slowly.

 

[littlelemon]

I'm glad your chick pulled through the night-what a horrible experience, those poor chicks!

 

[Bubba]

Crows around here prey on chicks from other bird species all the time. Does not sound out of the ordinary for them to pass up a free meal (your chicks were easy pickings), they eat just about everything. Sorry you had to find out that way, hope your single baby makes it. Were they crows or ravens btw? Sorry for your loss.

Bubba

 

[applewoodacres]

I have 2 month old chickens and the crows have been killing them left and right. Today I actually saw it and was able to scare the crow away and he dropped the chicken. The chicken has a peck mark behind its eye. I thought for sure he was a gonner. He is actually sitting up now and trying to sleep. How should I go about nursing him back to health? Anyone have any good ideas to keeo the crows away?

 

[7L Farm]

I have 2 month old chickens and the crows have been killing them left and right. Today I actually saw it and was able to scare the crow away and he dropped the chicken. The chicken has a peck mark behind its eye. I thought for sure he was a gonner. He is actually sitting up now and trying to sleep. How should I go about nursing him back to health? Anyone have any good ideas to keeo the crows away?

I would shoot them but don't know where you live. Before every tree hugger freaks out its legal where I live to shoot crows.