Crows! I never suspected the egg bandits!

[Elfer]

If your chicken house, and surrounding yard has eggs strewed all over, including fake ones, with some left whole, and some missing or broken, crows may be your villian.

I was thinking that it's time for the blacksnakes to start robbing, but they wouldn't do this. Nor the coons, possums, skunks, foxes. I was even starting to wonder if I should blame the chipmunks. How could this be happening in the daytime, even if I'm at home, and in and out, with no terror from the chickens?

Today, I heard a brief but little more than the "someone laid a golden egg" fuss. I rushed out in time to spot Mr. Crow flying off with an egg in his mouth. A few crows have recently started hanging around in the oaks, looking all innocent. Fortunately, it is legal to let them know with my 410 that that they are no longer welcome.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

If your chicken house, and surrounding yard has eggs strewed all over, including fake ones, with some left whole, and some missing or broken, crows may be your villian.

I was thinking that it's time for the blacksnakes to start robbing, but they wouldn't do this. Nor the coons, possums, skunks, foxes. I was even starting to wonder if I should blame the chipmunks. How could this be happening in the daytime, even if I'm at home, and in and out, with no terror from the chickens?

Today, I heard a brief but little more than the "someone laid a golden egg" fuss. I rushed out in time to spot Mr. Crow flying off with an egg in his mouth. A few crows have recently started hanging around in the oaks, looking all innocent. Fortunately, it is legal to let them know with my 410 that that they are no longer welcome.

It's a common problem... hang some CD's or something. Some have said that worked well when they had the issue and didn't bother their hens at all. They will also steal chicks!

 

[Chickens4Life101]

We just make sure that nothing has access into our nesting boxes. We keep the lid latched so nothing can steal the eggs

 

[RWise]

A few shots from that 410 will take care of it, even if no hits are made. Crows are very smart, they will tell others who tell others, etc.. They will recognize you for many miles away,,,,

 

[Elfer]

Thanks. I have some old CDS. I had been leaving the human door open when I'm here, to encourage using the nesting boxes instead of under the lawnmower. Closing that and scaring them will probably do it. Need to unfriend them in case I get around to the veggie garden, anyway. I was relieved that it wasn't other critters.

 

[Elfer]

Well, that was pretty easy, if it doesn't return with more. Sitting inside with my door open let me hear it's announcement, from where it perched on top of the chicken house, disappointed that I had closed the big door. It flew into the oaks. I shot twice and it flew off. The end, I hope.

 

[aligarysmom]

My mother was surprised to have a large crow trying to take off with a new juvenile. The neighbor came over and said that crow was trying to pick up they chicken. She was eight weeks old at the time. I was surprised. She did say it was a large crow. He is now waiting and seeing if the one lone girl whom likes to walk alone gets close enough to try and take her.

 

[Henrybelle]

I just had my little light Brahma picked off in my flock of eight now seven I was thinking hawk but my son saw a black bird take off as came into the backyard she was 5-6 weeks old smallest in the group nd the slowest