Egg Stealing Crow

[centrarchid]

Just a bit ago I spotted an American Crow come in an alight in a tree over pens that have what will soon be breeding pairs of chickens. Pullets are already in lay but it is not time to allow clutches to be set. Crow was targeting a pen I had just walked by where an egg was laying about 2 feet outside of pen. Crow kept trying fly down the 20 feet or so and both pullet and stag in pen tried to go after crow through pen. Crow would then fly back up into tree. After about 5 minutes crow worked up nerve to take egg. If the chickens were free-range crow would have been denied the egg.

 

[pineapple416]

I would want to shoot it personally. Not sure what to do about this issue.

 

[centrarchid]

A nest will be installed in a week when egg of value are collected. Until then it is interesting to watch what is going on. I have seen the free-range hens run off song birds in a similar manner.

 

[red horse ranch]

Crows are smart birds. They know where a good meal can be found!

I find it interesting to watch nature in action like that. In the summer my guineas free range and will lay their eggs anywhere they choose, usually hiding them under a bush out in the pasture. The ravens and crows have learned to follow them around all morning and wait for the guinea hens to lay their eggs. Then as soon as the hen lays her egg they will run in and grab the egg. It's funny to watch because the guineas get so upset. But it's also frustrating because I want those eggs too!

 

[centrarchid]

Crows are smart birds. They know where a good meal can be found!

I find it interesting to watch nature in action like that. In the summer my guineas free range and will lay their eggs anywhere they choose, usually hiding them under a bush out in the pasture. The ravens and crows have learned to follow them around all morning and wait for the guinea hens to lay their eggs. Then as soon as the hen lays her egg they will run in and grab the egg. It's funny to watch because the guineas get so upset. But it's also frustrating because I want those eggs too!

Similar relationship likely blocked by game hens staying with 50 yards of their nest once egg deposition begins. When a bird comes in they run it off. Roosters do same when hen does but does not seem as anchored to nest site even though he had a role in selecting it.