Great-horned Owl Fun in 2015

They hold point on some types of wildlife but I have done nothing to develop such for hunting. My only current hunting interest involve rabbits and squirrels where dogs hold point in sitting rabbit and bark tree on squirrels. We do not have a viable quail or grouse population and turkeys (not suitable for dogs) operate in valley a good mile down hill from us.

Point holding most notable on how they deal with skunks but such does not help with most wildlife issues.
 
Now that tree are loosing their leaves and I have a good spotlight I can see more than my chickens every night. Pens located in four locations plus barn can be seen into from single location in front of house I can rapidly walk to by just going a few step outside front door. Directing beam into the trees and powerline makes so I can see my GHO;s with almost the same regularity. I appear to still have two adults and three juveniles making so see at least two is no big. There is almost always a GHO on my ground even though they are not going after chickens, It it the voles and rabbits with latter sometimes moving in groups of three that are the attraction.
 
Something has changed with Great-horned owls. Juveniles have not been heard for nearly a week and adults are now calling in yard during the middle of the night. If like in previous years that means adults gave 2015 chicks the boot so they can start on 2016 brood. Eggs of those will likely be in nest possibly as little as 45 days. By then owls, adults at least, will loose interest in chickens because they cannot pack them back to the nest
 
Fun is not yet over. An owl is working pens in a big way. Last night owl found smallest juvenile game pullet in pen in backyard and tried to get it. Dog(s) jumped incompletely the electrified poultry netting and ran owl off preventing loss. Action apparently had to be repeated based on activity of dogs. Already tonight the owl was working pens and caused a game hen to ring her own bell. I went out and policed her up hoping she will pull through. So far I have placed additional covers on pens containing more vulnerable birds. Entire time an owl was high up in an oak tree watching me. Weather has been much cooler the last couple of nights. I do not know if visible owl is adult or young of year. Regardless, pens will be tightening up. Fence round pens in back yard has been left down so dogs have a more direct run. Dogs to not seem to like jumping when seeing poor like tonight.
 
Just minutes ago owl back for at least third time so far tonight. It was on ground walking around pen that had hen with rung bell. Dogs are not going in until chickens make a ruckus.


It appears to be trying to flush chickens to perimeter of cages where it can grab them. Blocking line of sight seems to be all that is needed to thwart that tactic.
 
A lot is going on. Today all pens will be moved to winter quarters. Winter quarters is more centralized aiding dogs efforts that are currently dispersed over four locations. Pens will be packed tighter making to predators, including owls, will not be able walk all the way around a pen and still be able to see chicken inside. Also makes so windbreaks and covers are easier to manage. Challenge is I have to move 10 pens from one group alone over 150 yards. It is snowing with accumulation yet ground is soft and wet.
 
Owl, at least one of them, got into barn early this morning and went after game pullets in elevated coop. I was lucky the owl did not find that all the American Dominiques were exposed. My assumption owl would delay visits into barn until it was complete have proven incorrect. My daytime responsibilities to 2 year old daughter mean I will have to make adjustments tonight with not enough light. I very much want to keep owls out without obstructing my view from house. I also do not want the owl to use barn as day roost which I think it may be doing. Managing for all the wildlife and rabbits is biting me in the backside when it comes to protecting chickens from owls. I may also have to name owls and show pictures of them like I do the chickens.:idunno
 

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