Great-horned Owl Fun in 2019

[centrarchid]

Currently I have 2 quarantine areas separated by about 75 yards from each other and by at least 100 yards from where rest of chickens are kept. Both are in yard proper with one in front house housing a broody hen with chicks while the other houses a rooster and hen in lay plus two juvenile chickens (juveniles only during work day). Until last night the rooster and hen roosted on pole in pen. Last night they made no effort to roost on pole, rather both went straight nest box. Night before last I bet owl came in and harassed them. Dogs, especially the young female, was very concerned about what was going on in that quarantine area. The hen and rooster must not roost in nest box while clutch is being made. We will begin making so chickens cannot see owl messing around for starters. Pen in question is under grape arbor behind daughter and dog. Owl appears to be sitting on top of pen when it comes in and possibly messing around on the ground. It regularly lands on power pole in left of image.

 

[centrarchid]

Season may now be starting for real. While dealing with raccoon issue I saw owl to east of house in tree they often use in the morning. It was clearly watching my games milling about on east side of house. I ran about 50 feet at it and the bird flew off.

As I was putting up the same group of birds just before dark, the owl landed in a tree not more than 200 feet to southwest where it was checking out me and birds settling in to roost. Group with chicks neat house where penned immediately. I called the tamer birds down from trees and led them to pen. Less tame birds were flushed from trees then called to pens.

It took a bit for my son to see owl but when he did the bird flew and my female shepherd took after it barking like a pro.

Tomorrow deer netting will be used to close up bard to make owl tight.

 

[centrarchid]

It has started again after a major break. One hen confirmed lost in barn last night. It was not known at first to be an owl. Previous night another hen was knocked off roost where she then managed to drown in trough.

Hen lost in barn had head and neck removed and no evidence of slobber, but was found in tight spot. GHO's will go into a tight spot if carcass visible which why baiting live-traps with chicken carcass bags owl once in a while. Game camera was trained on carcass before dark, knocked face down before owl came into view.

I had to police 30 birds and pen them. Some stags / cockerels will be penned earlier than planned. The games where a little heavy anyway.

Owl attempted to climb gate with carcass to get out of barn. Chickens were making all sorts of racket as desired because they could see owl. Chickens were also holding their tails like they do for owls. Almost all where still on roost. A couple bailed to hide in feed barrels.

It looks like owl even tried to pull carcass through gate itself by reaching through. Dogs treed something totally in different direction so useless on that visit.

No sign to indicate this to be a juvenile owl as not calls. This not hooting much either.

Soon process will begin to tighten barn against owls and raccoons that really like to look for openings high up.

 

[centrarchid]

Now we are having fun. An American Dominique hen is really complaining about being penned so she had to be placed under an overturned crate. Owl did come in, but not to carcass.

Dogs, especially my German Pointer, got into a major battle with a raccoon south of house. It got into a long nearly 2' diameter PVC pipe where it could fight back. Based on looks of area Lucy and the male English Shepherd battled it pretty good before it go into the pipe. Lucy got dinged up and was very much over heated. I had to pull her back. She was dizzy from being too hot. After cool down she keeps wanting to go back. A couple traps will be relocated tomorrow.

Yesterday a fox came in while dogs where sleeping causing some loss chickens free-ranging around house. We got two chickens back, both dead now. One was retrieved from cache by male dog late last night. It was buried. Smaller chicken taken was not retrieved. Dogs are putting all their effort into night reducing ability to function following day.

 

[centrarchid]

Owl is in barn at least once each night. It cannot get to any chickens, yet it keeps trying. It appears to be expending all effort on getting to one hen in a pretty good pen. What may set her apart is apparent small size. Her pen is also centrally located in the barn. A better cover will need to be installed to break line of site.

 

[centrarchid]

An owl is working apple orchard that contains penned chickens. The area also doubles as a quarantine for birds that go on trips. Dogs have run the owl off repeatedly over the last couple of nights and it keeps coming back. Visits start shortly after dark and end about now. It is walking around on pens. No obvious rodent sign but lots of rabbits are present there like everywhere else in yard.

 

[Don 27]

Wow this s cool . You are good at explaining and observing these owls . Man they seem such a burden . All the birds you have to lock up because of owls

I recently lost a bird to a hawk attack I dealt with that quickly. and after that the rest of the flock will not be in the open for vary long . They run from tree to tree. And spend most of the day in the woods.

 

[centrarchid]

Owl actually managed to de-head a stag in a new pen I got a couple of months ago. I have not lost a chicken like that for a long time, especially with pens that are outside. Pen will be modified to stop that crap. Openings are just a little wider than 2" x 4". Kill was made last night during our very nasty weather event. Dogs off mission wanting to hang near pups much of the night. Owl came in between dark and time required to put fresh batteries in game camera. Living stag nearby was clearly stressed so I pulled him and placed him in garage.

This owl has been working pen area very hard. Most of the time the dogs run it off but it comes back after just a few minutes. I can see the bugger in top of dead tree about 100 yards to east.

 

[Don 27]

 

[centrarchid]

Yes, owl keeps coming back. Male dog now running it off where owl then sits on tops of trees in plain sight. Might have a cool video clip of owl trying to pull carcass and pen with its foot.