Great-horned Owl Fun in 2019

[centrarchid]

Owl came in to be recorded by camera no less than five times. Dogs ran owl off each time where dog when be in same location less than 60 seconds after last image of owl. Dogs holding tails up like they are being aggressive. Chickens near owl activity I think loosing sleep and dogs need to be patrolling further afield, especially back around barn which they are currently checking only about 2 times per night based on cameras. We have 6 acres where chickens are housed yet dogs investing almost all their effort on two of those acres against a foe that keeps coming back.

 

[centrarchid]

As I warmed truck up for work, a pullet came out from under front porch. That does annoy when owl can be seen clearly as a silhouette in front of sunrise. I can see and hear my pest very well. Dogs will soon be going to sleep which may give owl window to target pullet.

 

[Don 27]

Not good

Well I'm been having simular problems with a hawk. The hawk flies over about every 3hours. Looking to see if the birds will come out from any cover .One time the hawk landed in a tree near by and I didn't even see it. all the birds ran under cover. And all of a sudden he dive bombed towards them . Thankfully they were to fast for him. Must be migrating time for re hawks because they keep coming out from nowhere.

 

[centrarchid]

Not good

Well I'm been having simular problems with a hawk. The hawk flies over about every 3hours. Looking to see if the birds will come out from any cover .One time the hawk landed in a tree near by and I didn't even see it. all the birds ran under cover. And all of a sudden he dive bombed towards them . Thankfully they were to fast for him. Must be migrating time for re hawks because they keep coming out from nowhere.

Hawks have not been a problem here, too many adult roosters and exceptional cover. Owl is a resident that is shifting hunting area for a few days to weeks before concentrating on another.

 

[centrarchid]

This pen that housed stag the owl killed. Until two days ago I really liked the pen as easy to fold yet strong enough to support a flat roof that readily comes off in winds that would otherwise role the pen. Will explore wrapping lower 12" or so with poultry wire to make so owl cannot reach in nor chicken reach out in darkness even if owl knocks chicken off roost.

 

[centrarchid]

Student coming out before dawn to follow a free-range chicken from roost to roost was confused by dogs that came up to her barking but were not barking at her. I shined light on owl to east to see the commotion stirrer.

Owl came in to feed while I was closing up barn for night. Ben the male dog kept owl away for most of night by laying within 50' of carcass. Still owl came in for two protracted feeding stations.

 

[Don 27]

Student coming out before dawn to follow a free-range chicken from roost to roost was confused by dogs that came up to her barking but were not barking at her. I shined light on owl to east to see the commotion stirrer.

Owl came in to feed while I was closing up barn for night. Ben the male dog kept owl away for most of night by laying within 50 of carcass. Still owl came in for two protracted feeding stations.

I watch the chickens in the morning and in the evening for a little while. But the student actually watched the chickens all day that's some patience and perseverance. Well it's better than being inside.

 

[centrarchid]

I watch the chickens in the morning and in the evening for a little while. But the student actually watched the chickens all day that's some patience and perseverance. Well it's better than being inside.

Every 15 minutes she goes into a 2 minute bout of recording how many times the target bird pecks, scratches, bills and chases a food item. She also tries to ascertain whether and item is plant or animal. Latter part we know is error prone with smaller items consumed.

In totally / truly free-range setting like involved here, behaviors are very different than what you see in a run or where feed is supplied free-choice. Birds in this study are getting all their eats by foraging yet can fill crop and have excellent weight. Student is also seeing different microhabitat associations as a function of weather.

 

[Don 27]

Every 15 minutes she goes into a 2 minute bout of recording how many times the target bird pecks, scratches, bills and chases a food item. She also tries to ascertain whether and item is plant or animal. Latter part we know is error prone with smaller items consumed.

In totally / truly free-range setting like involved here, behaviors are very different than what you see in a run or where feed is supplied free-choice. Birds in this study are getting all their eats by foraging yet can fill crop and have excellent weight. Student is also seeing different microhabitat associations as a function of weather.

That's dedication.


We have birds in a truly free ranging setting as well. They have to survive completely off the land. One time I pmed you about it. Remember the red jungle fowl thread . ya Not good ...`~` you were very nice to me though! I appreciate that.

Thurricane was being unreasonable.

 

[centrarchid]

That's dedication.


We have birds in a truly free ranging setting as well. They have to survive completely off the land. One time I pmed you about it. Remember the red jungle fowl thread . ya Not good ...`~` you were very nice to me though! I appreciate that.

Thurricane was being unreasonable.

Student doing effort for scholarship and academic credit. Harder part is making sense of the data. I hope to have her present results somewhere. What she is doing is well outside what literature deals with when raising chickens.

Some of my barn birds get a good amount of feed each day and they do not range near as far.