Great horned owl killed my chickens!

[buttercup95]

Well I can honestly say that ever since I got my two cats two years ago my rat population has been virtually non-existent. I started keeping my cats inside at night since this happened, so no cats for it to eat. The only thing I can think they would like are the cotton tails that are in the area, but my cats have even put a dent in their population.

 

[speckledhen]

An actual coop will fix that problem. Pens, even ones with hardware cloth, are not a great protection against overnight predators. After all, predators can see the meal right in front of them and they have all night to try to get to it while you're sleeping. They need a closed building for safety at night.

 

[buttercup95]

Oh I'm, sorry I thought I said I had a coop earlier. I have a small coop with each of my runs, but I usually don't lock them up at night. I started doing that right after the owl attacked.

 

[jamesparke]

I lost an Americans 2 nights ago. Forgot to shut them in. Left for work at 3 am. Found one very scared b. Marian even wanted me to pick him up...only three white feathers left. And no coyote tracks. What ever it. Was was quiet. Assume a white bird walking on a full moon is a easy Target.

 

[speckledhen]

Oh I'm, sorry I thought I said I had a coop earlier. I have a small coop with each of my runs, but I usually don't lock them up at night. I started doing that right after the owl attacked.

No, either you didn't mention it or I missed that. Yes, they must be locked up before dark for maximum safety, and now that owls found them, they absolutely cannot be left in the pen.

 

[buttercup95]

No, either you didn't mention it or I missed that. Yes, they must be locked up before dark for maximum safety, and now that owls found them, they absolutely cannot be left in the pen.

Yep that's what I'm doing right now. I also should clarify that I didn't mention it I just already knew I had a coop and didn't bother sharing

 

[speckledhen]

It's just that so many folks do not have any type of closed shelter, just pens and a lean-to type of thing, and the way you had written that, it sounded like that's what the situation was.

That can work if there are livestock guardian dogs roaming, but if not, well, it's usually a sad story waiting to happen.

 

[buttercup95]

Yeah I have an anatolian who used to roam but she started roaming to the neighbors so now she only gets to stay in the yard.

 

[Jessorr2]

I see this is an older thread but I'd appreciate any help I can get
We've had some sort of predictor killing chickens and taking the eggs
Last night unbeknownst to my husband when he went to lock our chickens up the culprit was still in the coop and he locked the Great Horned Owl in the coop with a bunch of my chickens. Needless to say I got a bit of a surprise when I went to let the chickens out this morning and a Great Horned owl was sitting on top of a dead small chicken .
I tried to shoo it out of the coop but it just sat there giving me the stare down . Finally it decided to take off and it flew over top of my head touching my head with its feet and leaving a scratch on my forehead -
Now I'm scared I'll lose my whole beautiful flock to this giant bird - anyone have any suggestions how to get rid of the owl? ( I'm pretty sure you can't shoot them or kill them in Alberta )
I need all the help I can get!!!

 

[CluckerCottage]

You can enclose the top of your run and close up any gaps you may have in your fencing and coop. I suggest hardware cloth rather than flimsy chicken wire.
You need to make it very hard for an owl or any other predator to get to your birds.
That said, I am sorry for your loss and sorry you were scratched as the owl escaped the coop.
Good luck to you!
CluckerCottage