Help from the crows

[BugsToBirds]

I had a hawk kill a duck as well as a hen a while back, and it's been coming around just about every day since, usually around 3. More and more lately, crows have been coming around and chasing it off, which has been a huge help. I have to wonder if they think our black australorps are just inept crows. Has anyone had any similar experiences? Any advice for encouraging this behavior? I've been throwing out scratch when I'm in plain view of them and plan on setting up a spot for shiny offerings... once the snow stops. Maybe a fake crow to attract them too? Whatever it takes to keep the hawk away.

 

[Naser]

Put a feeder for the crows

 

[Onyxflock]

I had a hawk kill a duck as well as a hen a while back, and it's been coming around just about every day since, usually around 3. More and more lately, crows have been coming around and chasing it off, which has been a huge help. I have to wonder if they think our black australorps are just inept crows. Has anyone had any similar experiences? Any advice for encouraging this behavior? I've been throwing out scratch when I'm in plain view of them and plan on setting up a spot for shiny offerings... once the snow stops. Maybe a fake crow to attract them too? Whatever it takes to keep the hawk away.

They might attack a fake crow, as they're really territorial. Here we have ravens, but they hawks don't seem to care about them. In fact a hawk flew into the bushes full of wild birds, right past my head. Wasn't deterred at all that I was thwee. They trap them in between the bushes and fence. Anyway, feed the corws and they will come. But watch them around your chicks and if they can access eggs, they will peck holes into them.

 

[Naser]

if they can access eggs, they will peck holes into them. .

If you put dark curtains at the entrance of the nesting boxes they don't go in, a crow wants to be able to see what at its back before it goes in any place.

 

[Chickassan]

Yes! Crows are the best hawk deterrent you could ask for they're cheap labor too lol.
If they can eat well and feed their young due to your flock existing they'll gladly stay.

 

[cmom]

I put stuff out for the crows. They come every day looking for their treats and if they see a hawk around, they will chase it off. I even made a bird bath for them. They were trying to use a smaller one which didn't work out so well. I put tubing in them and they are on a timer so they always are full of water.

I don't know where the crows were on this day. A Red Tail hawk. Sorry for the blurry.

 

[Buckeye Amy]

How nice of the crows to help you out! It's nice of you to give them some treats and a free bath for their trouble. The only time I get to see crows is in the spring when they migrate through the area.

 

[aart]

Crows can help, but I wouldn't feed them.
Saw a couple bluejays harassing a hawk out back the other day.

 

[theautumnalfox]

Maybe they have a nest near your coop and that's what they are protecting. I know that I've found a few song bird eggs in the lawn recently, so I assume that some species have begun the nesting process.

 

[nao57]

This is weird.

So I was reading up on predators and...wow a lot of the comments you guys are saying are similar to what I'm seeing.

Well I'm assuming crows are the small black birds that keep following my ducks and chickens out in the morning. There aren't any other small black birds a bit bigger than sparrows are there? (Besides ravens.)

The last few days when feeding my ducks and chickens, there had been 2 little black birds out there that were attracted to it. I'd wondered if maybe they thought they'd find food just because other birds were finding food there. (Its interesting behavior and thought process right? It suggests some intelligence.)

Is it true that crows (or was it ravens) will combat hawks in an area?

Is this an exception that's rare or quite common also?