I hate turkey vultures...

[fourgotten]

The other posters are correct in that turkey vultures do not eat live animals. They are specifically evolved for eating carrion, from their external appearance to their internal workings. They do not eat living creatures.

It is certainly illegal to shoot them, as they are migratory, endangered birds.

If I'm not mistaken almost all raptors and certainly all vultures are federally protected. Shooting one may land you in a very bad situation.

 

[FireTigeris]

Really vultures talons are made wrong to attack like a hawk does, hawks have 'quick snap' tendons in there legs that vultures don't need so don't have... I have never seen a verified report of a vulture attack (not online as vultures are often misidentified). Vultures don't carry anything away either legs not built for it- they eat as much as possible digest were they are, then leave.

 

[beckt]

IMHO you ae dealing with something else besides the vultures. Like state above, they are the clean up crew. Did you see with your own eyes them attack the chickens? We have them here and they do not go after live birds. I have thrown dead vermin out in the fields for them to clean up but that is what they are designed to do. I know they look pretty scarry up close and all but killers they are not.

 

[SunnysideupstateNY]

Well whatever it was is having a very nice lunch. I'm not having much luck getting the injured one to drink the water that now has antibiotics. A little afraid to dip her beak in, she has a few open wounds on her head. I'd hate to open them up again. She's already lost a lot of blood.

 

[Tiniest Animal]

But to get rid of hawks and even night animals like owls skunks and raccoons. You can put up fishing string across the top of it and make like a chess board with it. (With squares) Then put some yellow or orange tape streamers and tie it to the fishing string every foot or so. These streamers will flutter in the slightest breeze and will startle any hawk or wild animal that tries to get in to get your chickens. The only thing it doesn't scare is snakes?? I would think. Thanks and good luck!! I have a 12gage if you want to use it.

 

[redhen]

I've had the SAME problem with vultures going after my birds.. (and many others on here too..)
I wish you luck.. i cant get rid of mine...

 

[desertdarlene]

That is very odd. The only live prey I've ever seen a vulture take are chicks from nests and they're usually weak or unguarded chicks. I saw one take a baby coot from a nest, the parent tried to fight the vulture off, but too late. Must have been a weak baby as baby coots are very active.

Vultures are "lazy" when it comes to their food, they don't want to work hard in obtaining it, so they go for already dead, dying, or very weak animals and birds.

However, I have seen large, dark-colored hawks around who could also be the culprit. Some red-tails have a dark phase and they can get pretty large. They also like to hunt by riding the thermals and looking for prey.

Good luck with your chickens, hope they get better.

 

[Bassleg]

Quote:
So shoot them at night

 

[Chickengal505]

edited b/c of tecnacal issues

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
Very true..
I have never had a Vulture go after a live bird..

And I also believe that it is illegal to shoot them just like shooting hawks is illegal...

Chris