It was HORRIBLE!!

[LynneP]

Seagulls do the same thing, it's visible in the hugely popular 'Public Gardens' in Halifax, too. Nasty business but unless your roof your birds' run, it's an open invitation to feed.

 

[jjthink]

Very sad. 'Chicklets' are too vulnerable without protection against preds and need to stay in until they can be protected. Deer netting is very economical.
JJ

 

[Chicky Tocks]

Aww man, I'm so sorry this happened. I'd be so upset. I hate crows. I've pulled up in my driveway only to find my vegetable garden covered in them and every vegetable was pecked.

But thank you for posting this. If anything it could help to save another chick's life from the likes of a crow. They're just so fast!

 

[treeclimber233]

I have not read all the replies to this thread but I would suggest not shooting the crows (a mistake I made early on) because they will keep hawks away once the chicks grow up. Crows were eating my chicken feed and some were shot. Later hawks got 17 of my adult chickens before I figured out how to stop them. Fishing string criss crossed across the top of the pen stopped the hawk attacks.

 

[Sallyschickens]

I used fishing line to spider web my run also!! So far it has worked.

I am very sorry about your loss and esp sorry it happened in front of your own baby.

I am so glad to have this forum. Because you shared this tragic story, I learned something that I was unaware of:

I just moved to Western WA where we have lots of crows AND seagulls. I had no idea they were so carniverous! I was only worried about hawks etc. I thought crows only bumbled around and ate out of my garden. Now I know why they hang out near my coop and run! I thought they had their eyes on the chicken feed scattered about.

I was just about to invest in some show quality Ameraucauna chicks too. Now I will be better prepared to protect them. I really had no idea that crows were so nasty!!

Does anyone know if chicks would be safe from crows if they are with their mother hen?

 

[Sallyschickens]

Quote:
Wow, good to know. You would think that hawks would not be afraid of crows...they are the same size as chickens. Who would have thunk it?!

Thanks for the information!

 

[Akane]

When you have a potential prey animal outside even in a building or run you should expect it to happen at least once. I've lost guinea pigs, rabbits, chickens.... Many in secure pens and some free ranging the backyard. Expect it. Be prepared for it. No matter what you do it will happen at least once.

You can get netting in the garden section for throwing over berry bushes and similar to keep wild animals out of them. It's only a few bucks for a huge piece but I generally just keep my chicks inside in a large rabbit/guinea pig cage (homemade 3x6') for about 6weeks and then in the 170sq ft coop until they are near full grown. They can leave the coop if they really want but the doorway is a foot up and then has a several inch bar a couple inches above that so the smaller ones would have to fly to get over it. The bantams generally don't try it until they are 4-5months old. If I put them out in the coop sooner than 6weeks I'd probably build a temporary pen in there to keep them locked up while still letting my adults out to free range. If you have no adults to let out then just keep the chicks in until they are big enough to not be carried off by anything and everything that comes by.

 

[Meloout831]

I want to buy a pellet gun to get them birds. Crows you can kill without permits.

 

[Meloout831]

Quote:
Treeclimber, thanks for the idea!!

 

[AHappychick]

I lkost a baby starling that I had raised from one day old when it was just learning to fly from a crow. I had never considered them to be a threat. I am so sorry i too chased it screaming and crying for a mile or so. Until you get a cover on the run you will have to supervise closely.