kestrels/bantams

[albird101]

For a while now there has been a really large population of kestrels, I seen 10 the past week when I rarely see them.. anyways we have a lot of bantams running around some adults that I'm not really so worried about because, there really big bantams and some that are around 5 months that are still small probably the same size of a white dove!! And some broodies who are walking around with chicks the broodies are excellent mothers and guard there chicks very well I seen one of my hens attack and corner a pigeon that wandered in the coop, feathers were everywere so I'm pretty sure they can take on kestrel but I'm more worried about the 5 months chicks, what do you guys think? Will the kestrels kill them

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! You might like to post in the Predators forum about them www.backyardchickens.com/f/13/predators-and-pests we have them around here, have never had them bother the chickens, could see them taking small chicks, but doubt they would bother a 5 month old even a bantam unless it was really tiny.

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

Kestrels are pretty small hawks. However if hungry enough, they might bother the chicks. I would post this in the Predators and Pest section of the forums and ask this same question there. Maybe others have had more experience with Kestrels. Kelsie has left you with the link.

Enjoy all your poultry adventures and welcome to our flock!

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

Kestrels are really after much smaller prey than chickens - even a small chick is near the large end of their normal prey.

 

[gander007]