Lady feeding raptors - law on my side?

[FlaRocky]

Where in Forida are you?? I am in Lake County. I would also call the Fla. Dept. Of Ag. with any questions.

Maye

 

[spolicas]

Where in Forida are you?? I am in Lake County. I would also call the Fla. Dept. Of Ag. with any questions.
Maye

Howdy!

I am in Seminole County, so just a tad east of you. I'm definitely planning to call the Fla. Dept. of Ag. tomorrow. I'll keep you updated on what they tell me about this whole situation.

 

[spolicas]

Get a shamo rooster. They stand about 3 feet tall, are awesome flock protectors, but friendly to people. You just can't have another rooster or the fight is on. But if you only want one rooster and you aren't breeding your hens for chicks, then it doesn't matter that they would be mixed breed. You could even get a shamo hen or two just for the heck of it. Here is a link, there is a lot more information available if you do a search.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/455195/shamo-anyone

Thanks! Three feet? Are they the largest available or something?

Would they hurt my Opringtons if they tried to mate with them? Because I have one Orpington who is a bit smaller than the rest...

 

[juststruttin]

Okay, I'll look into those types. Are they friendly? What would make them better than an Orpington roo? Would they be able to mate with my Oprington hens? What kind/color of chick would that produce?

Yeah, as I said earlier there is a Right To Farm law in Florida, and the Dept. of Ag has a law that allows farmers to obtain a permit to use ground-to-air fireworks in order to protect their livestock and crops. I'll probably use this route as a stop gap for now, while looking for other more permanent alternatives that are less costly .

Yeah the only wildlife you aren't allowed to feed are ones that cause public safety concern (Alligators, Florida Panther, Florida Black Bear, etc.) and endangered species (Scrub Jay, Sandhill Crane, etc.). I will keep looking for a blanket law for now.

If anyone knows of any law, or where to look for one, in The State of Florida, please let me know! I've searched on the FWC and DoA websites to no avail - I'll be calling them tomorrow when their offices open to ask about laws and ordinances.

I have never had a chicken get killed by a hawk and I could not understand why since I see them flying over head all the time. Then one day, my Welsummer roosters lets out a loud growl, took off running across the pasture and body slams one of my hens. I had no idea what was going on until I saw a hawk fly up from under the dog pile. I was amazed. Apparently, I was having hawk attacks but my rooster knew what to do. I am not sure if all my roosters would step up to the plate - I guess it depends on their individual personalities.

 

[juststruttin]

I smell lawsuit potential coming from owner of horses if horses panic. Evidence on this thread would prove damning to party using pyrotechnics in part to intimidate another party in addition to protected wildlife.

Agreed, the booms will scare the horses and could easily cause injury.

 

[Kikiriki]

Call your Dept. of Fish and Game and Wildlife office. I have a neighbor who was feeding vultures! Because she was putting out meat or rotten meat, depended on her mood, it also brought all sorts of fun things to our farm. When I called the above, they did go out and she did get a verbal warning, she ended our friendship, after having asked her politely multiple times, and is quite rude and nasty now. We still have trouble with her AND 2 other people feeding the wildlife on our road so I live by the 3 S's...shoot, shovel, and shut up.

I look at it that my chickens depend on me to take care of them. Mine do not roam, they do not get into anyone's yard or dig up bulbs or spray urine on their horse blankets (like the above neighbors cat has done to me), or anything else. So why should I have to put up with a crazy old woman who has nothing better to do than feed the wildlife around me because for her, she wants to see it up close...if that is the case, go to a zoo!!

I called the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and it is perfectly legal to feed/handle raptors in The State of Florida - so long as they are not being penned. I am going to call the Florida Department of Agriculture and report her as a nuisance to my farm, maybe?

I do know in The State of Florida that we do have a law which allows us to buy fireworks that lift off the ground for agricultural purposes (otherwise they are banned). As most people abuse the law, I am unable to find much of anything that is helpful related to agriculture use online. I do know though if I get an Agricultural Fireworks Permit that I can light off ground-to-air rockets whenever this lady or the birds are around in order to protect my property and defend my right to farm. Has anyone used this?

I would get the permit for fireworks... The lady is the problem because she is harming the hawks as well as bringing them to your area in an unnatural manner rather than the few who may be in the area because it is their territory...

Plus, she is probably hurting them through the diet: you can print the info below and tape it to her horses stall door... It is an excerpt from a longer article at the linked site.

When you see her feeding, go out with the boomer fireworks, because you would be doing a favor to your chickens and the hawks!

http://www.eraptors.org/backyard-feeding.htm

Should you purposefully feed raptors? Probably not. Remember, you ARE feeding them by creating what is, in effect, a somewhat unnatural congregation of their food items at your backyard feeders. It is often difficult to attract them to food that isn't moving, for only some of the raptors are naturally scavengers. Raptors are territorial and it's unlikely you will attract any but those already living there; the continued presence of any other is likely to open border skirmishes. It would be impossible to provide a balanced diet for raptors without providing whole animals... Anyone willing to provide mice, rats or, say, day-old chickens? Very young animals (like day-old chicks) used as food need supplements to meet the requisite calcium/phosphorus levels and ratio. A pure meat or organ diet is grossly and dangerously deficient in calcium and a perfect prescription for metabolic bone disease, especially if your neighborhood raptors are feeding their own, fast-growing chicks with the food you supply. Organ meats from commercially grown chickens may be high in the food additives used to make chickens put on weight quickly: steroids and antibiotics. Finally, those predators that enrapture you may enrage your neighbor. It is simply not fair to habituate these birds to hand-outs or attract them into danger - that, to me, is a betrayal.

Why would someone feel the need to feed raptors? If simply trying to attract them to your yard, putting up nest boxes and attracting their natural food supply is a better solution. If you want to supplement them during a weather-related food shortage, you may not be doing them any favors. Many species of raptors are not true migrants, but they will move around in keeping with their food supply. Unless you are willing to meet the ENTIRE food needs of the raptor in your yard, you are doing it a disservice by keeping it from seeking more plentiful food elsewhere. A small active bird like a kestrel can eat its own body weight in food each day (depending on the caloric content of that food, and the time of the year: i.e., energy demands of cold weather, nesting, molting). If trying to distract them from the smorgasbord of prey species you have attracted to your feeders, forget it! Studies with feral or barn cats have shown that feeding them simply makes them healthier, more capable hunters; it does not keep them from hunting. My guess is that, given a choice, raptors would select the food on the wing. Best to provide your songbirds and quail with cover for when the raptors come to dine!

All in all, rather than feeding raptors (or raccoons or many other species that are trying to co-exist in the human-dominated landscape), you can make more positive, far-reaching contributions by the following actions and omissions: landscape with native plants that provide food and shelter at different times of the year for different species; provide a water feature; put up nest boxes; get rid of all or most of your lawn - it's a desert, in terms of wildlife habitat; don't use chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, rodenticides. It's hard not to get on a soapbox here, but there has been an alarming correlation reported in the veterinary literature of increased lympho-sarcoma in dogs whose owners use weed-and-feed products, and you can be sure it's not just in dogs. Rehabilitators see wildlife with signs of toxicity coming from areas with recent use of chemical fertilizers or slug bait. And there really is no such thing as a safe pesticide, rodenticide, or herbicide - they're designed to kill. Remember, survival of the fittest dictates that a young screech owl perfecting its hunting skills is much more likely to go after the Japanese beetle spinning in circles from organo-phosphate poisoning (it's a neuro-toxin) than the unaffected, sure-flying one; same for poisoned mice. Be a good citizen of the wider community and enjoy the diversity of nature! If you create a balanced community, the raptors will be there, too.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

I think your on the right path to find legal recourse to end the problem...while fireworks may be a pleasant thought, the repercussions could be a problem. The games can mate with hens, they produce a startling variety of colors and patterns, typically they are pleasant personalities, but you can always get a dud. Best bet is to get a mature proven roos from a reputable person who wants to part with an extra. Take your time and study the options. Good luck with the annoying boarder.

 

[spolicas]

I have never had a chicken get killed by a hawk and I could not understand why since I see them flying over head all the time. Then one day, my Welsummer roosters lets out a loud growl, took off running across the pasture and body slams one of my hens. I had no idea what was going on until I saw a hawk fly up from under the dog pile. I was amazed. Apparently, I was having hawk attacks but my rooster knew what to do. I am not sure if all my roosters would step up to the plate - I guess it depends on their individual personalities.

I have had multiple chickens get killed by hawks, and I have actually seen a hawk drop down on one of my hens and kill it, then simply leave. Other times they've killed, eaten some, and left the rest...

At one time I did have a Buff Orpington Rooster (we tried two), but they were really territorial and would go after us. But, I have seen this behavior before, where a hawk is seen and this REALLY LOUD sound (for lack of the term) comes out, then you hear all the hens cluck, and then boom they are running as fast as they can (low the the ground with wings spread out) to the barn - and that was just when one was flying over head. I also had my Orpinglorp Rooster (who was nicely pleasant) go out during night to fend something off in the barn area and his head got knocked off... so I understand what you are talking about. Hens just are so aloof at times, but the roosters usually are not - only to find a nice one and convince the rest of my family to bring him home.

 

[spolicas]

Agreed, the booms will scare the horses and could easily cause injury.

Okay, I do understand the risk. I'll look into it! Thanks.

 

[spolicas]

I would get the permit for fireworks... The lady is the problem because she is harming the hawks as well as bringing them to your area in an unnatural manner rather than the few who may be in the area because it is their territory...
Plus, she is probably hurting them through the diet: you can print the info below and tape it to her horses stall door... It is an excerpt from a longer article at the linked site.
When you see her feeding, go out with the boomer fireworks, because you would be doing a favor to your chickens and the hawks!
http://www.eraptors.org/backyard-feeding.htm
Should you purposefully feed raptors? Probably not. Remember, you ARE feeding them by creating what is, in effect, a somewhat unnatural congregation of their food items at your backyard feeders. It is often difficult to attract them to food that isn't moving, for only some of the raptors are naturally scavengers. Raptors are territorial and it's unlikely you will attract any but those already living there; the continued presence of any other is likely to open border skirmishes. It would be impossible to provide a balanced diet for raptors without providing whole animals... Anyone willing to provide mice, rats or, say, day-old chickens? Very young animals (like day-old chicks) used as food need supplements to meet the requisite calcium/phosphorus levels and ratio. A pure meat or organ diet is grossly and dangerously deficient in calcium and a perfect prescription for metabolic bone disease, especially if your neighborhood raptors are feeding their own, fast-growing chicks with the food you supply. Organ meats from commercially grown chickens may be high in the food additives used to make chickens put on weight quickly: steroids and antibiotics. Finally, those predators that enrapture you may enrage your neighbor. It is simply not fair to habituate these birds to hand-outs or attract them into danger - that, to me, is a betrayal.
Why would someone feel the need to feed raptors? If simply trying to attract them to your yard, putting up nest boxes and attracting their natural food supply is a better solution. If you want to supplement them during a weather-related food shortage, you may not be doing them any favors. Many species of raptors are not true migrants, but they will move around in keeping with their food supply. Unless you are willing to meet the ENTIRE food needs of the raptor in your yard, you are doing it a disservice by keeping it from seeking more plentiful food elsewhere. A small active bird like a kestrel can eat its own body weight in food each day (depending on the caloric content of that food, and the time of the year: i.e., energy demands of cold weather, nesting, molting). If trying to distract them from the smorgasbord of prey species you have attracted to your feeders, forget it! Studies with feral or barn cats have shown that feeding them simply makes them healthier, more capable hunters; it does not keep them from hunting. My guess is that, given a choice, raptors would select the food on the wing. Best to provide your songbirds and quail with cover for when the raptors come to dine!
All in all, rather than feeding raptors (or raccoons or many other species that are trying to co-exist in the human-dominated landscape), you can make more positive, far-reaching contributions by the following actions and omissions: landscape with native plants that provide food and shelter at different times of the year for different species; provide a water feature; put up nest boxes; get rid of all or most of your lawn - it's a desert, in terms of wildlife habitat; don't use chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, rodenticides. It's hard not to get on a soapbox here, but there has been an alarming correlation reported in the veterinary literature of increased lympho-sarcoma in dogs whose owners use weed-and-feed products, and you can be sure it's not just in dogs. Rehabilitators see wildlife with signs of toxicity coming from areas with recent use of chemical fertilizers or slug bait. And there really is no such thing as a safe pesticide, rodenticide, or herbicide - they're designed to kill. Remember, survival of the fittest dictates that a young screech owl perfecting its hunting skills is much more likely to go after the Japanese beetle spinning in circles from organo-phosphate poisoning (it's a neuro-toxin) than the unaffected, sure-flying one; same for poisoned mice. Be a good citizen of the wider community and enjoy the diversity of nature! If you create a balanced community, the raptors will be there, too.

Thank you so very much! I'll definitely print this out and tape it to her stall door. Thank you! I truly do want to be as cordial and diplomatic as possible. Glad to be able to do this, we'll see how it works out. I still haven't moved getting a rooster, and/or embracing my Right To Farm by obtaining a Agricultural Use Fireworks Permit.