When Prim was out Sunday, I saw my first hawk flying around here. A little later we saw some buzzards flying around too. Will the buzzards go after my chickens too? I feel silly asking, and didn't think to ask Prim when she was here. Total newbie question...glad I am still full of surprises!
Black necked or red necked buzzards WILL take a small chicken...Bantams and teen chicks, and of course the baby chicks. Now be careful, it IS a state protected bird.... actually it's protected by the nation under the.. well here:
"The Black Vulture can be held in captivity, though the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act only allows this in the case of animals which are injured or unable to return to the wild.
[52] It receives special legal protections under the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 in the United States,
[4] by the Convention for the Protection of Migratory Birds in Canada,
[53] and by the Convention for the Protection of Migratory Birds and Game Mammals in Mexico.
[53] In the United States it is illegal to take, kill, or possess Black Vultures and violation of the law is punishable by a fine of up to US$15,000 and imprisonment of up to six months.
[52] It is listed as a species of Least Concern by the
IUCN Red List. Populations appear to remain stable, and it has not reached the threshold of inclusion as a threatened species, which requires a decline of more than 30% in ten years or three generations."
So there is little you can do, but at times an area can become overly populated with them... it has been recommended to toss a carcass of any kind in an open field area they are flying or roosting near to sway their need for food away from your personal flock.
. LOVE the feathertude!!!!!
Lets hope it stays that way!!!
