I have heard the same thing about them. They are more likely to scavenge than to kill their own prey. However, I am pretty certain one took out a Buckeye cockerel on me once. It was okay though, I bought him from a breeder in Kentucky and he was an ugly piece of doo-doo.When I was at the state fair the DNR lady volunteer said that eagles rarely go after chickens, they go more for already dead animals or fish as they are lazy. do you think this is true? has anyone seen an eagle actually go after a chicken and kill it? Hawks I know definitely go after chickens. she said owls will too, she said they would even in broad daylight if they have baby owls to feed.
A Great Horned Owl has been my worst predator since I have had the birds, but it hasn't gotten any yet this year. I hope it stays that way.