We have a rescued great horned owl that nests in the tree across the road from us, and a hawk (can't remember the species off hand) that was released in the field over there as well and has stuck around since its release in April (state let us know they were releasing it across from us since they seen we had chickens) and I see her quite often flying overhead. My chickens free range, and I have silkies, a few mixed bannies, EE's, and chicks running around my yard plus the neighbor's multitude of chickens who free range in both yards as well... My neighbor looses chickens to night time predators because his don't return to the coop at night (some don't - most do though), but I have not lost a single chicken yet since i started with mine again in March and have been free ranging since late April. My chickens are locked up at night and between cats and dogs (mine + neighbors) the night time predators haven't tried to get into the coop at all except one of the neighbor's hunting dogs whom got a pop with a low powered BB gun (bounced right off him - so not cruel better than me trying to shoot him with a bullet with my poor night vision and him not dying) the other night.
I don't mind the raptors they have a job to do and they have to eat as well. There is a healthy supply of rats and mice in the fields that surround me and even in my yard, and I have watched the great horned one evening right at dusk swoop down into the yard not 40 feet from me and take off with a squealing mouse.
I don't believe its fair to my chickens to keep them cooped up in a pen all day - when the neighbor's chickens are all over the place and down here to 'taunt' them, so I take the chance that nature will take its course. However I do notice my chickens do not tend to go out into the great big open area of my back yard instead hang under the trees and bushes or right by the house. I guess thats instinct telling them that with predators about its the best cover.
I would never want to shoot a raptor - and it has nothing to do with the fine or jail time...It has every right to live and to them the chickens are there for the good getting and they don't bother people or pose a threat to us. Now raccoons, possums, coyotes, and foxes can carry rabies and will lose their fear of people and will try their darnedest and beyond to get into a coop or run after chickens and thus they need to be dealt with accordingly.
I don't mind the raptors they have a job to do and they have to eat as well. There is a healthy supply of rats and mice in the fields that surround me and even in my yard, and I have watched the great horned one evening right at dusk swoop down into the yard not 40 feet from me and take off with a squealing mouse.
I would never want to shoot a raptor - and it has nothing to do with the fine or jail time...It has every right to live and to them the chickens are there for the good getting and they don't bother people or pose a threat to us. Now raccoons, possums, coyotes, and foxes can carry rabies and will lose their fear of people and will try their darnedest and beyond to get into a coop or run after chickens and thus they need to be dealt with accordingly.
