Neighbor busted for hawk death

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

There was a person here in Eastern NC a while back that shot and killed an Osprey. From what the news story said he shot and killed it on his property and just left it. Come to find out it was a rescue bird and had a tracker on it. The news didn't say but i'm guessing the bird didn't hit the ground or something would have carried it off. When they saw it wasn't moving the showed up and found the bird shot. That was a large fine for that guy.

Steve

 

[lynxs1981]

Quote:
Actually it has worked for me. You don't just get the fine and that's it. You go to court for it just like any other ticket and explain why you did it. There's a difference between being malicious and defending.

 

[3rocksandme]

Most birds of prey are protected. Alot of animal who prey on chickens are protected. It's really tough to raise those chickens and respect laws at the same time. We lost 4 to hawks (or maybe just 1 hawk, not sure)

 

[ranchhand]

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Might have even posted about it online - facebook or even a forum! ANYTHING online is visible to the WORLD. There are people reading this right now who are hanging out on BYC but haven't joined yet. I would imagine we have members from US Fish & Wildlife because they raise chickens, too!

As far as wounding or killing a migratory bird? Don't do it. It's not worth the Federal fines and/or jail time. I'd rather keep my chickens in a pen than be penned up myself!

 

[oesdog]

It is a hard one. - I have a great love for wildlife - I love Hawks but not that they take chickens. I love Foxes too and they are beautiful to watch in the wild but I hate them being torn to bits by hunting dogs. So I make sure I do the very best I can to preditor proof my runs. I can see both sides Hawks are majestic and they have to live to I guess - just not on our chickens! There have been some really cruel cases here were someone has even cut the feet off a bird of prey. Why ?????? I hate cruelty to any animals. I think the uprights to stop them landing are the best idea. I would be so upset to have my chickens taken by a hawk but also would hate to see one suffer - I hate Foxes being hunted too. It is hard - bit like loving your hens while eating a chicken sandwhich!

Oesdog -

 

[dsqard]

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Good thinking.

From what I understand all raptors are federally protected.

 

[Brindlebtch]

All raptors and all migratory birds are federally protected. I think the only birds not protected in the US are starlings, English sparrows, pigeons, and Eurasian collared doves.

 

[bburn]

We have our run covered for this reason. Walked out the other day and a hawk flew off the top of the run. It could not get inside because of the covering. Live out in the country and will not let my chickens free range because of the hawks and other animals...the worst being the neighbors dogs and cats.
We have to protect them because we chose them. Making your coop and run as predator safe as possible is what we can do for them.

 

[Chicken Boo]

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I agree. I would not hesitate to turn someone in for cruelty or killing for no good reason. I just do my best to take care of them. When I took them in that was my promise to take care of and protect them.

As for your last sentence, my solution was to stop eating chicken (and any other meat).

 

[wsdareme]

The raptor issue is creating another problem, at least for me.

I'm not planning on becoming a major egg producer -- just want to sell my extra eggs to supplement my feed costs. We have a LOT of hawks and eagles in our area, as well as packs of coyotes, and I am afraid to let my birds free range because I don't want them killed (and I have over 6 acres, so they would really enjoy free ranging). As a result, my girls have a nice covered run, but it's only10'x20'. But that means I can't sell my eggs as "free range" eggs, which seems to be the big attraction these days. If I didn't care as much if I lost the girls, I could let them take their chances, and be able to offer "free range" eggs.

I wonder when some animal rights group is going to jump on the bandwagon that "free range" chickens are in danger from predators and that free ranging your chickens is 'cruel'!

That kinda stinks!