Official BYC Poll: The Worst Predator

[adgcountrygirl]

PS... I have 5 full-grown cats, and they don't mess with the chickens. (I didn't let the chicks out of their pen until they were nearly big as the cats. (Now they are bigger than the cats!)

 

[JD4570]

I am amazed how many people have trouble with their neighbors dogs. My neighbors know the only kind of dog that gets past the fence is a dead dog.

 

[Flockstar]

Woah, Raccoons and dogs? I understand how people lose chickens to raccoons, because they are smart. (a clan of raccoons almost teared my friend's house down to live in it.) But Dogs? Most dogs I know, barely make it out of the house boundary... Predators? Most of my chickens have been lost to cats and eagles. The cat waits for me to leave the chickens out to walk before it strikes, but I chase it away... An eagle also lives near a tree, not to close but not to far away, and he comes to hunt when I send my chickens out to walk, The eagle was about to strike and kill one of my chicks, but I drived it away.

 

[Flockstar]

and btw, where we used to live, the rats were humungous, we called them Graveyard Rats, mostly common at graveyards. They were giant, and unlike most rats, who bite chick's neck's and leave them, they eat them all up.

 

[Chicken Rustler]

There seems to be a preditor missing HUMANS !!! Think about they kill literally truck loads of chickens every day. All in the making of a meal.

 

[Allygirl]

We lost 10 to a Mink and 1 to our neighbors Min Pins (dogs).

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Man is on the list.

Dogs have taken the most chickens from me. Neighbors Malamute/Husky crosses.

Possums are trying to take over the lead. I set traps nightly.

 

[afveteran88]

Hawks.
Almost lost one yesterday but I just happen to be right by the run and scared it off. Can I shoot them?

 

[redsoxs]

Quote:
"Can" you shoot them? Well, yes. But know that if you get caught it will likely come with a hefty fine and possibly more than a fine. Depending on where you live and who adminsters to your local wildlife, it could be no big deal or a huge deal. Some on BYC say you shouldn't ever shoot a hawk because another will quickly absorb that one's territory. Then there's the legal aspect as well. Others will say you should do what you have to do to protect your property. If it was me I would contact my local wildlife type person and ask before pulling the trigger. Just my 2 cents.

 

[julsmc]

I just discovered a hawk sitting on the fence by my bird feeder. I am worried about my chickens. I have heard that if you put a statue of an owl out it will discourage hawks from coming around. Any thoughts?