Official BYC Poll: The Worst Predator

[CoturnixComplex]

I think this thread is fantastic and I am so sorry for anyone who has to deal with more urban predators like raccoons and dogs, they can absolutely suck the most to root out.

I also think that anyone who hasn't voted "bear" has never lived near bears.

My vote goes....BEAR. This adorable posse of criminals broke into my garage and ate 22 birds.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

I don't want to be rude, but..can you tell me what state you live in? I want to know because of your bear problem.

 

[CoturnixComplex]

I don't want to be rude, but..can you tell me what state you live in? I want to know because of your bear problem.

Good ole California, but you won't have an issue unless you live high up in the Sierra Nevada mountains We are almost touching Nevada.

We also have every other predator listed. But that is not the case in most of the state.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Good ole California, but you won't have an issue unless you live high up in the Sierra Nevada mountains We are almost touching Nevada.

We also have every other predator listed. But that is not the case in most of the state.

Thank you, my friend!

 

[fullyfleeced]

you need a new poll option: Ravens. They are currently the most pressing threat to my flock, attacking in pairs and taking down fully grown hens.

 

[wild chick]

you need a new poll option: Ravens. They are currently the most pressing threat to my flock, attacking in pairs and taking down fully grown hens

Do they kill them or just pester them? Ravens are mostly scavengers, not hunters, but they will defend their territory something fierce.
I have a pair of nesting ravens near my property and they hang out, but never bother the chickens. They drive off every hawk that I've ever seen. One time a couple of fledglings went into the coop because they discovered the chicken feeder in there, but I put a stop to that. Sometimes they will come down and eat scratch that the chickens left, but they've never bothered the chickens. I free range on several acres and the broody hens have raised 4 clutches now, and I let them out to free range at 1 week with their mommas. I admit that I was concerned that the ravens might try to take a chick, and might learn where the eggs are laid, but so far, so good. It's been over 3 years now, and the nesting ravens were here first. I'm very curious about the behavior of your local ravens.

 

[luckychick105]

I live in Ireland so we never get anything other than foxes, mink and dogs. Just this week we have lost two chickens to a new fox in the neighbourhood. This one is very cheeky, there was recently a fox hunt near our house so you would have thought that any foxes in the area would have scampered! He also waits early in the morning for any of my neighbour's chickens that sleep in a tree come down! He was caught trying to CLIMB the tree, only to chased off by my neighbour's dog. I don't think foxes should be out climbing trees!

 

[fullyfleeced]

Do they kill them or just pester them? Ravens are mostly scavengers, not hunters, but they will defend their territory something fierce.
I have a pair of nesting ravens near my property and they hang out, but never bother the chickens. They drive off every hawk that I've ever seen. One time a couple of fledglings went into the coop because they discovered the chicken feeder in there, but I put a stop to that. Sometimes they will come down and eat scratch that the chickens left, but they've never bothered the chickens. I free range on several acres and the broody hens have raised 4 clutches now, and I let them out to free range at 1 week with their mommas. I admit that I was concerned that the ravens might try to take a chick, and might learn where the eggs are laid, but so far, so good. It's been over 3 years now, and the nesting ravens were here first. I'm very curious about the behavior of your local ravens.

They are not just pestering. They are attacking, killing, eating.
Lots of people seem to think that this is very unusual raven behavior, but none the less, it is what our local ones are doing. I have been observing them closely, and have just had to put my girls in lock-down to try and break this pattern of behavior.

 

[wild chick]

Well, it IS unusual raven behavior. They aren't made to kill & tear apart large prey with their beaks. They find road kill or coyote kills that have already been torn apart, because they literally have no way to break the skin on a large animal except the eyes or vent in the case of a chicken. It isn't that your case is impossible, just very unusual.

 

[two j farm]

Fox for me. Just lost a chicken yesterday to a fox. Chicken are on lockdown now, no more free ranging for now. Kits are being born and mamas are looking for a free meal around here.