owl in my meatie pen

[RoosterGeek]

Quote:

That's great! Move him around a bit to keep it fresh for the Rooster. As a side benefit it might deter mice?

 

[3rocksandme]

Owls are federally protected. We play a radio at night and have good luck with it but our birds are also in an enclosed coop.

 

[TheFeatheredTempest]

Yes, owls are federally protected. And going on a public forum and advising someone else to break the law is well.........not responsible in my opinion. That being said I would recommend trying some deterrents. Of course you could use a sturdier roofing for your pen. You might also try flagging that waves around in the wind (probably white) and anything else that twirls and/or makes noise that would be disturbing to the owl. You might also spray paint white the wiring atop the pen so it is visible to nocturnal aerial predators. The owl obviously did not see it or it wouldn't have tried this stunt. A plastic owl or hawk mounted on or near your pen may deter the real thing since they are territorial. However, the owl is likely to have been seriously traumatized by this experience and will most likely not come back. Also, owls and other raptors are moving around this time of year and migrating to other areas for winter. Even owls will shift their ranges south from the northern latitudes. This was quite possibly not a resident owl and may simply be moving through your area. He may already be hundreds of miles away.

 

[RoosterGeek]

Quote:
As an outdoorsman/backpacker, I realize that birds of prey play an important part in their local habitat. I also realize that this was probably just a misunderstanding on the owl's part. When I set up such pens around my property I usually have some fairly high visibility cues. Premiers electric fencing tape is excellent for that role, not to mention as nice little jolt for animals trying to dig under the tractor when placed around the perimeter bottom.

A quick fix for this would probably just to take some PVC pipe you may have laying around and lay it across the top. A step further would be to paint some black and alternative colors to increase contrast.

 

[jaku]

I say ignore everyone else, be sure to stick to that 3rd "S" and you'll be fine.

 

[DuckLady]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=5808

Specifically
*It is the responsibility of the person with the predator to determine the legalities of what they do and that person will take ultimate responsibility. BYC does not condone illegal acts.

Please take this to a legal solution or we will have to close the thread.

 

[greeneggsandham]

Depending on how big your coop area is grab some of this fencing. http://www.tractorsupply.com/fencing/welded-wire-fencing/cage-wire-2-ft-x-25-ft--3621334 other places besides tractor supply sell it. I have it over the top of my coops and I haven't lost one to a hawk, owl, or any other flying critter.