owl in my meatie pen

[dustyw]

This morning on my way out to feed the meaties I noticed a large bird in the PVC coop. Once I got closer I realized it was the biggest owl I have ever seen. He killed 2, but was pretty frantic trying to get out. I opened the door and he flew out. I decided to let him go this time, but next time he won't be so lucky, he'll find out what the whizbang plucker is all about. I have the wire mesh on all the sides, but the top had the deer netting. I found it the netting on the door 2 cuts about his feet width apart and about 10 inches long. I suspect he swooped down and did not see the netting and sliced right threw it and then could not find his way back out. Does anybody think he will be back after being trapped in there? If so, how can I deter him from coming back? A light? A radio?

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

owls are predators and you have pen full of prey so my guess is that he will be back.

 

[jaku]

The 3 S's is my rule of thumb for all predators (except eagles, which I'd LOVE to watch eat my birds)

Shoot
Shovel
Shut up

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

i dont know . . . I have eagles and they are BIG!!! they leave my birds alone though.

 

[jaku]

We have a bald eagle that only comes around when I have birds. He circles so high you can barely see him. I'd give anything to seehim dive-bomb my tractor and grab a bird!

 

[rungirl]

I heard a rutkus in my coop last night and went out and found a HUGE owl. I soccer kicked him out! Whew, that was close! No real harm done, just a few tail feathers were pulled out of a hen. That could have been bad... I forgot to shut the coop door before bed! Lesson learned!

 

[geebs]

Upright post into the air.... deter them.... They can't land w/o banging thier wings... so they won't try it. I have ones that hover... but they never come down.

 

[SteveH]

The bad experience may stop a second attempt , but I wouldn't count on it . They're protected by federal law ; I sure wouldn't be posting advice on doing anything illegal on a public forum .

 

[dustyw]

Well if he gets stuck in there again, that will be his last time. Maybe I could get him stuffed and hang outside so my unruley rooster will behave.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

lol did you see the post above yours?