owls and chickens

[tryingmyluck]

i agree with you shoot it but heres the problem with that i belive an owl is federaly protected animal and here in FL you shoot any kind of animal inculdeing dogs they will lock you up and you wont see a jail cell they will bury you underteath the jail you have a better chance on shooting a person then an animal i know the old saying dont get caught lol but i got the type of neighbors that can tell you what you did last nite and after talking to different neighbors that owl has been around here way before me so if any hting happens to that owl im the frist they are going to blame i am keeping them lock up at night and letting them out during the day. unfortantly thats the best i can do with them outside of keeping them pinned 24/7 and that aint going to work they dont like being pinned in the coop overnight i am in rual area so i do have space but im new kid on the block and my neigbors have nothing better to do but watch me and see what im doing all the time

 

[welasharon]

I believe it is illegal to shoot owls. Even if you shot it you cannot prevent another taking its place. All you can do is arrange your chicken environment the best you can to protect them. I have an owl that comes occasionally to check out my chickens. I lock them in at night and during the day they free range in a picket fence enclosure. The smaller birds never free range. THey are in enclosures that keep them safe.

 

[Michael OShay]

Owls can be shot under some circumstances. There is an entire thread devoted to this issue at https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/113482/legal-elimination-of-hawks-and-owls. However, it seems to me that the simple solution is to keep your chickens in enclosed runs, at least early in the morning and late in the evening, when the sun is low and a diurnal attack is more likely to happen.

 

[gander007]

 

[drumstick diva]

I'm wondering if you put a helium balloon on the branch where he usually sits - if it would shoo him away. Maybe you could draw big eyes on it and it would move with the breeze. If he accidentally clawed it I think the noise would drive him away from the tree.

Of course your great neighbors would be sure to notice. - Maybe a kids balloon escaped and got stuck in your tree? You aren't the only ones with nosey neighbors who are so bored with their life, they have to trespass in everyone else's. Sorry.