owls killing my chickens and eating the head

[scubadave]

What can I do about owls killing my chickens and eating the head

 

[mommissan]

So sorry about losing your babies. All I can think of is to lock them up at night. Maybe cover the top of your run with monofilament or wire fence (assuming you have an enclosed run). I know that our local Barred Owls are active during the day also. They've stalked my 65# dog too during daytime hikes in the woods. Some just have no concept of how big their targets are and just eat what they can carry.

Welcome to BYC. Folks are super helpful here. Good luck!

 

[1muttsfan]

Scubadave, have you seen the owls actually taking your chickens? Weasels ar well known for nighttime predation, and often remove the heads.

 

[ODEY587]

are you sure its owls and not a weasel?

 

[mommissan]

In scubadave's defense, I witnessed Great Horned owls rip the heads off Canada Geese goslings in a barnyard. If they are hungry, they eat.

 

[centrarchid]

I am having owl issues as well with free-ranging birds that roost on top of designated roosts. Two owl species, great horned and barred, have come calling during the this production season. They do not come at same time since great horned will prey upon the smaller more gracile barred. Both have habit of knocking / pushing / driving chickens off unprotected roosts with latter falling to ground. With smaller chickens (< 1.25 lbs) they simply catch the bird and fly with it. Great horned can handle larger in flight but not full sized standard birds. Larger appear to be dispatched only while on ground. My dog detects ruckus and checks on situation driving owl off. Dog stops loss of bigger birds. Smaller birds can either be locked up as previously mentioned or directed to roost in locations where owl can approach chickens from below only. My owls seem unable to catch chickens from below. The owls do like to eat the heads off like other predators do. My owls are very consistent in respect to what time they visit each night.

Owls themselves might be tasty.

 

[coonhoundmama87]

Great horned owls always rip the head off first from wht I've seen and been told.

 

[bobbi-j]

Had a friend who raised ducks. They witnessed Great Horned Owls popping the heads off their unprotected ducks at night. Find a place indoors for your chickens to roost at night and keep them locked up. Another friend had an owl fly into her barn one night while she was in there....

 

[sharonkaypad]

I need help wit how to a owl in my back yard it is killing ducks and chickens please help me I need help.


Thank You
Sharon Padgett

 

[centrarchid]

Pen your birds up. It already penned then setup so pen is like a double boiler with and outer perimeter set simply to keep owl more than a foot from actual pen. It that is not an option then break the owls line of site with a tarp or even a blanket. You can likely get away for one night using a bright light if owl is not accustomed to it. Another option is to tie dog out near roosting birds.


Show picture of your setup pronto.