Persistent Owl

[BravoCluckhouse]

Due to an incredibly awful mistake on my part, an owl was able to get into our coop the other morning and killed one of our chickens.

It has come back the past two nights and has spent a considerable amount of time sitting outside of the coop waiting.

Based on any of your experiences, is this the kind of thing that we just need to wait out for a week or so or will it continue to stalk the coop long-term?

 

[azurbanclucker]

It will give up eventually, but you're going to have to keep an eye out for it. Do you let you chickens out of the coop or are they inside full time? A protected run would help keep it from camping right at the coop door and give your flock some outside cover. A motion activated sprinkler might also help convince it to go away.

 

[BravoCluckhouse]

It will give up eventually, but you're going to have to keep an eye out for it. Do you let you chickens out of the coop or are they inside full time? A protected run would help keep it from camping right at the coop door and give your flock some outside cover. A motion activated sprinkler might also help convince it to go away.

We’ve got them free-ranging during the day. Plenty of tree/bush/brush cover and they spend most of their time in those protected spaces.

We’ve got plans to build out a covered range and this experience will certainly expedite things.

Good call on the motion-activated sprinkler - we’ll look into it! We have a motion-activated light out there now and are hoping that helps!

 

[SamLockwood]

While you're not allowed to injure them or destroy their nests, you are allowed to annoy and harrass them. The motion activated sprinker isn't a bad idea. I always have an air-horn ready if they decide to lurk around while I'm outside (assuming my birds haven't run them off).

I'd keep them inside as much as possible for at least a week: it will hang around until it decides there's easier prey elsewhere.

 

[StinkyAcres]

you are allowed to annoy and harrass them.

I think "deter" might be a better word. Harassing protected birds is illegal.

 

[azurbanclucker]

I think "deter" might be a better word. Harassing protected birds is illegal.

Well said