Probably owl problem

[mjsjr]

I have been losing chickens a a fairly consistent clip now for the past few weeks (maybe 2-4/week). I am beginning to suspect an owl.

I have a mixed age/breed flock - some young, some older birds. I let them out in the morning. I can keep tabs on them during the day pretty well. They coop themselves in the evening. It is then that I find one missing. 10-15 feet off of the coops, in the tall grass I find a feather 'splat'. Feathers from the missing bird are all laid out on the ground in a ring. There is no carcass. So far, it has also been the young birds. I have heavy breeds and the big hens don't seem to be affected - it is the 18-26 week old birds that are getting hit.

My thinking is that an owl is getting them as they return to the return to the coop and before I get there in the evening.

I would appreciate any input/observations on :

a. if my diagnosis is correct or what else it might be (we are very rural on 16 acres)
b . Solutions!

thanks

Mike

 

[iwiw60]

Solutions? Either shoot the owl or don't allow your girls to free-range...

 

[Ridgerunner]

It could be an owl, hawk, or eagle, but it doesn't sound just right for a hawk or owl. It just feels too consistent. They normally take the head off first and you often get more evidence. Still it's a definite possibility.

A fox is the first thing that comes to mind. They will attack any time of the day or night but are more active at dusk and dawn. Leaving nothing but feathers is a trademark of theirs. Some people experience multiple deaths from a fox attack but I've just had one picked off at a time. A coyote could also fit this pattern.

My second thought is a bobcat. Again they will attack any time day or night, will leave feathers, and usually carry off the carcass to bury it for a later meal.

Solution is hard until you figure out exactly what it is. If you can lock hem up earlier. Often easier said than done. Look for tracks or poop. Both can identify your predator. If they hang around long enough to strip feathers they may poop and scat is pretty good at identifying what it is. If the area is consistent enough, you might clear some ground so they can leave tracks or maybe spread flour which might leave prints if they get it on their feet.

Birds of prey, coyotes, foxes, and bobcats are all hard to deal with. Good luck!

 

[ChickInDelight]

I hear one or two owls CONSTANTLY... yet I have never seen one. I am rather rural, so perhaps we have enough mice and small birds. I have also seen a bald eagle and plenty of hawks. So far, no one has taken a shot at my free-rangers.

 

[roosterhavoc]

Most likely a fox. They are maddening

 

[Biologrady]

Sounds like a job for a camera, since they seem to be getting attacked in the same area?

 

[MeepBeep]

Solutions? Either shoot the owl or don't allow your girls to free-range...

Unless you really brown nose to get a permit to kill after exhausting non-lethal methods, you would be committing a federal (and likely state) crime, and although your chickens might be able to free range you might very well find yourself in a cage after the act...

 

[iwiw60]

Unless you really brown nose to get a permit to kill after exhausting non-lethal methods, you would be committing a federal (and likely state) crime, and although your chickens might be able to free range you might very well find yourself in a cage after the act...

S - S - S

Shoot - Shovel - Shut Up

 

[soydo]

If it's a neat ring of feathers that is what I have seen with observed hawk kills. It's from them standing on the bird and plucking the bird and that makes a ring around the victim. They didn't try to remove the head or neck, just started pulling feathers off first. Also the witnessed hawk kills I discovered well after the bird has been dead and partially consumed most had their heads still on but with the rib cage and bones exposed. One did have the head already missing though.

Observed as in went outside in the yard and suddenly saw the hawk standing over the carcass.. of course I freaked out and ran after the ^%&**%

 

[MeepBeep]

S - S - S

Shoot - Shovel - Shut Up

Sure same could be said for any criminal activity, I prefer not to risk being a convict or ex-felon over a few dead chickens, just not worth the hassle or risk to me personally...