Protected Crested Breeds from Birds?

[jayde88]

Hello,
Around our house, we have a big raven problem. They are all around.
We got a package from a hatchery and over half are crested. They have huge crests that cover their eyes and don't seem to notice people or preditors unless they are very close or making lots of noise.
Right now they're about 9 weeks old and under aviary netting, but this autumn we will be taking the chicks into the main coop when they are big enough. The main coop is not covered by netting and has a big yard, and it wouldn't be possible to cover the whole thing with netting.
Can you clip their crests or something to make them see better? Is their some way to keep the birds away? I've heard of metalic repeller ribbon, but would it work on ravens? I've read they like shiny objects...

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Judy]

Yes, you can certainly trim the crests so they can see better. Probably some threads about doing this here, maybe under Managing Your Flock. I don't know that ravens are a problem for full size birds; perhaps, but don't recall reading that. Birds of prey certainly can be, though.

 

[jayde88]

Quote:
Thanks, Ddawn! I didn't know if you could trim crests. Yes, there are some helpful threads here about it, thanks for telling me!
I'm not sure about raven meal sizes either, hopefully they are too big for them, but I don't want to find out otherwise the hard way... They are lighter breeds and we've had some mysteriously dissapear before.
Thanks again!