Rats! A Bald Eagle is scoping out my girls!

[AngieChick]

It may be time to invest in a covered run, if you don't already have one. It's a pain, but it would work. On the bright side, with the eagle around you won't have a rodent issue anymore.

 

[wilds of pa]

North America is by far their greatest stronghold for bald eagles. They flourish here in part because of the salmon. Dead or dying fish are an important food source for all bald eagles.
Eagles are a member of the Accipitridae family, which also includes hawks, kites, and old-world vultures.
Scientists loosely divide eagles into four groups based on their physical characteristics and behavior. The bald eagle is a sea or fish eagle.

More here
http://www.baldeagleinfo.com/index.html

http://www.greatseal.com/symbols/turkey.html

Charlie

 

[NurseELB]

Quote:

Thank you, I so needed that!

Thanks, everyone for the wonderful information and advice you have provided. The last couple days DH and I have been out with the dogs, but I have to admit I've left the girls out unattended some. Haven't seen the "big bird", but not for a lack of searching. My guess is that was the first day that it was here, and JoJo scared it off (for now). I figure it's on its regular circuit and have no doubt it'll be back at some point.

As far as the girls go, I think a permanent structure is in order. I'm already planning on a greenhouse, maybe add a coop to the side now. Something large enough to keep them in when I need to. (Oooh, large enough and I could look into a couple more birds... been dreaming of a few more day old chicks

)

 

[Eastins Eggs]

It may be time to SSS.

 

[AngieChick]

Quote:
I think the OP had something a bit more legal in mind.

OP- I think a nice big structure would be the perfect permanent plan. Of course that includes more chicks, that's a given!

I'm glad you haven't had more trouble from the eagle.

 

[cmom]

I had some bald eagles scoping out my birds. I covered my run but they still have run of the yard. Actually they caught a rabbit. I did get some pictures. There is one on my BYC Page.

 

[Imp]

Eagles do take dogs. I grew up in Alaska and every year we would hear a story of sightseeing retirees letting their lap dogs out. They would get snatched by an eagle. Eyewitnesses would say that the poor dogs were screaming for several minutes, before they died.
Be careful if you have a little dog.
Once one went after a 2 year old girl, the parents were able to chase it off. Everyone assumed it didn't realize how large a two year old was. (Looking down- just saw the top of the head)
A couple years ago I had an eagle sit in a neighbors tree watching my yard. The crows took care of it after a few minutes. I don't think its ever came back. I hope I have enough trees and brush to provide sanctuary for them.
Also if you want to see eagles go to a landfill, that's where we used to take houseguests.
Imp

 

[breezy]

I am a professional dog groomer. One of my clients lost her 10 pound schnauzer to a great horned owl. She saw the bird take her dog from her kitchen window. I would think that if a large owl could take a small dog a much larger eagle would certainly be a serious threat .

 

[chookchick]

That is why I don't free-range my chickens!

We have several bald eagles around here, and I have heard of them taking up small dogs. (Not my neighbor's doxies, though, dang). They are magnificent birds, and I would never do anything to scare them off, besides my neighbors would hate me! I consider it a price I have to pay to watch the wildlife and live in such a beautiful area.
There are also lots of coons, free-running dogs, and some coyotes here in Olympia. Unfortunately starting to get rats.
BTW, I had a client who kept her chickens in a dog run, and the neighbor watched a hawk pull the last chicken through the chain-link wire--I think she gave up after that.