raven/crows eating chickens

[chicksurreal]

Wow.

I have to say I'm shocked! We have many Ravens here (dozens) and they have been very helpful in deterring hawks. I've never seen one of them try to hurt our chickens, though they will eat as many eggs as they can manage. I've even given them eggs that are older than I like.

Glad to be made aware that they can be predatory, also glad that I keep them well fed on scraps and old dog food, maybe that keeps them from attacking our chickens. I've wanted to keep them around because of the fact that they chase hawks away.

 

[cheycochyrn]

I recently witnessed 3 ravens working together to hunt a sparrow, in a small tree, that was trying desperately to evade capture. I was walking toward the tree at the time and didn't realize what was happening until they caught it and took it to the roof top to eat. It was awful to watch because if I been closer at the time, I could have done something to chase them off. So it doesn't surprise me to think they could kill a chicken. From what I witnessed, it was an organized effort to catch the sparrow.

 

[chicksurreal]

I recently witnessed 3 ravens working together to hunt a sparrow, in a small tree, that was trying desperately to evade capture. I was walking toward the tree at the time and didn't realize what was happening until they caught it and took it to the roof top to eat. It was awful to watch because if I been closer at the time, I could have done something to chase them off. So it doesn't surprise me to think they could kill a chicken. From what I witnessed, it was an organized effort to catch the sparrow.

They can be quite organized in their efforts, I've seen that. sorry about the sparrow, I've never seen them kill something before.

 

[RedJungleFowl]

If you u go on youtube and type in crow vs pigeon it will pop up video of crow killing pigeon if any of ya want to see it kill a bird to show that they are a threatish to small chickens.

 

[chicksurreal]

My understanding is that crows and ravens are two different species. We have ravens here in large numbers and I've never seen them be aggressive to any animals besides hawks. They chase them off regularly. I need to do some more research here. Lol!

 

[minnehaha]

My understanding is that crows and ravens are two different species. We have ravens here in large numbers and I've never seen them be aggressive to any animals besides hawks. They chase them off regularly. I need to do some more research here. Lol!

Yes, me too. I've come to really appreciate the crows..or are they ravens(?) around my property. I have so many hawks, but they can never get near my chickens due to the crows/ravens tag team chasing them away.

In fact, I've been telling my husband about it for some time, then finally a couple of days ago he witnessed a hawk swoop down after our chickens, but the crows were on it immediately and chased the hawk into the nest county. My husband was so excited and thrilled to have finally witnessed the chicken guardians in action!

I do feed old eggs to them and give them corn....but, I do not let young pullets out with the flock until they are bigger. I understand they will eat chicks. I have one banty who is so very tiny, I hope she doesn't get eaten.

Now I feel the need to research as well, and figure out whether i have crows or Ravens.

OP....sorry for your loss

 

[minnehaha]

Mine are Ravens, they are as big as the hawks, my husband helped confirm it. I've never seen them kill either. I guess I should keep a closer eye on their activities. Who knew that Fat Louie, Guido, The wrench, Bugsy, Scar Face, Vinny the chin, and the rest of the gang would be involved in murder. I thought they were just on the take....and in return, offered protection....

 

[chicksurreal]

Mine are Ravens, they are as big as the hawks, my husband helped confirm it. I've never seen them kill either. I guess I should keep a closer eye on their activities. Who knew that Fat Louie, Guido, The wrench, Bugsy, Scar Face, Vinny the chin, and the rest of the gang would be involved in murder. I thought they were just on the take....and in return, offered protection....

Lol!

Love the names, we've named ours too. Although we went the easy route with Edgar Allen Poe characters.

The ones around here are huge! I'm sure it has nothing to do with the eggs, dog food, scraps, etc. that they routinely get here.

 

[chicksurreal]

Yes, me too. I've come to really appreciate the crows..or are they ravens(?) around my property. I have so many hawks, but they can never get near my chickens due to the crows/ravens tag team chasing them away.

In fact, I've been telling my husband about it for some time, then finally a couple of days ago he witnessed a hawk swoop down after our chickens, but the crows were on it immediately and chased the hawk into the nest county. My husband was so excited and thrilled to have finally witnessed the chicken guardians in action!

I do feed old eggs to them and give them corn....but, I do not let young pullets out with the flock until they are bigger. I understand they will eat chicks. I have one banty who is so very tiny, I hope she doesn't get eaten.

Now I feel the need to research as well, and figure out whether i have crows or Ravens.

OP....sorry for your loss

Ours are definitely ravens, and I absolutely love them. They are so familiar with me now that they'll sit out on the fence and call for me when they want food. Then they just sit there and wait for me to come and bring it to them. Lol!

I don't think I'll ever be brave enough to feed them out of hand, those beaks are gigantic! We feed them all sorts of things, they'll take eggs and fly off with them, the first time I saw that I couldn't believe it, really cool!

 

[minnehaha]

Ours are definitely ravens, and I absolutely love them. They are so familiar with me now that they'll sit out on the fence and call for me when they want food. Then they just sit there and wait for me to come and bring it to them. Lol!

I don't think I'll ever be brave enough to feed them out of hand, those beaks are gigantic! We feed them all sorts of things, they'll take eggs and fly off with them, the first time I saw that I couldn't believe it, really cool!

Yep, mine are also Ravens, it is confirmed, and I love them too. I'm hoping to develop a closer relationship with them like you have, but we are not there yet. They do love the egg offerings, and can carry them away without a problem, they can even take the gigantic duck eggs without a problem! I have 2 young pullets that are ready for flock integration but I need to wait a month due to their size, a raven could take them without a problem!

It is very exciting to watch them work over a hawk and chase them out of the county, I love watching those events!!!

OP, do you have an extra large raven population around you? And maybe a food shortage for a large number? I wonder if a large population and need for food made them go after your chickens? I only have around 10 ravens around me.