raven watching adult chickens, should we worry?

[socks]

Hi, a big raven has taken to sitting on a branch near our outdoor pen. My husband has been concerned. I thought they would only attack chicks and we don't have any right now. Then I read a post here about a rooster getting an eye injury from a raven attack but haven't seen any other mention of ravens and adult chickens.

Just lately a hawk or something killed a sweet little hen the neighbors had. She was all alone but there are 8 of my chickens including a rooster.

The raven has no nest nearby so I don't think that is the issue and we keep the chickens inside until they've layed their eggs so I don't think that is the attraction.


I was going to put up c.d.s around the pen just to keep our chickens from jumping out but now I am thinking that might attract ravens. My husband has crisscrossed some fishing line (not very visible) over the run---should we make it more visible?

Your thoughts would be appreciated.


thanks

 

[chickenboy190]

This is what I think. I don't really think it would bother them. Probably just curious. We have turkey vultures and they sometimes look at my chickens but have never hurt them.

 

[chfite]

We live in the wrong part of the country for ravens, but the crows abound here. The serve as lookout for hawks and harass them.

I would not worry, but would agree that chicks might be at risk in the first 12 or so weeks when they are so small.

I used line over my run, but chose the colored nylon sort that could be seen to dissuade a hawk from flying into the run.

A raven seems to be more of a forager, so I would think that mature chickens might no be of interest.

Chris

 

[DesertChickens1]

I love the raven that hangs out by our coop. He just chills out in the tree, best part, he chases the hawks away. I've never had a raven kill a chicken, they're more known as scavengers.