Red-winged Blackbirds Hanging with Chickens in Cover Patch

[centrarchid]

I have four raised gardens overgrown with the larger species of ragweed (~12' tall) we have here. It is largely defoliated although the chicken still in there most of day. Six male Red-winged Black Birds are getting down very close to the chickens for much of the day while the latter are loafing. I think the black birds are counting on additional protection provided from Coopers Hawks by the much larger chickens. The chickens are using the cover more as hawks migrating over a lot lately.

 

[centrarchid]

I've had had the inspiration for a long time. Variations in stem density appear important. The ragweed patch appears preferred to what is available elsewhere on the property. Patches of wild plump, brambles, and sumac are also available but this ragweed has something magical about it. It may be possible to get the ornamental types of sunflower to provide a similar structure.

 

[Geena]

There's different species of ragweed. I have giant ragweed that's 10-12 feet tall.
Giant ragweed https://g.co/kgs/nGSp5r

Thank you! I had that growing in my pasture and could not identify it. It started as just a handful of plants and the chickens loved it, so I let it be. Then it spread very rapidly and it had to go. It took me three years of pulling, digging and spraying to finally be rid of that stuff.

Edited to add- Just looked it up and found this "A giant ragweed plant can produce more than 60,000 seeds if allowed to fully mature. "
No wonder it spreads so fast!

 

[Molpet]

Interesting, thanks. Maybe we're in totally different zones. Now you've got me curious if ragweed grows like a monster in different areas.

There's different species of ragweed. I have giant ragweed that's 10-12 feet tall.
Giant ragweed https://g.co/kgs/nGSp5r

 

[centrarchid]

There's different species of ragweed. I have giant ragweed that's 10-12 feet tall.
Giant ragweed https://g.co/kgs/nGSp5r

That's my giant ragweed.

 

[centrarchid]

I left the ragweed for the same reason. Had a red tail crash through, late winter, and attack a black meat mutt hen, about 10lbs. 6ft from the house, I heard and it took off as soon as I got out there. I thought she was dead, but when I grabbed a foot I found she was just in shock. Recovered in crate by next morning.

It is not a perfect fix, but attack rate I bet would be higher without the cover patch. I have had no losses to hawks for some time owing to combination of cover patches and a dog (Honey) that loved to chase raptors. She and Flo are harassing owl now.

 

[centrarchid]

It is not a golden rod. Tallest of that we have approaches 6 feet.

 

[Molpet]

Thank you! I had that growing in my pasture and could not identify it. It started as just a handful of plants and the chickens loved it, so I let it be. Then it spread very rapidly and it had to go. It took me three years of pulling, digging and spraying to finally be rid of that stuff.

Edited to add- Just looked it up and found this "A giant ragweed plant can produce more than 60,000 seeds if allowed to fully mature. "
No wonder it spreads so fast!

And the seeds last forever. Fortunately everything likes to eat the seeds.

 

[centrarchid]

And the seeds last forever. Fortunately everything likes to eat the seeds.

I had lots of finches and sparrows eating the seeds even before the pods open. Last winter I tried to eliminate seed bank for the giant ragweed by penning game chickens over the ground they could easily dig through. Enough seeds got passed 60 days of chicken pressure in enough numbers to establish a monoculture of the ragweed. Each bird had only about 16 square feet to work over so not a lot of area. Either seed were deep, chickens did not recognize them, or the chickens do not like eating them.

 

[Molpet]

I had lots of finches and sparrows eating the seeds even before the pods open. Last winter I tried to eliminate seed bank for the giant ragweed by penning game chickens over the ground they could easily dig through. Enough seeds got passed 60 days of chicken pressure in enough numbers to establish a monoculture of the ragweed. Each bird had only about 16 square feet to work over so not a lot of area. Either seed were deep, chickens did not recognize them, or the chickens do not like eating them.

My chickens jump up and grab the low seeds. I'll bend the stalks over so they can get to the seeds. Chipmunk, cardinal and my turkey love the seeds