These guys are in my barn...where I'm gonna put my coop :-(

[kuntrygirl]

They are the most ugliest, cutest birds ever!

 

[Melissakins]

I just have to say that is the coolest thing!

 

[CrazyWestTexasFarmGirl]

Once, one of the babies fell out of the nest at our place and was running around on the ground, and my brother happend to be outside and saw what looked like a small fuzzy upright gnome-person darting around. It was an owlet, but it scared him to death before he figured out what it was! lol

ok I almost spit my Big Red out my nose and peed my pants when i read this... the mental picture... ROFL.... *snort* *cough*

smally fuzzy upright gnome person.... after looking at those pics..................​

 

[txchickie]

We have little owls all over around here, I think they're called burrowing owls. They plant themselves on a fencepost and STAY until dark!

They have never, ever tried to hurt my chickens and I have 40+ little bantams running around everywhere.

 

[hilareee]

check this out!
http://www.ustream.tv/theowlbox

 

[teapot10]

Quote:
fancbrd - I would never harm them, and to be honest, their hissing noise scares me to death so no touching or harassing either...lol...I just wanted to know if they were a threat to my chicks...the chicks will be inside for another 4-6 weeks anyway, not in the barn, so I'm hoping the owls will have moved on by then

The owls should be gone by the time your chicks are old enough to be put out. It's amazing how fast owlets grow up! Sourland is right about them eating rodents. By the way, have you seen the mother? They are a relatively small owl, too. My barn owl is smaller than most of my hens! Once, one of the babies fell out of the nest at our place and was running around on the ground, and my brother happend to be outside and saw what looked like a small fuzzy upright gnome-person darting around. It was an owlet, but it scared him to death before he figured out what it was! lol

fancbrd - I have not seen the mother yet, although I'm sure she's around...I'm hoping so at least...orphaned owlets would not be a good thing...one of my 7 kids would surely want to "rescue" them...lol

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

I have a barn and I can hear owls almost every night in the woods...oh what I wouldn't give to get them to nest in the barn and keep down the mice and snakes that like to move around....although I don't want any that ugly. if anyone knows how to attract them let me know.

 

[Stonerowfarm]

Beneficial or not, I think if I saw this in my barn I would freak beyond belief and probably let them have it.

 

[rancher hicks]

Man o' man, and I thought my mother in law was ugly. They make her look good.
They definitly have to go or you'll be feeding them chicken dinners.

 

[Pet Duck Boy]

Quote:
Uhhh, no. Barn owls are small owls...less than 2 feet tall. And weigh just about a pound. Making it very hard for a full grown barn owl to kill a chicken over 3 pounds. Second of all, barn owls DO NOT prefer to feed on birds. Though a starving one might (and will only target a small chick, if at all). The main prey for barn owls are small rodents/mammls. Mice, small rats, baby rabbits, gophers, any small mammal. Not to mention these are protected, and very beneficial.