ChickenCrazy00
In the Brooder
- Nov 23, 2016
- 11
- 4
- 37
Since the arrival of migrating eagles in our state, our flock has been stalked. A few day ago, one of our hens went missing. We saw clumps of down in large circular shapes out in the open and decided it had to be an aerial predator, for a variety of reasons:
1. If it were a coyote, coon, fox or any other normal predator, we would see blood and feathers in more of a line, not large clumps far apart. (At least, to my reasoning.)
2. We have never had problems with hawks; they stay far away from our house,and they prefer rabbits and mice which do not live very close to us, due to the presence of dogs and cats. Eagles have been seen closer to the farm, in fact we saw them circling very close to the coop a few days after the attack.
3. Eagles are known for attacking other birds, especially when hungry, and have no qualms about doing it in the presence of humans (even though we were not present when the hen was killed)
Am I correct in assuming this was an eagle, or at least a bird of prey?
If it is an eagle trying to make a snack of our flock, is there a way they could be deterred?
Since eagles are protected, I can't think of any way to stop them without harming them. I don't want anymore our our chickens to be killed! Help!
1. If it were a coyote, coon, fox or any other normal predator, we would see blood and feathers in more of a line, not large clumps far apart. (At least, to my reasoning.)
2. We have never had problems with hawks; they stay far away from our house,and they prefer rabbits and mice which do not live very close to us, due to the presence of dogs and cats. Eagles have been seen closer to the farm, in fact we saw them circling very close to the coop a few days after the attack.
3. Eagles are known for attacking other birds, especially when hungry, and have no qualms about doing it in the presence of humans (even though we were not present when the hen was killed)
Am I correct in assuming this was an eagle, or at least a bird of prey?
If it is an eagle trying to make a snack of our flock, is there a way they could be deterred?
Since eagles are protected, I can't think of any way to stop them without harming them. I don't want anymore our our chickens to be killed! Help!