Timber owls... a danger in daylight?!?

[Tdub4chiks]

mmaddie's mom :

Quote:
I'm thinking that this is it! Beautiful all right!

It scares me that yours was an early afternoon visitor! I'll have to keep my eyes open!

Thanks.

What scares me, is it was not scared of the dog barking at it. He's not a small dog either...lol​

 

[Pet Duck Boy]

The barred owl I saw the other week was quite "tame" too. I was standing 5 feet away from it, it paid no attention. My 40 pound dog was growling and snarling just yards away - it didn't flinch. From what I've heard, barred owls DO hunt during the day. Not just in the mornings and evenings.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I would definately shorten their free range day, to avoid the peak hunting times. It's always a safe bet to confine chickens to their run for a few days, if you have unusual daytime predator activity.

I've never had an owl attack our chickens. They haven't hunted in our yard during the day. I never see any of the owls here. I do hear the great horned owls calling at night during mating season, though. One night, one of them called from the tree right next to the patio when we were out there, listening. A moment later it was farther away and we never heard even the slightest sound as it flew out of the tree and across the yard. They really are a silent killer.

Most of the owl attacks I hear about are on chickens roosting in trees or in open pens at night. Or dawn/dusk attacks. I think daytime attacks are really rare. That doesn't help if it's one of yours, though.

 

[MMPoultryFarms]

Owls threats are minimal from sun up to sundown, however they will hunt at the break of dawn if they didnt find a suitable meal for dinner. When the sun just starts to climb the horizon, and Just as the sun sets in the western sky I see owls all the time. But there most active at night. Just be thankful there not GHO not only are these guys nasty but they live in pairs and hunt tactically.

 

[lleighmay]

We have an assortment of owls around here including barred, great horned, barn, and screech owls. I hear them all the time at night and see them hunting at dusk or dawn. I have noticed that the barred owls will also hunt on overcast days, especially winter afternoons. Since days are getting shorter and prey will be getting more scarce I agree with others that I would limit my free range time and lock them up a little earlier in the afternoon.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

What scares me, is it was not scared of the dog barking at it

An owl has no reason to fear a dog
They can't fly or climb, so all they can do is make noise​

 

[Mac in Wisco]

I'd think that the only owl of concern to fully grown chickens would be the Great Horned Owl. We've lost a few hens to owl attacks very late in the evening or if a stray hen happens to get left out at night.

Chasing them off does nothing to deter them. It's like trying to chase pigeons out of the barn. They leave for a little bit and then come right back.

 

[mmaddie's mom]

didn't let anyone out until after 1pm... have alarm set for 4pm to put in. i have a workman rebuilding our front porch, so there is a human presence and noise/hammering and I keep going out in the back yard as much as i can. if they come back tonight i will try to get a better look at them. They should have plenty of rodents out in the fields, the corn and beans are all gone... but I guess a tender young chicken always sounds good. didn't let my tiniest ones out at all.

thanks all!

 

[cgmccary]

If a BARRED OWL, then not a danger to your chickens. I've had them living in the trees practically above the run, and they not bother the chickens (chickens on an open roost at night too!). I understand they may act differently in other parts of the country, but just my experience. A Barred Owl sounds like, "WHO COOK FOR YOU/ WHO COOKS FOR YOU ALL." No ear tufts on Barred Owl.

A GREAT HORNED OWL is always a threat to any poultry. It generally makes makes a WHOO, WHOO sound. It is larger and appears EARED.

 

[mmaddie's mom]

Quote:
Ok, now I am scared! Since we didn't get a good look at details, just size, I am now going by your description of their call... it was definately "WHOO WHOOO"!

Everyone is going in early tonight! And if they come back, I'll try to get a spotlight on them and have a good look.