Turkey Vultures

[Lmoreau70]

The past few days I have seen a few of them hanging around. This morning I walked down to the garden and I counted at least 10 of them that flew out of a tree when I got close. Will they eat my chickens? I always thought buzzards only ate dead things but they are making me really uneasy!

 

[Habibs Hens]

vultures are nomally scavnegers once dead already

not heard of any opertunistics vultures

i would stay carefull just in case


also its possible there is a dead carcus around somewhere that has drawn them to your neck of the woods



btw buzzards are not scavengers, they are perdators

 

[Lmoreau70]

Up in our neck of the woods we always called them buzzards. I guess I thought they were the same? I guess I better chase them all back into the run to be safe. Glad I invested in that aviary netting now.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_Vulture

 

[geoff40]

They've been around for a few days already, and no attack on your flock. There is your answer. If your encounter was early in the morning, before the day warmed up, you likely pushed them off their roost from the night before.

 

[Habibs Hens]

Up in our neck of the woods we always called them buzzards. I guess I thought they were the same? I guess I better chase them all back into the run to be safe. Glad I invested in that aviary netting now.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_Vulture

the joy of american and british english variations

we call this a buzzard



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Buzzard

 

[emsdial911]

Be careful how you deal with Turkey Buzzards and Birds of Prey, In most states it is Illegal to shoot or harm them. Check with your local or state DNR.

 

[bobbi-j]

The past few days I have seen a few of them hanging around. This morning I walked down to the garden and I counted at least 10 of them that flew out of a tree when I got close. Will they eat my chickens? I always thought buzzards only ate dead things but they are making me really uneasy!

Only if they're already dead... We have buzzards (Turkey Vultures) that roost in our grove. My chickens free range. I've never had a problem with them.

 

[devora]

Only if they're already dead... We have buzzards (Turkey Vultures) that roost in our grove. My chickens free range. I've never had a problem with them.

Exactly. Unless, apparently, you live in Britain?! Who knew!