Vultures

[tomstephens]

Anyone ever had any issues with Vultures? We have a family right next to our house. We'eve never had any problems with them. However they had two babies this spring who are now out and about. The adolescents have been sitting on a tree very close to the chickens and today one of them swooped close, kind of menacing but didn't actually do anything.

Should I take action on these or just let them be?

 

[bluey]

Vultures feed exclusively on dead animals. Your flock should be safe. Many aerial predators, including vultures are protected, so shooting them shouldn't be an option.

 

[greyfields]

They're probably just looking to eat the eggs. I notice I have crows fly into my chicken coop now and leave with eggs. The vultures will come in and steal the eggs from the crows.

 

[tomstephens]

Around here black vultures have no protection so I'm allowed to shoot as needed, already checked with a local game warden. However that would be a last last resort.

Vultures have been known to attack live animals if they are short on food. I'll just keep my eyes on them. Our head rooster doesn't seem to mind them though so that probably means they aren't a threat.