Author Topic: Owl attacking Hens up tree (Read 2814 times)

tobytoby · « **on:** May 07, 2012, 09:28:13 am »

On Saturday i moved the hen house down the woods another 50m, on Saturday night we were having a party and i didn't go out until 10.30 to lock up the hens. The hens for some reason decided not to go into the house - some were gathered round the base of trees and 5 were roosting up a tree.
I happened to look up at them, just as an owl?? swooped down to try and grab one of the hens up the tree? I assumed it was a Barn owl because the underside of the wings looked very pale/white - but it looked much bigger than a barn owl - any ideas?
I managed to get them all away except 2 who wouldn't come out of the tree, but they were down ok by dawn.
I did loose one at some point on Saturday - but was it an owl??

bigchicken · « **Reply #1 on:** May 07, 2012, 05:59:35 pm »

Firstly what kind of chickens are they looking for there size. Could be a few types of owl would not think a barn owl would take an adult bird. An eagle owl is fairly big and would take a chicken How big was it. Have you moved the chicken house nearer to the owls nest maybe.

tobytoby · « **Reply #2 on:** May 08, 2012, 08:39:42 am »

Big Chicken - They are ISA Browns and RIR and are about 18 weeks old. It certainly looked bigger than a Barn owl. There is no nests in the woods that i keep the hens. We have lost one bird this week, but as there is no feathers around and i had the siting of the owl - the Owl is being blamed for my loss?

HelenVF · « **Reply #3 on:** May 08, 2012, 08:01:53 pm »

We have chickens roosting in a tree and also have tawny owls. Never had a problem at all. What colour was the owl? Have you heard any owls about? What was the call like?

Helen

tobytoby · « **Reply #4 on:** May 09, 2012, 12:44:18 pm »

Helen,
It had light under wings about the same colour as a barn owl, but wingspan looked a lot bigger. We have various owl noises around us mostly hoots and screeching?

Roxy · « **Reply #5 on:** May 09, 2012, 12:49:36 pm »

We have many varieties of owls here, but never had a problem with them among my hens ....although if they are feeding chicks, then maybe. To be honest, hens that size I would not think they would touch. Last year we kept losing our half grown chicks, and one day found a young buzzard in the lane, having fallen out of a tree. We then realised the mother had been taking the chicks for her young - easy pickings!! The little Buzzard we took to the owl sanctuary up the road, for them to care for.

goosepimple · « **Reply #6 on:** May 09, 2012, 01:03:47 pm »

Wow, we've had hens roosting in trees for years and never even thought of this one, thought they were perfectly safe up there (certainly better than in a house anyway). Teradactyl?