Author Topic: Puzzling chicken predator : not a fox (Warning: carcass pics) (Read 12715 times)

lord flynn · « **Reply #30 on:** September 23, 2014, 07:47:35 pm »

nice run! I'd get some bird/pond netting to go over the top-have just bought a load cheap from eBay. you can fix it on using cable ties-job done. I have to cover my growers pens with it here and will be keeping the grown ups pens covered in it this winter-discourage the starlings a bit I hope.

MKay · « **Reply #31 on:** October 03, 2014, 07:27:33 pm »

How have you got on?

Looks like an owl or an escaped falconers bird, Eagle owl or Gos hawk. If ou can spot it, see if it has jessies on its ankles, ifor does its not a wild BoP so you can legally catch it.

lord flynn · « **Reply #32 on:** October 03, 2014, 07:50:59 pm »

the last few days I've become aware of what I thought was a very large sparrow hawk around my paddock-we have a lot of young starlings atm after chicken feed. Now I'm thinking goshawk which is not a bird I'm familiar with. I will keep young birds covered I think. I did have a hen harrier visit last year but I've not seen him since.

goosepimple · « **Reply #33 on:** October 04, 2014, 08:07:10 pm »

Herons would do this.

Steph Hen · « **Reply #34 on:** October 05, 2014, 09:25:51 am »

Quote from: goosepimple on October 04, 2014, 08:07:10 pm

Herons would do this.

I wouldn't think a big bird like a heron would go through the string though?

Louise Gaunt · « **Reply #35 on:** October 05, 2014, 09:41:22 am »

I have had problems sigh buzzards killing my hens. We have a large enclosed area for the hens, and to combat attack we have bamboo poles spaced across in rows, with a lattice of strings with of CDs attached to prevent swooping. It seems to work as there have been no attacks since we installed the poles last summer.

ella01 · « **Reply #36 on:** October 08, 2014, 04:55:49 pm »

I had a full grown frizzle bantam disappear yesterday. They have an totally enclosed run but are free range in the afternoons. She never leaves her friend's side and they never wander more than a few yards
Earlier I saw two magpies making a fearful noise in one of the trees near the run.
There are no sign of carcase or feathers.
In past years I have had magpies take small chicks but would one take a full grown pekin bantam?
Earlier in season I lost a 6 week old chick but there were feathers left.
Other suspects are the buzzards or rats?
It's a puzzle. What does one do.... keep them in the run at all times?

Porterlauren · « **Reply #37 on:** October 09, 2014, 11:44:36 pm »

Magpies usually make a fearful noise when a predator is around, such as a fox.

Buzzards WILL take fairly large birds, i've seen then kill plenty of pheasant poults and immature birds over the years.

Goshawks are bastards for anything really.