The Poultry Keeper

Nisi · Joined: 09 Sep 2005 Posts: 164 Location: Yorkshire

We took our hens for their daily forage in the woods today. OH was looking for evidence of where the owls that we hear, are living. He made a hooting noise and was surprised to see the hens panic and run for cover under a hedge. After they had been back out for a while there was a small shrieking noise (there was a local pheasant shoot going on quite near) which they must have identified as being an owl. They ran for cover again and hid until I coaxed them out.
Sorry if this is rather long-winded but are owls (Tawny) a predator of chickens? I can understand that they would take chicks but I was very surprised of the fear the hens showed. I have been planning to get an electric fence but it would be no use against owls.
Shocked

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

I am not sure about the owls you have, but I have a pair of nesting barn owls somewhere near by. They greet me in the evenings when I go out to close up the barn and check on everyone for the last time at night. They will swoop down out of the tree and glide silently infront of me, letting me know that they are there. Kinda cool. They have never hurt one of my adult birds, but I am sure that they wouldn't think twice about taking a chick.

fenwoman · Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2005 12:38 am Post subject:

The tawny owl is strictly nocturnal and its prey is frogs, small mammals, worms,moths and small birds. I doubt very much that your chickens would be prey especially as they would be shut away at night which is when the tawny owl hunts.
it only wighs around a pound so a chicken weighing several times it's own wight would not be prey.

Owls here in the UK don't prey on anything as large as a chicken and most don't hoot either Smile

Check hear to hear all the owl calls
http://www.barnowl.co.uk/interact/owlsounds/index.asp

Look here for more info on owls.
http://www.the-owl-barn.com/bbop/owls.html

Nisi · Joined: 09 Sep 2005 Posts: 164 Location: Yorkshire

Thanks for the links Fenwoman. Our owls are definitely the Tawny Owls with the traditional tu whit, tu whoo sound. I am surprised that they weigh so little but it is good news for the hens !
I still think it was amazing to see how terrified the girls were. Obviously a very strong survival instinct.
Deb, your barn owls sound wonderful although it must make you jump as you can't hear them coming !

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

No, you can't hear them coming...but I have learned to expect them now. And if I don't see them...I stop and look for them. Sometimes they will call to me from an adjoining field, so I answer back and they go on with their hunting. Last year they even introduced me to their fledgling. That was cool.

fenwoman · Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2005 8:01 pm Post subject:

luvmychix · Joined: 26 Jan 2006 Posts: 5

We have had owls snatch large roosters right out of the trees at night and fly off with them in their claws. Racoons too!!!
Dang it!!!

fenwoman · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2006 11:15 pm Post subject:

I don't think any of our native owls would be able to lift a chicken let alone fly off with it. Their prey is usually things like mice and small baby rats and the like.

1 Chicken Smuggler · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 178

The owls may not be able to fly off with a chicken,because you say they are small,but they could kill one or take chicks.What you need to do is string Christmas lights around the top of the pens and cut them on at night.Use the ones that flash on and off.It disorientates the owls and they won`t fly around it.