owl – TBN Ranch Chicken Keeping Resources

This past year has been our worst ever for predator attacks. For twelve years, not a one, now, in 2016 we’ve had five. Three were by coyotes, one by a hawk, and yesterday, a bobcat. When the first attacks happened in February, we predator proofed all our coops better over a few months.

We are finally done and everybody is safe. Then, yesterday I thought it would be nice to let the flock out for 20 minutes while I cleaned the coop.
They stayed close, no more than 20 feet away from where I was working. Sounds safe enough right? NO. Hard to even believe this, but, a bobcat jumped up from behind our 7ft block wall and snatched Peaches, my best mamma Silkie hen and took off with her. Seriously, what are the chances of that happening? I’m devastated.

So much for trying to be kind to my girls with a little free roam time. I never in a million years thought a bobcat or any other predator would attack with me out there, I was dead wrong. And… if you think because you’re in the city your chickens are safe, they’re not. Our little farm is located in the middle of the city, with mega traffic and high density housing all around us.

There is however, 700 acres of state leased mountain range right behind our property. Nevertheless, you’d think a busy neighborhood with a maze of block wall fencing would keep predators within their natural boundaries, or at least somewhat discourage them. Wrong, trust me, there are no boundaries.

Although I’m embarrassed to admit I allowed my flock to fall victim to a predator when I should have known better, I’m warning you now to never assume your birds are safe. Beware, chickens are NOT safe unless they are in a predator safe enclosure at all times… even in the city, and even if you’re right with them.

Below are pics of the predators spotted on our urban farm in the last year. A dangerous mix that most people probably assume are unlikely to be within the city limits. Guess what… wherever you live, they’re prowling in your backyard as well. Keep your chickens protected, and remember, some predators will also go after a small dog. Today we bought a large 10x10x6ft high covered dog pen so our little dogs are safe when they go outside. All this pretty acreage, and sadly they aren’t safe to run free and enjoy it anymore.

These predators have all visited our little urban farm at one time or another.

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Six Common Predators and the Clues Left Behind After an Attack

1024px-Coyote_in_Lincoln_Park — **Coyote**

Coyotes will either tunnel or muscle their way into a coop. They’re smart, staking out the premises first to learn when the ideal time is to attack. A coyote is most likely to be seen at dawn and dusk, however, broad daylight attacks are not unheard of. Keep in mind coyotes are very active at night, and they can easily scale a 6-foot fence. When a coyote gains access to a chicken coop they’re known to kill all the birds, then take a couple with them.
Signs a Coyote Leaves Behind After an Attack
Birds missing.
Necks broken.
Feathers scattered everywhere in the coop.

Clever as a fox is a saying we’ve all heard, and it couldn’t be more true. They climb better than you could ever imagine and can dig their way into a coop with ease. Fox are smart and patient, they will watch your coop for weeks before they attack.
Every bird the fox can grab in the coop will be killed, and often the entire flock will be completely wiped out.
They’ll take as many birds from the coop as they can with them.
Signs a Fox Leaves Behind After an Attack
Many birds missing
Feathers sprawled in the coop AND away from the coop
Broken necks

800px-Raccoon_climbing_in_tree_-_Cropped_and_color_corrected — **Raccoon**

These clever egg-stealing masked burglars leave significant evidence of their presence. A raccoon rips open the crop and sometimes the breast to feast. You’ll find all the chickens still in the coop as a rule because coons have difficulty carrying them off.
One of the raccoon’s most distinctive features is their extremely dexterous front paws, in other words, they’re extremely talented at opening door latches!
Signs a Raccoon Leaves Behind After an Attack
Rips open the crop and sometimes the breast.
Dead chickens will most likely be left in the coop.

This little critter is after your chicks and eggs. That’s his primary agenda, but it may go after a small adult chicken at times. The opossum gains access usually through a small opening in the coop
Signs an Opossum Leaves Behind After an Attack
Doesn’t take birds from the coop.
Tears open the abdomen.
Interesting Fact: The opossum is a Marsupial. The adult females have a marsupium, or pouch where they keep their young while they grow up. Cool

The Enemy, Resident Harris Hawk — **Hawk**

These predators usually attack when chickens are free roaming during the day. Hawks, like the fox and coyote, are well prepared for their attack by staking out the premises beforehand.
There’s no mistaking the evidence of a chicken attacked by a hawk, the signs are quite different from all other predators. Sharp talons and beaks are extremely effective in killing or injuring multiple birds.
Signs the Hawk Leaves Behind After an Attack
Some birds will be missing.
Some injured birds will appear to be cut up.
Injuries look as though chickens were stabbed with a knife.

Owls attack similarly to the hawk. They also stake out the potential of a meal by watching the chickens for a spell before they attack.
Hawk or Owl? It’s not entirely impossible to tell the difference between a hawk and an owl attack. Raptors usually poop when they kill, fortunately, the poop of an owl and hawk are slightly different. You’ll find their poop near the feathers of the victim.
Owl: White streak with clumps
Hawk: Just a white streak
Signs an Owl Leaves Behind After an Attack
Neck and head ate.
Deep knife-looking cuts on the abdomen.

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Tag: owl

Urban Chickens Fall Victim to Predators Too

Identifying Chicken Predators by the Individual Evidence They Leave Behind

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