Thursday, 26 February 2015

Buzzard Attack

While emptying the ash pan I could here a commotion in the poultry area, so I donned my wellies and went round there just as I approached a big buzzard took off and this the damaged he had done
another chicken lost to a buzzard, I had had problems with the chickens being attacked and posted on here about it, I was told by some that buzzards don't attack poultry, well they do I have now seen it myself, unfortunately I don't think we are allowed to shoot the buzzards but I will look into this.
his now means the poultry cannot free range nature is so cruel.
I have removed the chicken so he needn't bother coming back for it.
 

24 comments:

  1. How awful, poor thing, there must be some sort of gadget which scares them away, I hope you find a solution, so sad for you x

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    1. I did read read mirrors deter them when they see there reflection they think its another buzzard coming in to attack them

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  2. Col say's he's surprised that we haven't lost a chicken to buzzards as there are often 2 circling over the woods near us, but hopefully there are enough pheasants and rabbits about for them.

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  3. I've experienced that, it's awful, yes, nature is cruel and country life isn't all roses is it ?

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    1. Problems occur when the balance is upset there is not enough wild food for them so they attack domestic stock

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  4. Dawn, it is illegal to kill or injure a buzzard or any bird of prey x

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    1. I know unfortunately there numbers have increased so much they are no a pest like magpies

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  5. We have them circling here, as far as I know they have never attacked next doors chickens but have certainly snatched song birds & pigeons from the garden xx

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    1. we had buzzards were we lived before but they never bothered the chooks there was plenty of other food for them.

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  6. This is probably the reason some people have chicken runs with wire mesh roofs.
    And as Hazel says you're not allowed to shoot them, although I don't know why, they're not endangered any more, their numbers seem to be reaching nuisance numbers in some areas.

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    1. I have been doing a bit of research and it seems buzzards are becoming more of a problem around here

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  7. Oh Dawn... what a horrible sight and that poor chick-chick! We kept chickens (ex-battery) and were very fortunate that they all died of natural causes. Yes, I'm a 'southern-woos', but chickens are such lovely animals.
    Hope you're able to think of something to keep them safe. CMW

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    1. since moving here we have lost chooks and ducks to fox and buzzard, its a shame they are going to be confined now

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  8. Forgot to say, I hope Kara gets on ok at the vets tomorrow. I'm sure you'll give her plenty of fuss and attention. CMW

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    1. She hs had a special last supper tonight, as she won be allowed breakfast that is going o be hard, thank you :-)

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  9. I wasn't aware that they attacked live birds - what devastation! Can you put up a run with poultry netting on top? I have also taken nylon fishing line and run it in a criss-cross pattern across the top of the run. I am so sorry the buzzards have found your chickens.

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    1. I plan to do a covering of poultry netting it is on the job list for tomorrow

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  10. I am so sorry Dawn, not nice for you, it is natural and what happens in nature, but it still isn't nice when it is an animal that you have reared and cared for is it. xx

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    1. well it isnt going to feast on my chooks anymore, we will be netting the poultry area

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  11. I said they didn't so I stand corrected sorry. And nope you can't legally shhot buzzards I'm afraid. Massive fines imposed and loss of licenses I think.

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    1. I wont hold it against you Kev, perhaps I could use you as a buzzard scarcer :-)

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  12. How sad, I came home today and a fox had had one of mine, looked like a slaughterhouse. They've such lovely personalities it's heartbreaking when they go. I've always sworn by free-ranging ours but this is the fourth I've lost in as many months and I can't take the heart ache.

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  13. I don't agree that the Buzzard was cruel. Are we are in denial of why hens are bred in the first place? Besides, our laying hens are actually native to the jungles of Asia. If they were allowed to live as nature intended they would forage under tree cover, safe from aerial attack by birds of prey. I'm left saddened by attitudes on display here towards wild Wales.

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