Buzzard blues

[aberreef]

I'm having problems with a buzzard killing my chickens. Its taking them at dawn and has killed at least 10 over the past few weeks.

I covered their run with mesh but he's still managed to get in. Once the pigs are out he seems to steer clear.

Has anyone got any ideas on how to keep him away please.

He/she is absolutely stunning btw

 

[Frisbee]

Why are they out in a run at dawn?

They should be in a secure house and not let out till later. Covering a run with mesh is no deterrent to either buzzards, foxes, weasels or anything else which might consider chicken a good breakfast.

Frisbee

 

[Erichalfbee]

Once the pigs are out he seems to steer clear.

There seems to be an answer there, let them out once pigs are out?

I have five five week olds running in the field/wood with their mum in the flock. I do see and hear buzzards overhead most days but they seem to leave the hens alone, maybe the cockerel is noisy enough to keep them away.

 

[Luminos]

There are many buzzards here, but I've never lost a chicken to a buzzard; and our chickens are free-range.

I strongly agree with Frisbee, to keep them in a secure place until well after sunrise - and it needs to be secure.
Our run has 1cm square mesh wire netting over the top, around, and also beneath the run, to prevent foxes etc tunnelling in.

As Erichalfbee suggests, if the pigs keep it away, that's a simple remedy.
I don't know anything about pigs, but we have lost no chickens since we rescued two donkeys from the meat market - to our surprise, they chase away any predators, and even dogs & cats. If you have the space, I can recommend them!

 

[aberreef]

Thanks for the replies so far.

My chickens have had the run of their pen for 2 years without incident until this buzzard took a liking to them. Tehy are behind 5' weldmesh that has 2 strands of electric wire above. Stretched over almost the whole pen is 4"ish mesh. Around this is an electric fence. The coops also have a light activated automatic door. There are 2 VERY large cockerels in the run along with 12 or so large ducks that have not been touched.

I don't want to, and am unable to confine them any more than they are already due to my working pattern.

When I let the pigs out (time varies) I also let all the poultry out for the day and they free range over about 2 acres. No losses during the day to date.

What I really need is some way of detering the buzzard. Do decoys or some other visual deterrent work?

 

[aberreef]

Forgot to add there's also a pony on the field. I don't think she's much use though. She regularly has birds sat on her back stealing her mane for nest material

 

[Luminos]

Abereef, have I got this right - the buzzard doesn't take the chickens whilst they free-range - presumably because of the pigs - and all the losses are from the buzzard entering the mesh run of a morning before the chickens are let out?
L
P.S At least you won't have to pull the pony's mane

 

[aberreef]

Abereef, have I got this right - the buzzard doesn't take the chickens whilst they free-range - presumably because of the pigs - and all the losses are from the buzzard entering the mesh run of a morning before the chickens are let out?
L
P.S At least you won't have to pull the pony's mane

Spot on He started to take them before I put the mesh over them and it took me a while to find out what was doing the killing. The latest chicken he killed by flying though a weak point in the mesh, pulling it down.

 

[Luminos]

Seems like smaller mesh is needed. Trouble is, the smaller the mesh, the more expensive it is
I had a look on the web and there are suggestions of mirror-balls, CD's hung in a line, or a scarecrow succeeding in keeping buzzards away.
Not sure where you'd get the mirror-balls, unless you're a ballroom dancing fan!

 

[Russel]

Seems like smaller mesh is needed. Trouble is, the smaller the mesh, the more expensive it is
I had a look on the web and there are suggestions of mirror-balls, CD's hung in a line, or a scarecrow succeeding in keeping buzzards away.
Not sure where you'd get the mirror-balls, unless you're a ballroom dancing fan!

Amazon or the old xmas baubles maybe?

 

[greatbritishhoney]

http://www.scaringbirds.com/wind.html

 

[aberreef]

Thanks for the replies.

Greatbritishhoney, have you used one of these. It looks pretty good and will take a look at getting one or 2, especially if they scsare foxes too

 

[greatbritishhoney]

Thanks for the replies.

Greatbritishhoney, have you used one of these. It looks pretty good and will take a look at getting one or 2, especially if they scsare foxes too

No, never used one, but I am considering it. We have real problems with crows stealing eggs from our hens and I thought it may well keep them away. I have tried virtually everything else but crows are clever bu**ers!
Also, have the usual fox problems.

Edit: Only down side I can think of is that foxes, buzzards, crows etc tend to get used to these kind of things after a while. E.g - if you put up a scarecrow it will keep the crows away for a day or so, then they'll be using it as a perch.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Saw a roll of this kind of tape at a yacht chandlers today, you srtetch it between stays or whatever and it apparently makes a low buzzing noise which sends birds nuts I forgot to take the name of the one I saw, but here's a description of a similar one I found on Amazon - could be good for woodpeckers as well and at less than a fiver a reel worth a try
BIRD SCARER 30M. A highly innovative and successful product. Birdscare is an effective bird deterrent made of polypropylene tape, which emits a penetrating vibration that birds won't go near. It is safe, simple, durable and easy to use. Just stretch it between two stakes and it will start to emit the vibration. It not only deters birds, but also rabbits and other pests. Birdscare is harmless to crops, birds and animals. It will protect all types of vegetable and fruit crops and is also ideal for protecting newly-sown lawns. Birdscare is supplied in 30 metre (100ft) reels.

 

[taff..]

Saw a roll of this kind of tape at a yacht chandlers today, you srtetch it between stays or whatever and it apparently makes a low buzzing noise which sends birds nuts I forgot to take the name of the one I saw, but here's a description of a similar one I found on Amazon - could be good for woodpeckers as well and at less than a fiver a reel worth a try
BIRD SCARER 30M. A highly innovative and successful product. Birdscare is an effective bird deterrent made of polypropylene tape, which emits a penetrating vibration that birds won't go near. It is safe, simple, durable and easy to use. Just stretch it between two stakes and it will start to emit the vibration. It not only deters birds, but also rabbits and other pests. Birdscare is harmless to crops, birds and animals. It will protect all types of vegetable and fruit crops and is also ideal for protecting newly-sown lawns. Birdscare is supplied in 30 metre (100ft) reels.

I think I see a slight issue with using a product called 'BIRDSCARE' to protect Chickens

 

[Ellensmum]

We are in rural cornwall and have had buzzards taking our bantams during the day - we found if they couldn't swoop down it sorted the problem - i now have washing lines c/d's and have planted willow trees intermittendly through their run - they still fly over but can't swoop - mind you i have just been out to put them to bed and have nearly decapitated myself on a washing line so be careful