Falcon started barking a few minutes ago and I went to see what had gotten him all riled up. There was a turkey buzzard in one of the back yard trees so I just told him good dog, its okay, blah, blah, then all the sudden I realize there are about 15 - 20 buzzards all hunkered in the trees around the chicken coop! (The recent snow/ice had "killed" the netting over the outside run so I have pulled it off so the chickens wouldn't get all caught up.)
I went out to shoo them off but a few really gave me the old stink eye and I practically had to throw something at the last one which was right over the chicken yard.
I've put all the gals back in the coop but am curious... do buzzards kill live prey when needed? (Doug is going to give me a refresher course in shotguns when he gets home tonight.)
Kristel Smart Webboard User Reg: 10-03-2006
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I think they prefer to scavenge, but I could almost swear I've seen them take a live pigeon or two. They don't scare easily, either. They are rather intimidating as a group, aren't they? I wouldn't trust them not to take chickens.
Natalya Zahn Webboard User Reg: 12-22-2006
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Quote: Kristel Smart
I think they prefer to scavenge, but....I wouldn't trust them not to take chickens.
From what I understand about them, they are almost exclusively carrion birds (and while large and creepy looking, they're quite non aggressive), though if the conditions are poor and they're really hungry, a lazy, confined chicken is probably an easy meal. The other thing they will scavenge for are eggs... any of those hens leave eggs outside their indoor nesting boxes, Barbara?
Kristel Smart Webboard User Reg: 10-03-2006
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Good call Natalya. Here's an excerpt from the Turkey Vulture Wiki page:
"The Turkey Vulture feeds primarily on a wide variety of carrion, from small mammals to large grazers, preferring those recently dead, and avoiding carcasses that have reached the point of putrefaction. It may rarely feed on plant matter, shoreline vegetation, pumpkin and other crops, live insects and other invertebrates....It rarely, if ever, kills prey itself... It also will feed on fish or insects which have become stranded in shallow water..."
Melissa Thom Webboard User Reg: 12-04-2007
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I know they eat chicks, mice, and will attack newborn animals like cows. Uhem... a local farmer had some blind calves as a result of those buzzards. They are opportunistic like ravens.
Hmmmm... I don't trust the buggers even though everything I've read says they normally don't kill. If they'll tackle a new born calf I agree that a chicken wouldn't be too intimidating. Occasssionally I find an egg outside of the coop but none since we've had the snow, but one dumb cluck doesn't care where she lays so I'll keep an eye out.
Thanks for the input. I've let them back out since it is warming up a tiny bit and am keeping a close eye on them. So is Falcon -he is sitting in front of the patio door where he saw them earlier, keeping a sharp watch toward the coop! Yeah Falcon!
Turkey buzzards will take chickens. Lots of snow seems to make them hungry and bold.
They also like to hang out in huge groups,and they are not very afraid of people.
Your dog looks great -- he can protect the chicken house for sure!
Any chance you have a dead chicken in there? Those buzzards can smell a dead thing from miles away.....
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Do turkey buzzards kill as well as scavage?
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