Tara123 Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 We get a lot of red kite's around here on a daily basis, would these be a problem if I let my girls free range? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 They might be! Rig up some cd's and flappy things to move in the wind and act as bird scarers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 As far as I am aware, Red Kites feed on carrion rather than living birds. We have them flying over us regularly and have never come down in the garden so you'd probably be OK but Egluntine's suggestions are excellent just in case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Someone on here lost a chook to a Buzzard - not sure how they compare to Red Kites. We have Buzzards fly over but I've never seen one come in close - we back on to farmland so I assume they have enough natural prey. Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 We have them nesting in the trees at the bottom of the garden - magnificent & beautiful creatures! Never had a problem with them as,like Kate says,they are carrion feeders, but I do keep an eye on the girls when they are free ranging Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treekeeper Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 Kites: Milvus large buzzard like bird of prey partly carrion feeders,frequent motor roads to feed on animals killed by traffic. To quote from a birding book. Kites wont attack your hens. Buzzards on the other hand do kill larger prey such as rabbits so be more wary of them but also be aware they are protected so no suggestions of shotguns etc to protect chickens! Usually if they are in a garden with humans about the birds of prey will stay a long way away. We did have one incident however up in Scotland my OH grandparents live on a remote croft and keep hundreds of hens in chicken sheds scattered throughout the property and we went out one morning to find a Golden Eagle attempting to catch Chooks who promptly ran off under bushes sheds tractors any cover available we all rushed out to see what the noise was to see this large bird swooping and diving we all shouted and instead of flying off it just settled in a tree and watched everyone quite unconcerned. Needless to say it didn't succeed in catching anything and just hung about I think it was a fairly young bird 'cause it did't seem to have a clue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
