FoxFighters Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 This morning my chickens and I had the fright of our lives when this whacking great big Heron flew down into the garden!!!! My Pepperpot had seen it for a while as I'd been watching her frozen for about a minute and wondered why? Anyway, next thing I knew this HUGE Heron had flown down from the top of the conservatory and scattered my chickens to the four winds (which was quite a feat as I've only got two at present) I scared the thing off and remembered that my next-door-neighbours (who have a pond) said they saw it in their garden the other morning. What I'm worried about is was it after my chooks? I can't believe how BIG it was!!! Poor Pepper was found with her head in a bush actually trembling!!!!! (I had visions of her keeling over - we're not lucky with our chooks!!) She has since laid an egg and seems ok, but I was worried that the Heron would come back and attack them, or scare them to death? There was a small amount of left over corn in the garden, but literally only a few grains. It might've been after that perhaps???? I have got 3 cats but they wouldn't have stood a chance with that monster! Any comments gratefully received! xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Not sure that it would carry a chicken away, but it could certainly give them a nasty stab with that long pointed beak. You will have to get one of those lovely tasteful plastic decoy herons to put it off visiting. My friend had to get one to stop a heron helping itself to the carp in his pond. It seemed to work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FoxFighters Posted June 9, 2009 Author Share Posted June 9, 2009 Hmmm, yes very tasteful !!! I'm sure it wouldn't try to eat the Chooks, but Pepper was PETRIFIED Thanks for the reply!! xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasperaliceuk Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 This chappie has visited us the past two days and he surprised me by landing in the apple tree which is not 15' from the house and the same distance from the chickens who were in their netting run. I even had time to take some shots, go indoors, change to a zoom lens, take some more and then walk out on the patio and take a couple! When it came over yesterday the chickens absolutely froze, crouched down low, making funny warbling noises. I have got a small pond only a few yards away but it certainly seemed more interested in the chickens than that. It slightly perturbed me. So once I had my photo fill I sent the dog out! Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 What a brilliant photo I've never been close enough to get a photo of a heron, even with my zoom lens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindafw Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 as he happily eats frogs and small fish I would watch out if you have bantums or chicks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammiboo Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 no they wont go for your chickens. although they would eat your chicks so unless you have some fluffy chicks your chickens will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPalmer Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 I have seen one near my pond where I walk attack and eat a middle size duck so if you have smallish bantams I would keep an eye out. I use to live in Florida and alot of people think herons only eat fish... NOT TRUE! They will eat whatever they can get down their mouths and small to middle size birds are a target just as much as fish are. They can be very aggressive towards birds so keep an eye out it wouldn't suprise me if they would try for a chicken if they thought they could get away with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 You will have to get one of those lovely tasteful plastic decoy herons to put it off visiting. My friend had to get one to stop a heron helping itself to the carp in his pond. It seemed to work. My dad keeps posh koi fish and bought one to scare off his visiting heron. The real heron made friends with the plastic one and kept coming to sit next to it Maybe it was lonely and the plastic one was particularly attractive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pearls007 Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 I often see herons around here (Surrey) and have watched one eat the fish from next doors pond. The chickens are afraid of them - but I have a problem with heron poo. I had one load land on my car windscreen when I was about 100 yards from home - it landed with an almighty bang, covered nearly half the windscreen and wasn't really shifted much by the wipers . This morning one has coated the front porch - the paperboy obviously wasn't going to touch it and the papers were left outside - we have had to sluice it off with a hose - as I did with my car. Chicken poo is wonderful by comparison......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasperaliceuk Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 Sorry, musn't laugh but that paints quite a picture - in fact paintballing springs to mind! Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
