Are crows a threat to my chickens?

[Cloverr39]

Recently I've seen a crow near my chicken coop. I have found crow feathers in the run. Today a crow was on the other side of the run fighting with my silkie hen through the fence. Then it decided to fly inside the run and walk around. At that point it heard me knocking on the window and flew away. I have chicks. 3 weeks olds and 6 week olds. They currently live inside the coop 24/7, but I plan on moving the bigger ones out at 8 weeks old. They're silkies. Could that crow decide my 8 week olds look like a snack? Could I do something to scare the crow away? I know they're very smart birds and can't really be tricked that easily. I could try putting a net over the run. At what age would they leave my chicks alone? I really love crows, but I won't tolerate them messing with my chickens.

 

[Moodleroni]

Good question, im sorry i dont have information to help but im following

 

[Yard Farmer]

As for the chicks, I'm not sure, I'd assume they would be at some risk.. But your big hens should be just fine.
I've watched a crow just walk passed a scratching hen before.

Maybe put bird netting on top of your coop/run?

 

[5Australorpasaures]

Not so much large birds but will go after chicks. I have seen a crow gobble down baby Robins out of a nest with no regard for the frantic parents. I have also seen Blue Jays kill and eat baby birds in the nest.

 

[Shadrach]

The chicks mother will deal with any crows that fancy a chick snack. Your chicks do have their mother with them of course, don't they.
Oh, possibly not then. A lesson to be learned here perhaps...

Yes, a crow is a threat to baby chicks that have niether a mother, or a tribe to protect them. Your best bet is to make any run crow proof with a netted roof. This is a good idea for any run.

On the plus side, if you have crows then they can and do drive off hawks that might also fancy a chick snack

 

[Cloverr39]

The chicks mother will deal with any crows that fancy a chick snack. Your chicks do have their mother with them of course, don't they.
Oh, possibly not then. A lesson to be learned here perhaps...

Yes, a crow is a threat to baby chicks that have niether a mother, or a tribe to protect them. Your best bet is to make any run crow proof with a netted roof. This is a good idea for any run.

On the plus side, if you have crows then they can and do drive off hawks that might also fancy a chick snack

My 3 week olds have a mother hen, but the 6 week olds don't. I don't really have a need for crows to stick around cause there aren't many hawks in the city. Seagulls I've seen, but no hawks. I will put a net over the run as soon as I can, thanks.

 

[AidKD]

Yes, crows are definitely a threat to the small ones.

 

[Isadora]

A roof of some kind over your run is what you need. Netting would work, as you mentioned. A crow will certainly take the opportunity to snatch any littles he can get.

 

[NJ Barnevelders]

Recently I've seen a crow near my chicken coop. I have found crow feathers in the run. Today a crow was on the other side of the run fighting with my silkie hen through the fence. Then it decided to fly inside the run and walk around. At that point it heard me knocking on the window and flew away. I have chicks. 3 weeks olds and 6 week olds. They currently live inside the coop 24/7, but I plan on moving the bigger ones out at 8 weeks old. They're silkies. Could that crow decide my 8 week olds look like a snack? Could I do something to scare the crow away? I know they're very smart birds and can't really be tricked that easily. I could try putting a net over the run. At what age would they leave my chicks alone? I really love crows, but I won't tolerate them messing with my chickens.

Crows ate my young pullets and my daughters free range young chickens. hope you didnt loose any chicks and young chickens to that crow. They are smart and will kill young chickens. Unless you catch them in the act all you will find will be feathers. They carry them off in their beak or eat them on the spot.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I often lose broody raised chicks to crows/ravens and magpies. They even took a duckling this year.