Barn Owl

[Pringles]

We still have a solid covering of snow, so the owl's will be struggling for grub at the minute.

There is an owl that I reckon I would be able to catch in the hay shed this morning. We should not see them out and about during day light.

What should I offer a hungry Barn owl to eat?

 

[Chae1]

Wife was saying she saw 1 flying about steading in middle of afternoon yesterday.

They must be struggling with this weather

 

[Mickeydredd]

We still have a solid covering of snow, so the owl's will be struggling for grub at the minute.

There is an owl that I reckon I would be able to catch in the hay shed this morning. We should not see them out and about during day light.

What should I offer a hungry Barn owl to eat?

They will take day old chicks (as used for the falconry and reptile food) or obviously mice if you can catch them in a trap.
You could buy a few chicks from Elite Falconry near Cluny in Fife, they come frozen and you just defrost a couple per day and leave them where the owl can see and get them (but where the rats cannot!!)
I have seen tawny owls feed on carrion rabbit but not sure if barn owls would, but if they are hungry enough then they might.

 

[Guleesh]

Leave it alone. If it's going to die then that's the best thing that can happen for all barn owls. If it's not fit enough to survive the winter then its best that it doesn't go and breed with an owl that is.

 

[Danllan]

Leave it alone. If it's going to die then that's the best thing that can happen for all barn owls. If it's not fit enough to survive the winter then its best that it doesn't go and breed with an owl that is.

Unless he's recently done something to denude its hunting area, you're right.

 

[Bury the Trash]

Dead rats and mice for their food, but not
poisoned ones of course the y need removing before the owl gets a chance ,
using traps and that electric gizmo would give something for them I guess .

 

[Kidds]

Leave it alone. If it's going to die then that's the best thing that can happen for all barn owls. If it's not fit enough to survive the winter then its best that it doesn't go and breed with an owl that is.

If there is no food due to complete snow cover they will all die won't they? Not much breeding going on after that.

 

[capfits]

I have been lead to believe that they will only take live prey, but may go for worms and even little birds if desperate.
Certainly seen them more over the couple of days with the deep persistent snow cover.

 

[Mickeydredd]

That isn't true, they will readily take dead chicks/mice, especially with frozen snow on the ground.

 

[wanton dwarf]

If you think it's injured then might be worth contacting a vet or RSPB.

If it's ill then best to let nature take it's course.

 

[Kidds]

And if it really is ill, don't rule out avian flu. It is about at the mo.

 

[Bury the Trash]

We still have a solid covering of snow, so the owl's will be struggling for grub at the minute.

There is an owl that I reckon I would be able to catch in the hay shed this morning. We should not see them out and about during day light.

What should I offer a hungry Barn owl to eat?

how bout Pringles ? ?...trouble is then he just won't stop

 

[Guleesh]

If there is no food due to complete snow cover they will all die won't they? Not much breeding going on after that.

Don't be ridiculous. There's been owls surviving a bit of snow cover during winter long before there were people who think they know best and don't understand how evolution by a process of natural selection works.

 

[Kidds]

Don't be ridiculous. There's been owls surviving a bit of snow cover during winter long before there were people who think they know best and don't understand how evolution by a process of natural selection works.

Oh well, you must know best

 

[Hindsight]

Don't be ridiculous. There's been owls surviving a bit of snow cover during winter long before there were people who think they know best and don't understand how evolution by a process of natural selection works.

Your right G. Pity we intervene in the natural selection of homo sapiens with medical intervention. Why this bloody vaccine for Covid. Just let it rip and see whats left. As for the Barn Owl leave a bit out for it.

 

[Farmer Fin]

Still plenty of rodents going about above the snow. You can see their marks and holes. Imagine as long as it’s not snowing at the time so can the owls.

 

[Guleesh]

Oh well, you must know best

When it comes to the question of:

'do owls go extinct when it snows?'

Then it appears, that out of you and me, then yes, I do know best.

 

[organicguy]

When it comes to the question of:

'do owls go extinct when it snows?'

Then it appears, that out of you and me, then yes, I do know best.

They don't go extinct but their numbers drop significantly.
I have a stuffed one in my sitting room that died of a cold spring.
I believe mortality of first year owls is very high, I have, in my head that only 10% survive their first winter, then 90% after that. The firgures may be wrong but it is that extreme.
Help it if you can, they are not living in a natural environment anymore because something has f**** it up!

 

[Guleesh]

Your right G. Pity we intervene in the natural selection of homo sapiens with medical intervention. Why this bloody vaccine for Covid. Just let it rip and see whats left. As for the Barn Owl leave a bit out for it.

Yes H, great idea to treat animals and humans the same.
I mean really, All I can say is it's damn lucky all those species of wild animals managed to survive for millions of years and hold out long enough for us humans to come along to save them.

 

[Hindsight]

Yes H, great idea to treat animals and humans the same.
I mean really, All I can say is it's damn lucky all those species of wild animals managed to survive for millions of years and hold out long enough for us humans to come along to save them.

A totally logical reply. I concurr. But homo sapiens are far from logical. So 'why not'.

In which case if I happen to see you fallen by the side of the road in Skye (doubtful as the wee Crankie has sealed of Scotland) I will to coin the Dionne Warwick classic 'Walk on by' as it is as nature intended.

Best wishes,