An email from Victoria, BC

[AZWhitefeather]

Date 11/27/02 @4:09PM
From: Gilles Patenaude
email address: gillesvp@shaw.ca

This email was sent to me & I am forwarding it, in hopes we can help with fellow with his problem.

Hi,
I live just outside Victoria BC, so does my friend Jean Louis; JL has been keeping pigeons in a barn-coop for several years but has now run into trouble (the pigeons have been nesting & raising their young there for several years).
All the pigeons have suddenly deserted the coop because an owl has infiltrated it & has killed & eaten one.
Would anyone know what can be done to restore peace to the coop? (and prevent the owl from entering).
Gilles

[This message has been edited by AZWhitefeather (edited November 27, 2002).]

[bigbird]

In the U.S. owls are protected, heavy fines for not obeying the laws.
I do not know about Canada.
Barn owls can be chased away, over and over, until they get the message.
It will return however to eat pigeons so that is not really an answer.
This is a very difficult situation.
I hope others will give this some thought and give you some more options.
Sorry I cannot be of more assistance here.
Regards,
Carl

[Wild Dove]

Hi!
Yes, owls are protected in Canada.
I think Carl is right in that this is a Barn owl, (white underparts, rusty/orange on top?), as well as a difficult situation.
Right now, the only thing I can think of is to purchase a Horned owl decoy and place it where it is very visible, (larger owl moves into territory), or play a recording of a Horned owl in the barn for a few days/nights until the Barn gets the message. Unfortunately, I don't know how this will affect the pigeons.
Alternatively, you could try lighting the barn/coop area very well, and playing a radio quite loudly for a few days and nights...hopefully, the owl would move on with all of the "activity".
If I think of something else, I will post.
Good Luck!
Wild Dove