You've heard of the group, "Counting Crows?." Fortet them. For the past 5 years I've been trying to Feed crows.. Yep. I started during the Covid lockdown. At first the crows would only come for food if I was in the house.. Eventually, slowly, slowly, they'd get a little more bold around me.. Today was a breakthrough day.. I'd been out working on a 'honey-do' project. As soon as I got back into the house a crow perched 5 feet from my back door and let himself be known. I grabbed some Kibbles and intended to just throw them into the street while the crows retreated.. This time the crow stayed close and did NOT retreat..It did not spook when I tossed the food... FINALLY, some acceptance..!
Do you feed crows?
Yes! they come down to steel the chicken food. They must get wormed at the same time as the chickens, as i bye chicken food mixed with worm powder. They are local crows (a half dozen or so), and fly up to discourage errant crows flying over at roosting time.
My neighbor wanted to shoot them, but we managed to dissuade him for fear of even more crows moving in on their territory. Now with Bird flu, we have to keep the Chooks locked up. So the crows don't get fed... or wormed, for the time being.
They also discourage pigeons, Magpies, Buzzards etc, and warn us of anything else going off in the woods. Our dogs and horses have learned to listen for their alarm calls for foxes etc.
When I was in highschool, us kids would always look out of our front door to try to see the bus coming about 1/2 mile away and then we'd head for the corner to catch the bus.. When it was My turn to look for the bus I always counted the crows flying across the fields.. I'll never forget the delight I felt doing doing that count.
They seem to be very punctual, territorial and smart.
Hehe , I absolutely love crows... they have this aura of magic around them <3 My grandmother and grandfather on father's side used to have a crow that was pretty tame, my father was still living there I think, so it was a long time ago. This crow always flew into their house and it would violently attack visitors - then my grandfather had to use his cap to chase him away lol, but he always came back.
Don't know if this crow was from a stolen egg or not, I guess so, my grandfather was a notorious bird catcher. He had a large volière outside....
Bird trapping became illegal in this country. They used to use glue... :-/
Edited by - Quincy on 03/11/2025 14:45:00
quote:
Originally posted by TuneWeaverWhen I was in highschool, us kids would always look out of our front door to try to see the bus coming about 1/2 mile away and then we'd head for the corner to catch the bus.. When it was My turn to look for the bus I always counted the crows flying across the fields.. I'll never forget the delight I felt doing doing that count.
I can imagine, I always wanted a tame crow or a magpie as a kid...one that would fly into my room each morning when I would open the window and that would always circle around me up in the air. That idea still sounds very appealing!
I remember you talking about crow feeding on here back in the lockdown age. Good to hear you're winning them over. I'd try feeding them other foods, things that might make you seem like delicious slot machine. When you train animals, particularly wild ones, it's best to use a high value reward. Worms, fruit, peanuts (these are fun to eat and squirrels like them too)...
quote:
Originally posted by QuincyHehe , I absolutely love crows... they have this aura of magic around them <3 My grandmother and grandfather on father's side used to have a crow that was pretty tame, my father was still living there I think, so it was a long time ago. This crow always flew into their house and it would violently attack visitors - then my grandfather had to use his cap to chase him away lol, but he always came back.
The remedy for that is to give visitors peanuts to toss to the crows..
Sorry, but crows are the enemy to a farmer. Kin to possums, raccoons and coyotes as far as pestilence.
You will see crows out soon pulling up corn sprouts in order to eat the kernel, leaving the planter with 2 less ears of corn. Things are always around to steal the food a farmer has worked hard to produce. Genesis 3:17-19
Here's my 'when I was a kid' story. I was the one assigned to get up before school in Apr-May, get a gun and climb in the loft of the barn before sunrise to sit in ambush. My goal was to ventilate a crow walking around in the furrows. We would then hang it upside down on a pole in the cornpatch. That was our scarecrow for the summer, and it worked beautifully.
When we used to plant corn, just in our garden, not the farm..."one for the blackbird, one for the crow, one for the cutworm and one to grow." I guess I still do that...lol...I do remember people hating crows and yes they do love the corn...everything that walks loves corn. I tried to grow a small patch of it here before...I even pollinated it by hand because our place is so small I didn't think it would be able to pollinate well...anyway, apparently the raccoons, which we have plenty of, were having big corn eating parties down in the back overnight..there were cobs and pieces laying around all the time. We never got any...lol. But I just can't kill them. I know people have had to just to grow anything.
I'm really impressed with techniques that have been used by farmers in parts of Africa where the wildlife messes with the crops but they are endangered and can't be harmed... one thing I've read about it placement of bee hives...apparently elephants, who can't be stopped by a fence, are terrified of bees, so they keep their distance from crops when bee hives are placed strategically. I've thought about doing that here...it wouldn't take much in the way of hives.
But the cheapie poultry electric movable fencing does work to keep the raccoons and foxes out of the chicken lot...not that we have chickens anymore, but that does the trick without disrupting the native wildlife. It's different than what we used to have for the cattle...that was one wire going across that would 'bout kill ya, felt like...lol...if you dared to touch it. The poultry fencing I'm talking about is less zappy...but enough to starve off predators and you can move it around where needed. It works with a solar panel and battery.
Oh but anyway, these days we feed crows and all types of birds and squirrels and even some pigeons started coming over here...at first I chased them away with grandsons' Nerf blasters because they are way too hungry...lol...but we've come to terms with them and now we feed them something different...they eat it when they come around, and surprisingly, they leave the squirrels and birds to their own stuff. So...yeah, a little more expensive, but I'm a pushover, I'm afraid. Anyway, I'll use the poultry fence next time I plan on growing corn. I'm gonna try sorghum grain, not the syrup cane, but eh grain itself, this year. Not sure if raccoons will want that or not. I grew brown rice out of the bag one year and no animal touched it...found out why when I harvested it for myself...way too much trouble to get at...lol. But it is a beautiful plant.
Oh yes, anyway, when I go out in the mornings with peanuts in the shells...first the blue jays holler, then the crows, and finally the sleepy squirrels come down from the trees and they all have a party while I fill the bird feeders with sunflower seed. That's how it works here.
Edited by - groundhogpeggy on 03/11/2025 19:02:01
The closest things we have to crows are ravens, and they don't come looking for food!
quote:
Originally posted by TuneWeaverquote:
Originally posted by QuincyHehe , I absolutely love crows... they have this aura of magic around them <3 My grandmother and grandfather on father's side used to have a crow that was pretty tame, my father was still living there I think, so it was a long time ago. This crow always flew into their house and it would violently attack visitors - then my grandfather had to use his cap to chase him away lol, but he always came back.
The remedy for that is to give visitors peanuts to toss to the crows..
I am pretty convinced there is a positive reinforcement solution to manage a lot of unwanted animal behavior, but this was after war Europe and don't think people were that knowledgable back then...Too bad ofcourse. Nevertheless, owning a high drive working line Belgian Malinois from a pedigree of tough dogs meant for bitework/defense, I sometimes, when my dog is just too defensive towards a stranger ( often, most of the times, a simple 'no' is just enough to stop her, but sometimes her reaction is too explosive) she will get an immediate slap to instantly make clear : no is no! Wthout an extremely good bond and for a 'soft' normal household dog I would never ever stand behind this approach, but in case of a very tough dog like this, and only when she knows very well I don't want it but chooses to do this anyway, for a working breed dog from such a line this is not something bad. Society is happy with my well behaved dog, but it takes a fair and mental strong owner to guide a dog like this. If you can't see this then a really tough 'hard' dog like that is not the right dog for the person. The defensive skills in a Malinois are this strong that sometimes your dog might exaggerate it in a way it might cause problems or poses direct danger. Then the art is action- instant reaction. I don't even really hurt her at that moment when she is very high drive , but the short not too hard not too soft slap will bring her back to the limit: 'ok, that's right boss don't want me to do this'.
I regret all trainers who easily turn to a slap or even very mean stuff, there is just too many of these 'trainers' around, but one should never throw away the child with the bath water... There really is a truth in this approach also.
I am proud my dog is a very happy and well behaved dog. I am very aware she could be used as a weapon. I like to have her around because I like my freedom and only a nutcase would try to attack me/rob me/ harass me/ yell at me with a dog like Ziva next to me. She is my freedom as a free woman in a place where women are frequently harassed by 'some men' where it used to be safe when I was a kid and young girl. She is my freedom to walk during midst of night, my protector, my eyes and ears and gut feeling and I love her to death. Above all she is my very best friend and the soulmate I live for. We are that close and she is such a dog that sometimes , only when needed, a hard drawing of the border is perfectly possible without harming her soul...
I felt the need to explain that about this lovely breed <3
Lee, cool that you are not on 'Corvid' lockdown ! Crows are right up there in intelligence with chimps, dolphins & African Grey Parrots. A friend runs a raptor show, he has an African crow that is amazing.
Maybe some think that there are too many crows, which brings to mind a friend who says there are too many wild turkeys... That is what they said about passenger pigeons...
Who has seen that video about how a National Park was changed when they reintroduced Wolves? If you haven't seen it you might check it out.. A pest animal could be an important part of our ecosystem..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_BqQEZQOJw
That's the issue...don't forget, according to the natural world, there are too many human beings. I mean, I'm all for humans, but honestly, we overtook the natural world, we need a lot to eat (have you ever tried subsistence farming??? People eat a LOT), we can't just go foraging and find enough food for ourselves...we need clothes and complicated shelter...I mean...the eco balance is pretty far off. I guess only humans can manage to try to set it straight but with us sharing this planet, it's always gonna be our needs vs the natural world.
The last passenger pigeon died in the Cincinnati Zoo...over across the river. I don't remember the year, but they do have an impressive display of that tragedy (you'll cry as you walk through that) and other species of birds that were wiped out. All of our birds, especially native eastern birds, now are decimated somewhat and on shaky territory at the moment. That's why I feed them no matter what...any critter, pest or not, who comes around will get something from me. Yes, I got my nickname from feeding the groundhog families across the road. Maybe I'm that dumb...lol...but we are the cause of their need...and at least we can try to help. It's not easy because it's expensive but seems only right to do if a person can possibly help somewhat. Also...growing native trees or flowers and such is a help too. There's not much of a balance now and even though some people argue that there always were mass extinctions on a 26 million year cycle. And there is the predator vs prey cycle of 4 years that goes on. But it seems we are off cycle in our time now, because the natural way things work is pretty much messed up with human activity. Seems like anyway. So...yeah we need to try to get along with nature.
Too many Canadian Geese.
quote:
Originally posted by tonyelderToo many Canadian Geese.
Now, hold off... I"m supporting Canadians at this time!!!
Maybe we need more coyotes? More skunks/raccoons to eat their eggs?
Edited by - TuneWeaver on 03/12/2025 08:22:07
quote:
Originally posted by TuneWeaverquote:
Originally posted by tonyelderToo many Canadian Geese.
Now, hold off... I"m supporting Canadians at this time!!!
I just want to - Make my back yard great again!
I wouldn't mind it - if I could train them to "do their business" on the compost pile. But - NO - they think the patio driveway, and back yard is better. I can only imagine one reason why they think like that: They take great pleasure in aggravating me.
Edited by - tonyelder on 03/12/2025 08:32:26
quote:
Originally posted by tonyelderquote:
Originally posted by TuneWeaverquote:
Originally posted by tonyelderToo many Canadian Geese.
Now, hold off... I"m supporting Canadians at this time!!!
I just want to - Make my back yard great again!
I wouldn't mind it - if I could train them to "do their business" on the compost pile. But - NO - they think the patio driveway, and back yard is better. I can only imagine one reason why they think like that: They take great pleasure in aggravating me.
Hey, the geese and I have something in common...eh? Maybe you need one of those little yappy dogs that likes to chase geese.
We got pretty close to some crows out behind our house. Then generally seemed interested. Eventually, they left. Mainly because of our pup I imagine.
Here's a little folk song for you crow lovers. Maybe it will help you understand and communicate with them. They're apparently fond of jokes.
youtu.be/Gw_638skaRM?feature=shared
Edited by - DougD on 03/12/2025 15:59:32
quote:
Originally posted by TuneWeaverquote:
Originally posted by tonyelderquote:
Originally posted by TuneWeaverquote:
Originally posted by tonyelderToo many Canadian Geese.
Now, hold off... I"m supporting Canadians at this time!!!
I just want to - Make my back yard great again!
I wouldn't mind it - if I could train them to "do their business" on the compost pile. But - NO - they think the patio driveway, and back yard is better. I can only imagine one reason why they think like that: They take great pleasure in aggravating me.
Hey, the geese and I have something in common...eh?
Got one. Her name is Elle Mae. 12 lb mini dachshund. Lately - she's more interested in the squirrels. But, when the squirrels are up in the trees, the geese are still on the ground.
Her big problem is figuring out what she's suppose to do - when she catches up with either. "OK. What do I do now?" 
clueless....
too many Canadian Geese.. PC says Canada Geese..but either way, once Trump makes Canada the 51st State, they will all be American Geese.. Then what?
Maybe there will be a hunting/trapping season..?
quote:
Originally posted by TuneWeavertoo many Canadian Geese.. PC says Canada Geese..but either way, once Trump makes Canada the 51st State, they will all be American Geese.. Then what?
It's not "PC," that's just what they are called. Has nothing to do with "P" but is correct. You don't call the orchestra a violinist.
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