Crows do eat chickens, though the threat is highly specific and rarely involves adult birds. Crows are intelligent and adaptable, which allows them to observe domestic fowl operations and exploit vulnerabilities. While they pose little threat to a healthy, full-grown chicken, they are significant predators and scavengers of easier, more vulnerable targets within a flock.
Crows Are Opportunistic Omnivores
Crows are classified as omnivores, meaning their diet is extremely varied and includes both plant and animal matter. Their natural diet consists of grains, nuts, berries, insects, carrion, and the eggs and young of other bird species. This flexibility means they constantly search for the easiest and most calorie-dense food sources available.
The threat to a chicken flock stems from this opportunistic nature, not from a specialized predatory instinct. Crows are intelligent problem-solvers that quickly learn the routines of a chicken keeper and identify accessible food, such as spilled feed or unguarded nests. Their superior memory allows them to bypass simple deterrents and return to a reliable food source.
They also feed on sick or injured birds, acting as scavengers rather than hunters. Since a crow is only about one pound, conflict with a multi-pound adult hen or rooster is a high-risk proposition they instinctively avoid. The danger they pose is rooted in convenience and the ease of obtaining high-value nutrients.
The Primary Targets: Eggs and Chicks
The primary concern for poultry owners is the crow’s habit of preying on eggs and newly hatched chicks. Chicks are particularly vulnerable due to their small size, lack of defensive capabilities, and inability to escape aerial attacks. Crows target chicks in brooders or those free-ranging without constant adult supervision, often carrying them off in their beaks.
Eggs are a tempting target because they are stationary and packed with high-quality protein and fat. Crows locate eggs laid in unguarded areas, such as hidden nests or exposed laying boxes. To consume the contents, a crow may pierce the shell and carry the egg away, or break it open on a hard surface.
Once crows discover eggs, they quickly become habitual thieves, sometimes working in groups to raid a coop. They learn the best times to strike, typically when human activity is low and nesting boxes are full. The loss of eggs and young birds represents the most significant impact crows have on a domestic flock.
Practical Deterrence Strategies
Protecting a flock involves eliminating easy access to preferred targets and food sources. One effective structural solution is covering the chicken run with wire netting or hardware cloth. This overhead barrier prevents crows from landing inside the enclosure and swooping down to snatch chicks or feed.
The second strategy is to reduce the availability of eggs by implementing a strict collection schedule. Collecting eggs multiple times a day removes the incentive for a crow to visit the area. Using roll-away nesting boxes can also hide eggs from view immediately after they are laid, further deterring the birds.
Finally, visual and behavioral deterrents can disrupt a crow’s sense of safety. Hanging reflective items like old CDs, aluminum pie plates, or specialized reflective tape around the coop can confuse and disorient them. These items should be moved regularly, as a crow’s intelligence allows them to quickly habituate to static scare devices. Securing all chicken feed in treadle feeders or keeping it inside the coop also prevents crows from being attracted to the location in the first place.