Boomer and I have been seeing and hearing those wily coyotes quite a bit lately. Ever since we did some night singing with them, they have been, hum, well, L.O.U.D! They have even been right in the fields between Hank’s house and our place.
I guess we shouldn’t have mocked them the other night. (It was fun.)
We’ve been real silent when we hear and see them in the fields close by…the last thing Boomer and I want (and Sammy the Cat) is those wild yellowed-eyed mean ‘ol coyotes coming on INTO the yard, ours or Hanks!
I think the main reason they are so close, so very close, so very, very, very close it is uncomfortable is the new calves popping up all over the place.
The other new predators we have are the ravens and the crows. Mom’s been trying to get a photo of the two of them (the ravens and the crows), but they are slick, slick, slick. Just as soon as she gets close enough to take a photo they fly off.
Now the reason we don’t want the ravens and the crows hanging around is the same reason we don’t want the coyotes….the brand new baby calves.
You see ravens and crows love nothing more than to eat eyeballs. And if they can peck-out a newborn’s eyeball and smack it down for a delicious little lunch, then by golly they do. The Mom cows are pretty good about taking care of the new little kidlets, but still all in all those huge black birds are a danger.
Boomer and I run out into the field whenever we see the huge black birds hopping alongside a new born calf, barking and baying. They flutter up with in a swoosh and then settle right back down. But if we have done a good job, the Momma cow has moved in even closer so we dogs can’t get up by the baby. Or she has run off down the field with the calf, either way we hope the birds leave.
They really aren’t afraid…the birds, I mean. They just fly up a short ways in the air, then settle back down after we turn around and leave.
It took Mom and Dad a little while to figure out we weren’t trying to chase the cows…..I WOULD NEVER CHASE A COW IN MY LIFE—–I AM A COW DOG!!!!! And Boomer?! Well, Boomer just runs along doing whatever I do, so he is basically harmless. When they yell at us to get back into the yard… NOW! We hurry back as fast as our legs can takes us. Then I look at Mom and Dad with indignation and hurt written all over my face. Boomer just smiles and swaps his tail on the ground in a most sincere way. (I can’t whap my tail as I only have a tiny little short one).
Since we seem to be having lots of predator activity Dad talked to the Government Hunter and Trapper. He said there have been a slew of complaints about the coyotes, the fox and the ravens. He said they are working to thin down the populations in the draws surrounding us for about 5 miles in both directions. So I guess we just wait and be very vigilant.
Boomer says we have to stay vigilant and valiant, Hank says he will help.
Mom said, “You boys, you just take care of your yard— the rest of the farm, the draws, the swamp, and the hillsides are up to the rancher, who is renting out our place for his first year heifers, the government hunter and Dad.”
I agreed, the 4 acres of yard, sheds, and barns are enough for Boomer and me.
Fuzzy
Life on a Colorado Farm 
You guys have your work cut out for you. We rarely see ravens here, and our crows haven’t yet learned to bother calves. However, turkey vultures will pester the little ones until they hide under things to get away from them. We have come to hate them…poor little babies.
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You two boys are really smart knowing when enough is enough.
Ain’t nature grand. I’ve never seen what is described here and that’s just fine.
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It sounds like you and Boomer have important work to do. Keep up the good work.
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The calves are SO cute. No wonder you want to protect them. It sounds like you are making the whole state of Colorado safe from predators.
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I’d heard that about lamb’s eyes, but didn’t realize they’d go after calves too :-o.
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Scary. Hope you get some help. Have a wonderful weekend!
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You are fine dogs, Fuzzy and Boomer. You have taught me something again. I had never heard about the ravens and eyes of the calves. Ugh, that’s awful!! Take care of yourselves!!
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Magpies are as bad as crows to photograph…..makes one wonder if they’ve been chased or shot at 😉
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Fuzzy, I was glad to hear that you and Boomer were keeping such a good eye out for the calves, but I agree that you probably have enough to do taking care of the yard. I hope the coyotes stay away.
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You boys sound like you have been doing a good job protecting those pretty calves. But, I know, you have to listen to Mom and Dad! My Mom had a surprise yesterday with some heifers coming to visit from the neighbors farm. I liked them…I just barked at the Sheriff Deputy’s pick up until Mom came out of the house and saw the calves. The deputy was watching them until the owner could come get them.
Be careful around those coyotes!
Lucky
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Seriously? Will a raven attack a calf?
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Thanks for the question.
Sadly yes! Although, we understand the need for all species of animals, and try to live in harmony with them (by allowing them to just be—understanding that they have their place) when they start to destroy and maim our livestock and pets, then it becomes something else.
See here—-
Raptors
http://www.sheepscreek.com/rural/predator.html
Eagle talons leave distinctive puncture marks. Unlike a bear kill, the skeleton is intact; the head and neck remain attached. An eagle will frequently feed on the brain of a kill, along with meat from other portions of the carcass. Turkey vultures and buzzards are sometimes seen near a freshly dead lamb, but they are carrion-eaters, not predators; their relatively weak beaks and lack of talons leaves them incapable of grasping and killing prey; keyhole-shaped wounds in the head of a lamb are characteristic of turkey vultures. Turkey vultures and other carrion-eating birds are protected by law, and for good reason: by consuming carrion they prevent the spread of disease. Ravens will peck the head of an animal, then gouge out the eyes, ultimately killing the animal by fracturing the skull. Magpies have also been known to peck at the back of a sheep, just ahead of the pelvis, until the body cavity is open. Black-headed buzzards peck the eyes out of nannies and ewes when they are kidding/lambing, steal the newborn, and return for the carrion when the ewe or nanny dies.
More
Click to access USDANV.pdf
On March 18
th
, WS Derril Fry responded to a call regarding the loss of
five calves (loss valued at $2,500) to ravens. As the newborn calves
were born the ravens pecked their eyes out. WS Fry performed a site
visit and observed a large number of ravens near the site of the depredation event. WS Fry placed DRC-1339 treated eggs in the general vicinity
of the kill sites for the ravens. No further losses have been reported and
the cattle rancher was very pleased with the assistance he received from
WS Fry.
On March 24
WS Jager responded to a call from a cattle rancher in
southeastern White Pine County. The rancher had reported that ravens
had attacked several newborn calves. Two of the calves were so badly
injured that they did not survive the attacks. The value of the two calves
was placed at $1,000. On March 25
WS Jager placed out DRC-1339
treated eggs near the site of the predation incident. Several ravens were
removed bringing the damage to an end. The rancher was very pleased
with the service provided by Wildlife Services. WS Jager will continue to
monitor the area for more problems, managing them as they come.
http://thesurvivalpodcast.com/forum/index.php?topic=5735.0
I’m sure there are more places if you do a web search.
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Good job Fuzzy and Boomer!
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That’s so bad what those birds do – good job both of you. It was interesting to read what you had to say about what goes on. Out here in Australia, the crows make a pest of themselves with lambs.
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Glad you and Boomer are on patrol Fuzzy. Take care of the home place, those ‘yoties mean business. If you two can raise a ruckus when you know them bad boys are near, I’m sure the rancher will be glad you helped save those cute newborn calves. Just be carefull…Okay?
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You boys keep a good watch and howl if you see something..those poor baby calves..they have to be protected til they get bigger. ..they are real cute in the photos:)
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I live in Delta County too and its calving season. Let me know if you need someone with a .22 to take care of those ravens.
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