chicken scraps for raptors?

MB Lacey

I heard someone saying that they put out chicken scraps (from a roast chicken dinner) in their garden and ended up getting sparrowhawks feeding from their garden.

Would the cooked chicken be ok to leave out for the raptors since they'd only really be used to raw meat?

Thanks

Rainbowsend

I think you will be more likely to entice rats with cooked stuff :eek:

MB Lacey

that's pretty much what I thought too, but she seems to reguarly have the sparrowhawk feeding now..

Rainbowsend

Guess she was lucky, if a sparrowhawk was in the area and happened upon food twice or three times then it would probably come round (if it is local) to see if there is food there, and it would keep the rats away anyway

Tiercel Dave

NEVER feed any bird of prey cooked meat/chicken. Added to the fact that it will cause digestive disorders, the bones will be brittle after the cooking, and there is the real possibility of them puncturing the 'crop' and causing a lingering death. Dave

MB Lacey

Thanks for a definite Dave, I didn't think it could be healthy which is why I posted up here.

trebor28

Tiercel Dave wrote: »

NEVER feed any bird of prey cooked meat/chicken. Added to the fact that it will cause digestive disorders, the bones will be brittle after the cooking, and there is the real possibility of them puncturing the 'crop' and causing a lingering death. Dave

they wouldnt eat bones would they??

or do you mean if the ate them by accident?

Feargal as Luimneach

MB Lacey wrote: »

Thanks for a definite Dave, I didn't think it could be healthy which is why I posted up here.

x2 A good thing to know....

Tiercel Dave

Both Hawks and Falcons eat the bones of their prey. They tend to work away at the joints so that when the bone is swallowed the ends are not sharp. Their digestive system is strong enough to dissolve bones hence their castings contain only fur/feather. Owls, on the other hand, have a weaker system and cast up bones, skulls etc. along with fur/feather. Dave