Hello. Looking for some advice on feeding our local barn owls. Is this a sensible idea? How to do this?
(Pardon the Scottish Accent)
I'm not so sure trying to feed barn owls is such a good idea.
A barn owls diet is typically small rodents, which they will hunt, so unless you want to keep and supply live small rodents, which you can buy, then it really isn't a good idea.
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
Carlmcn said:I was thinking more when weather is bad? And possibly purchase frozen chicks or mice? Just worried of interfering in anything natural
The biggest threat to barn owls, and all wildlife, is overdevelopment of the countryside, the incessant need to build houses etc. Left to their own devices, without their habitats being destroyed, which is a very big problem, habitat destruction that is, barn owls will survive
I doubt that would work. I'm no expert, but my guess is they would detect heat sources from live rodents and hunt them down. Only in captivity would feeding dead rodents that had been thawed out be of any use.
If the barn owls don't take the thawed out dead rodents, you could risk disturbing the natural balance with rotting carcasses.
What would be a better idea is to get involved with your local RSPB reserve or a local wildlife trust. They will often set up nest boxes and support the local wildlife, including barn owls is a very appropriate way.
You may even have an owl sanctuary nearby.