Feeding barn owl

Helpful info from the Barn owl Trust

www.barnowltrust.org.uk/.../

(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

I was thinking more when weather is bad? And possibly purchase frozen chicks or mice? Just worried of interfering in anything natural

In reply to Carlmcn:

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.

Mike

Flickr Peak Rambler

In reply to Carlmcn:

Linda's link is a good one as it's written by experts. If you are wary of clicking on links, the things to highlight from that website are:-
Artificially feeding a fully grown (fledged) wild Barn Owl is only practical if it roosts in an enclosed building, a nestbox, or a similarly deep natural cavity.
Dead, silent, unnaturally-coloured food items will only be taken if the owl discovers they are edible by accident.
Food items placed outdoors in the open will be taken by scavengers such as Magpies or Foxes.

Personally, I wouldn't be doing it, even if the first requirement above is met as it would likely encourage other foragers into roosting area. There's also the risk of human disturbance......

In reply to Mike B:

Yeah i have a decent understanding of what is what. I see several barn owls working the field beside my house. Last night one actually landed on the post just feet away from my window. Just thought it would be nice to provide some food. I will keep researching and yes probably contacting somebody more in the know would be good

Someone asked on another thread about sustainability. Just to pretend barn owl trust Linda gave you a link to an hour ago don't know what they're talking about..... let's pretend you leave defrosted prey out and a barn owl recognises it as food outside your window. Let's assume that it keeps alive the barn owls that every Winter die of starvation in your area. Is that sustainable and what happens that next breeding season with all those owls? The owls need to disperse so only a resident pair are there.

Ive witnessed last year a breeding pair in the area with 3 young. All have gone

So bottom line is dont feed them??

In reply to Carlmcn:

Carlmcn said:

Ive witnessed last year a breeding pair in the area with 3 young. All have gone

In a post a bit earlier you said that you see several barn owls working the field by your house. That means there is more than a breeding pair. I am no expert on barn owls, and only get tawnys here incl youngsters. I would definitely listen to barn owl trust though re them indirectly answering your question re feeding. I definitely wouldn't get involved with trying to help tawnys even though I know many young birds won't be alive this time next year. 

With climate change, the frequency of cold Winters is reducing. That may help owls survive. Then again, wetter weather may cancel much of that benefit out.