Quick Answer
Turkey vultures generally do not go after live, healthy chickens. Turkey vultures are scavengers that primarily feed on dead and decaying animals. However, there are some exceptions when turkey vultures may try to prey on live chickens:
- Young, weak, sick or injured chickens that cannot defend themselves properly may be targeted by turkey vultures.
- Hunger – in times of famine or food scarcity, turkey vultures may be more likely to go after live prey like chickens.
- Nesting season – adult turkey vultures may attack chickens to feed their young.
- Predatory instinct – some individual turkey vultures may develop a taste for live prey.
Properly housing and caring for chickens will deter most turkey vultures. Protective measures like netting enclosures, removing sick/dead animals, and supervising small chickens can help avoid predation. Overall the risk is low, but not non-existent.
Do Turkey Vultures Eat Chickens?
Turkey vultures are scavenging birds that primarily eat dead and decaying animals. Their diet consists mainly of carrion like roadkill, animals that died of disease or injury, afterbirths, and carcasses left by other predators. Turkey vultures find food using their excellent sense of smell and sight. They soar high in the air searching for carcasses and can detect the gases emitted during decomposition from up to a mile away.
Turkey vultures prefer to eat carrion rather than hunt live prey because it requires less energy expenditure. They have weak feet and talons compared to birds of prey like hawks, eagles and falcons that are adapted for hunting and killing. Turkey vultures also lack the sharp hooked beak typical of avian predators. Their beaks are slightly hooked but optimized for tearing rotting meat off carcasses.
So in general, turkey vultures do not actively hunt down and kill live animals like chickens. But they can be opportunistic and may attack vulnerable chickens in certain situations.
When Turkey Vultures May Go After Live Chickens
Here are some examples of when turkey vultures are more likely to prey on chickens:
- Young, sick or injured chickens – Baby chicks and chickens that are weak, sick or have an injury are more vulnerable to turkey vulture attacks. They have difficulty running away or fighting back.
- Hunger and scarcity – In times of famine or when carrion sources are scarce, turkey vultures may be emboldened to go after live prey like chickens to survive.
- Nesting and rearing young – Adult turkey vultures require extra nutrition when nesting and feeding their young. The increased energy demands may lead them to supplement their diet with live chickens.
- Developing a taste – Occasionally some individual turkey vultures develop a preference for attacking live animals even when carrion is available.
- Opportunistic – Turkey vultures may seize any opportunity to eat chickens that are unprotected, unattended or easy targets.
So while turkey vultures eating live chickens is relatively uncommon, it does happen in the wild. Chicken owners need to be aware of the risk and take appropriate precautions.
How Turkey Vultures Hunt and Attack Chickens
Turkey vultures have a particular style of attacking live prey that differs from true birds of prey. Here are some characteristics of how turkey vultures hunt chickens:
- Turkey vultures often go after lone chickens that stray away from the flock and coop area.
- They typically rely on surprise attacks rather than high speed chases and rapid maneuvering in the air.
- Turkey vultures use their wings and feet to knock chickens to the ground where they then use their beak to tear at the chicken.
- They often target the rear and underside of chickens first before eating them.
- Turkey vultures lack the powerful talons of hawks and eagles capable of killing prey quickly.
- It often takes them a long time to kill chickens once caught, unlike efficient predators.
- Scavenging instincts lead them to start eating chickens right away even if they are still alive.
- They may return to feed on a chicken carcass multiple times over several days.
So turkey vultures are not very effective or efficient hunters compared to true predatory birds. But they can still catch and consume chickens, especially ones that are vulnerable in some way.
Signs of Turkey Vulture Attacks on Chickens
Some indications that turkey vultures may be preying on chickens include:
- Partially eaten chicken carcasses, often starting from the rear.
- Bruising, pecking wounds or slashes on chickens.
- Feathers plucked and scattered around.
- Sightings of turkey vultures stalking or circling over the chickens.
- Disappearance of lone chickens or chicks from the flock.
- A decline in the overall chicken population.
Taking note of these warning signs can help chicken owners identify and address a turkey vulture threat before too much damage occurs.
How to Protect Chickens from Turkey Vultures
There are several methods chicken owners can use to try and protect their flock from turkey vultures:
House Chickens in Enclosed Coops and Runs
Keep chickens in well-built enclosed coops and runs, especially smaller breeds and baby chicks that are most vulnerable. The structures should have wire overhangs and netting to prevent entry from above. Bring chickens into fully covered runs or coops at night when turkey vultures hunt.
Use Protective Netting
Cover outdoor areas where chickens roam with netting. Suspended overhead netting can prevent turkey vultures from swooping down from above. Make sure netting holes are too small for vultures to get their heads through.
Supervise and Attend Chickens
Actively supervise and attend chickens when they are let out in open areas. Turkey vultures are less likely to attack when humans are nearby. Keep young chicks close and do not allow chickens to roam too far alone.
Remove Dead Animals and Waste
Eliminate any dead livestock or poultry that could attract turkey vultures. Also remove general organic waste, compost piles and afterbirth material from the property. This reduces appeal to scavenging vultures.
Use Deterrent Devices
Motion-activated sprinklers, flashing lights, and predator decoys can help startle and frighten away turkey vultures. Loud music or sounds may also deter them from attempting attacks.
Scare and Chase Off Vultures
Act aggressively to scare away any turkey vultures observed loitering near the chickens. Make loud noises, wave arms, spray with a hose or throw objects to chase them off and teach them to avoid the area.
Use Guard Animals
Some guard dogs, donkeys and llamas can be effective at deterring turkey vultures from approaching chickens if they exhibit aggressive behaviors towards the birds.
Risk Level to Chickens
Overall the risk turkey vultures pose to most chicken flocks is relatively low compared to true predatory birds and mammals. Some key factors when assessing the turkey vulture threat:
- Turkey vultures mainly scavenge and do not typically hunt down live, healthy chickens.
- Attacks are most likely on vulnerable chickens – chicks, small breeds, sick/injured.
- Individual vultures rather than large flocks are the greatest risk.
- The presence of ample carrion reduces the need to hunt chickens.
- Chicken attacks increase during breeding season and when food is scarce.
- Free-ranging chickens are most at risk, less threat to confined chickens.
- Good coop facilities, netting and supervision provide effective protection.
So the risk to a well-managed chicken flock is quite low in most cases. But it is worth being aware of the potential threat and taking reasonable precautions, especially for small and vulnerable chickens.
Comparison to Other Chicken Predators
It is useful to compare the relative threat of turkey vultures to chickens with other common chicken predators:
Mammals (foxes, coyotes, etc.)
Mammalian predators like foxes often pose a high risk level to chickens. They are capable hunters designed to chase down live prey. Mammal predators are able to dig under or chew through coops and typically target multiple chickens in a single attack.
Birds of Prey (hawks, eagles, owls)
True predatory birds are very effective hunters of chickens. They utilize speed, aerial agility and sharp talons to swiftly kill chickens even under supervision. Birds of prey often pick off multiple chickens in recurring attacks.
Feral Cats and Dogs
Feral and uncontrolled dogs and cats can easily catch and kill chickens. They have strong hunting instincts and skills for catching live prey. Chickens of all sizes may be targeted in repeated attacks.
Snakes
Some species of snakes like rat snakes readily feed on chickens and eggs. They typically constrict chickens causing suffocation. Snakes can slip into small openings and under barriers.
Raccoons
Raccoons are adept chicken predators that hunt at night and can find ways to breach coops. They often maim or kill multiple chickens in an attack to feed both themselves and their young.
In comparison to these predators, the scavenging turkey vulture rates lower on the threat scale in most situations. But vultures can still occasionally prey on chickens, so smart precautions are warranted.
Conclusion
Turkey vultures are primarily scavengers that eat dead and decaying animals rather than hunting live prey. However, they may opportunistically attack and feed on chickens in some cases, especially weak, small or unprotected chickens. While not as threatening as some predators, turkey vultures can still be a concern for chicken keepers. Taking preventative measures like housing chickens securely, supervising them, and deterring vultures can help minimize the risks. Most chicken flocks will not suffer much turkey vulture predation if properly managed, but it is still a possibility worth being vigilant about.
