I will share something I found out has been used for a very long time to
protect chicken flocks. I have an oil painting of farm life with chickens being
the focal point. My ancestor painted it about 1915. It not only depicts
chickens but also a goose and a mallard duck. I have wondered for years about
this until I overheard my house cleaners talking about geese being kept to warn
chickens of predators being around. She said the chickens would then run to
their coop!
As far as black vultures are concerned I have heard they will peck the eyes of
newborn cattle. I know Tim Farmer keeps a dog especially bred that lives with
his sheep to protect them from predators. Donkeys can also be used. Some people
just like to be able to shoot at raptors!
Sent from AT&T Yahoo Mail for iPad
On Friday, January 5, 2024, 9:17 AM, Joyce Fry <joycefry1@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I read that Boswell ran uncontested! That may be much of our problem, as well.
“When nature is your reality and your home, every offense to nature feels
personal.” Joanne Price
On Jan 5, 2024, at 7:57 AM, ME <savealifespayneuter@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Couldn't agree more. As a state, we continue to elect ignorant individuals
year after year & expect them to make good decisions. Glad you attempted to
educate Senator Boswell.
The bill violates federal law & is unlikely to pass (thank goodness):
All raptors are protected in the US under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16
USC, 703-711). The Federal Law applies to all states.
On Fri, Jan 5, 2024 at 7:52 AM Joyce Fry <joycefry1@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
How and why do we elect such ignorant people to positions of power? Agh! I sent
an email to him, also, including some fifth grade eese scientific facts about
ecosystems, federal law, and history.
“When nature is your reality and your home, every offense to nature feels
personal.” Joanne Price
On Jan 5, 2024, at 7:41 AM, Samantha Engstrom <skengstrom@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Whoever on here said this was about one of his friend's losing chickens was
spot on.
On Fri, Jan 5, 2024, 7:00 AM andrew melnykovych <estiles74@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
This is what I received in response. Seems he has a limited knowledge of both
federal law and avian ecology.
Andrew Melnykovych
Louisville KY
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Boswell, Gary (State Sen.) (LRC) <gary.boswell@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, Jan 4, 2024, 11:44 PM
Subject: Re: Please withdraw SB 59
To: andrew melnykovych <estiles74@xxxxxxxxx>
Sir. What has happened to all our songbirds. You should know this. Don’t buy
“bad bird feed.” It’s the HAWKS! I could go on for hours with facts. Biden put
them back on protected list. I’m not proposing a season on hawks, just
control. Just one story. Hawks killed all of my friends 15 chickens in a 30 day
period and he can’t shoot the hawk to protect them. That’s absurd. Federal law?
Ky just violated with medical mj. Help me protect our songbirds ThxFrom:
andrew melnykovych <estiles74@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, January 4, 2024 2:21:50 PM
To: Boswell, Gary (State Sen.) (LRC)
Subject: Please withdraw SB 59 Dear Senator Boswell-
I am writing to urge you to withdraw Senate Bill 59, which addresses the
illegal killing of Cooper's Hawks and Red-tailed Hawks.
Both these species are protected under a federal law, The Migratory Bird Treaty
Act, which is enforced by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Removing
enforcement of the state prohibition on the killing of these species would move
all enforcement to the USFWS and expose violators to the federal penalties of
as much as $250,000 in fines and two years imprisonment per violation.
I understand that both these species of raptors occasionally take poultry.
However, any such damage is far offset by their predation on nuisance species
ranging from mice and starlings to groundhogs. Furthermore, a farmer who is
experiencing ongoing losses to these hawks has the option to apply for
depredation permit which could allow the taking of the problem bird.
Removing the state enforcement of protections for these species will serve as a
signal that it is open season on all hawks, when in fact nothing of the sort
would be the case. It might save a few chickens, but the overall effect would
be to remove predators that help keep in check the populations of undesirable
species.
I can assure you that the many thousands of birders and other bird enthusiasts
in Kentucky will be firmly opposed to this legislation. I can also assure you
that they make up a far larger share of your constituents than those who might
reap the highly questionable benefits of this legislation.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Andrew MelnykovychImmediate Past PresidentBeckham Bird Club
Louisville KY
--
"Each year almost 5,000,000 cats, dogs, puppies & kittens are euthanized in
United States shelters. Loving pets that died because there weren't enough
homes. Save lives, spay, neuter!"
"If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then
animals are better off than a lot of humans."
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