Wildlife

Wild Bird: Barn Owl Rodenticide Risks

Secondary rodenticide poisoning kills thousands of barn owls annually in the UK, and management of rodenticide use is essential for owl welfare.

Key Facts

Barn owls are highly susceptible to secondary rodenticide poisoning from eating poisoned prey
Studies find rodenticide residues in the majority of barn owls tested post-mortem in agricultural areas
Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) accumulate through the food chain
Alternatives to SGARs including first-generation products have lower secondary poisoning risk
Non-chemical rodent control including exclusion and trapping can reduce rodenticide need

Welfare Considerations

Secondary rodenticide poisoning causes anticoagulant-induced internal haemorrhage that is prolonged and distressing. The widespread contamination of the barn owl population with rodenticide residues represents a significant but largely invisible welfare harm - barn owls may have sub-lethal accumulations that impair immune function and reproductive success before causing clinical disease.

What You Can Do

Use first-generation rodenticides (alphachloralose, bromadiolone) rather than SGARs where possible
Implement non-chemical rodent control including exclusion and snap traps as primary methods
Use rodenticides only as a last resort and according to label requirements
Submit barn owl casualties for testing and data collection
Support campaigns for stricter regulation of SGAR use near barn owl territories