Barn Owl Welfare: Rodenticides and Habitat Loss

Barn owls face welfare threats from secondary rodenticide poisoning, road traffic mortality and the loss of the rough grassland habitats they depend on for hunting.

Key Facts

80% of barn owls tested in the UK show traces of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides in their livers
Barn owls need 2-3km of rough grassland to support a breeding pair throughout the year
Road traffic kills thousands of barn owls annually, particularly when hunting along road verges
Cold wet winters reduce vole populations — a barn owl's primary prey — causing winter starvation and breeding failure
UK barn owl population has stabilized at approximately 4,000-5,000 pairs following conservation efforts

Welfare Considerations

Barn owls face a cluster of human-caused welfare threats that illustrate the interconnected nature of wildlife welfare and agricultural practice. Rodenticide poisoning from eating contaminated prey causes internal hemorrhage and a slow death that may take days. The same agricultural intensification that reduces rodenticide-exposed prey populations also eliminates the rough grassland hunting habitat barn owls depend on. Road verges provide hunting habitat but expose hunting owls to vehicle strikes. Individual owl welfare — preventing poisoning deaths, reducing road mortality — and population welfare through habitat restoration are complementary goals that require coordinated action across agriculture, infrastructure and conservation.

What You Can Do

Avoid using second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides — they kill barn owls through secondary poisoning
Erect barn owl nest boxes in suitable locations following Barn Owl Trust guidance
Create or maintain rough grassland margins around fields as barn owl hunting habitat
Advocate for SGAR restrictions and mandatory wildlife impact assessments for rodenticide products