Barn Owl: Rodenticide Secondary Poisoning Welfare

Key Welfare Facts

Barn owls are among the most severely affected raptors by secondary anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning in the UK.
They accumulate brodifacoum and other second-generation anticoagulants by eating poisoned rodents over time.
Acute poisoning causes internal haemorrhage, weakness, respiratory distress, and slow death over hours to days.
Post-mortem studies consistently show significant rodenticide residue levels in over 70% of tested barn owls.
Welfare-positive rodent control alternatives including snap traps and exclusion significantly reduce raptor exposure.
Regulatory restrictions on second-generation anticoagulant availability are the highest-impact systemic intervention.

Welfare Assessment

Barn owl welfare is severely threatened by rodenticide secondary poisoning. Supporting restrictions on second-generation anticoagulants, advocating for welfare-positive alternatives in the agricultural sector, and participating in national monitoring directly improves individual barn owl welfare.

What You Can Do

Report any barn owl found dead or weak to the Barn Owl Trust for post-mortem testing
Switch to snap traps and bait stations with restricted access as alternatives to broadcast rodenticides
Advocate for restriction of second-generation anticoagulant availability to professionals only
Support barn owl nest box installation to maintain breeding populations despite mortality pressure