But I can't prove it.
My neighbors hate my farm. The same farm that was here long before most of those neighbors bought their houses across the street from me. I have been in[ected and visited by every official from the State and town, several times, and was found to be within all laws and rules and standards. My animals are all fat and healthy.
I had hens, but trying to be a nice neighbor, I did not have roos. That all ceased last fall when the neighbors cat killed one of my layers. Because it was a solid black cat, I didn't know which if the 3 neighbors who owned black cats it belonged to so I couldn't do much. To protect my hens, I got a big, protective Barred Rock (cross) roo. He did great at keeping the cats away. However, he crows. He crows all day and most of the night. The coop is not too far from my bedroom window. After the first couple of nights, I don't really hear him any more. (I also got a bantam frizzle Cochin roo, but he is quiet most of the time)
So, last week I moved my chicken pens around. The adult chickens are divided up between 2 large chain link dog kennels. I had the 4 layers and the roo in one and the 2 Frizzle bantam Cochins and 2 Polish in the other.
To make sure I have no escapes, all the dog, goat, horse and chicken pens are extra securely latched. I use snaps under the latch on the chain link kennels for the chickens and dogs so the handle cannot be opened by non-human critters.
Before I go to work each afternoon, I make one final round to make sure ALL the gates are locked. I do this without fail.
So, imagine my surprise when I came home from work the other night (2330 hrs) to find the layers gate open wide and the snap gone. Even more surprising is the fact that the 4 hens were sleeping in their little hen house, but the roo was gone. I looked all over for him... MIA.
Then I saw the evidence...I found 4 barred feathers (he being the only barred bird on the place) in the driveway, in a trail leading to the road. Hmmmmm......not exactly furry or feathered predator behavior or signs. In all the other attacks, there have been feathers everywhere, like an explosion. That, combined with the fact that it was just the roo and the snap/lock was missing leads me to believe that it was the 2 legged, human type of pest that got my poor Roo.
I called my local ACO, who also happenes to be the chief Constable in town. We are playing phone tag at the moment but he is very familiar with the problems and harassment I have had from my neighbors and will take this very seriously.
I guess the hunt for a new roo is on, or maybe I will wait until later this fall when the windows are closed. sigh. He was such a gorgeous roo, all bars with a few splotches of deep red.
Human predators are the worst. Too bad I can't shoot them.
My neighbors hate my farm. The same farm that was here long before most of those neighbors bought their houses across the street from me. I have been in[ected and visited by every official from the State and town, several times, and was found to be within all laws and rules and standards. My animals are all fat and healthy.
I had hens, but trying to be a nice neighbor, I did not have roos. That all ceased last fall when the neighbors cat killed one of my layers. Because it was a solid black cat, I didn't know which if the 3 neighbors who owned black cats it belonged to so I couldn't do much. To protect my hens, I got a big, protective Barred Rock (cross) roo. He did great at keeping the cats away. However, he crows. He crows all day and most of the night. The coop is not too far from my bedroom window. After the first couple of nights, I don't really hear him any more. (I also got a bantam frizzle Cochin roo, but he is quiet most of the time)
So, last week I moved my chicken pens around. The adult chickens are divided up between 2 large chain link dog kennels. I had the 4 layers and the roo in one and the 2 Frizzle bantam Cochins and 2 Polish in the other.
To make sure I have no escapes, all the dog, goat, horse and chicken pens are extra securely latched. I use snaps under the latch on the chain link kennels for the chickens and dogs so the handle cannot be opened by non-human critters.
Before I go to work each afternoon, I make one final round to make sure ALL the gates are locked. I do this without fail.
So, imagine my surprise when I came home from work the other night (2330 hrs) to find the layers gate open wide and the snap gone. Even more surprising is the fact that the 4 hens were sleeping in their little hen house, but the roo was gone. I looked all over for him... MIA.
Then I saw the evidence...I found 4 barred feathers (he being the only barred bird on the place) in the driveway, in a trail leading to the road. Hmmmmm......not exactly furry or feathered predator behavior or signs. In all the other attacks, there have been feathers everywhere, like an explosion. That, combined with the fact that it was just the roo and the snap/lock was missing leads me to believe that it was the 2 legged, human type of pest that got my poor Roo.
I called my local ACO, who also happenes to be the chief Constable in town. We are playing phone tag at the moment but he is very familiar with the problems and harassment I have had from my neighbors and will take this very seriously.
I guess the hunt for a new roo is on, or maybe I will wait until later this fall when the windows are closed. sigh. He was such a gorgeous roo, all bars with a few splotches of deep red.
Human predators are the worst. Too bad I can't shoot them.
