I read that chickens have names for us people, that they call out the names when they hear our door open or any indication we are coming closer. I certainly hear one loud hen screaming my name!
I had one young hen that began sleeping in nest box. I have a hen cam in my coop so could see what she was up to, so for 3 nights, I went out and removed her. She stopped. Couldn't block it as others were laying and since I installed my automatic door, didn't feel like going out in the morning...
I got a free used under refrigerator/freezer pan, white plastic, 2-4" lip about 4'x4'. Also have two other pans - one is shallow wood, other has 8" sides. My coop is kluged together out of whatever I could salvage. My egg laying boxes were plastic cat litter boxes.
Just want to say, I do understand the concept of not spreading the problem to others, but I cannot bring myself to kill a wild animal unless I am starving or it is fatally injured. But it is legal in my area to kill them if caught. Any suggestions? (Actually, since I predator proofed my coop -...
About catching skunks: I've relocated a few in other areas than where I now live - method is to hold up a tarp or moisture proof curtain when approaching trapped skunk, so it cannot see any part of you, and slowly drape it over the trap, lift and tuck so it encloses the trap, drive more than a...
I had an aggressive rooster wander into my back yard, let it stay for awhile till I was being attacked too much. So until I could arrange his adoption or incorporation into chicken soup, I made a chicken wire skirt to wear in the yard.
Don't know if it is the deterrent that works but I have one of those solar flashing red lights. It emulates the eye of a large predator and is said to make the smaller ones turn and run!
I only have skunks, coons and possums so far. Are the hens gotten during the day when out of coop?
If I opt to cover or close off the nests, that means all my work to install the automatic timed sliding entrance door is in vain if I have to go out there to cover and uncover nests. I guess moving her after dark is what I will try.
Hi again. Do you think using a open grid screen would be ok or is it better to have an opaque door? I have no way of locking it closed, saw a youtube where the guy had an arm that swang down with a pin at end to lock it in place, then upon opening, it rotated up to unlock. I think the cable was...
Thanks! I can't see the timer dial clearly enough which makes me think it may be different from mine. But I will test the settings you recommended. I'm in N. CA, Sonoma Co., an area where the predators don't come out till about 1 or 2 am, in my experience of having hens killed.