Washingtonians - Page 8422  

I have evidence of an egg eater in my coop. It's not all the time, but every so often I will find an egg that someone has started to peck the end of, once or twice I found an egg with a hole on one end and the insides gone, and once I caught my girls all going after one of these emptied eggs on the floor.

Any ideas on how to catch the perpetrator? I've heard of the trick of putting mustard-filled eggs in the coop to give the thief a nasty surprise, but I don't know how well it works. I know to up the girls' protein and calcium to help prevent this, and I also collect the eggs regularly. Other thoughts?

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyRobinFly 

I have evidence of an egg eater in my coop. It's not all the time, but every so often I will find an egg that someone has started to peck the end of, once or twice I found an egg with a hole on one end and the insides gone, and once I caught my girls all going after one of these emptied eggs on the floor.

 

Any ideas on how to catch the perpetrator? I've heard of the trick of putting mustard-filled eggs in the coop to give the thief a nasty surprise, but I don't know how well it works. I know to up the girls' protein and calcium to help prevent this, and I also collect the eggs regularly. Other thoughts?

Oh no!  That is one thing I fear.  I wouldn't have a clue how to break the habit.  I'd try the mustard trick - maybe use a very hot mustard (as long as hot mustard won't injure a bird).

What kind of predator bird would be light grey with a white tail and would come down to attack my chickens at 5:45 p.m.?

My girls just missed disaster.  I saw the large bird from the side, but did not see it's head.

We have owls, hawks, and my neighbor said we have 2 bald eagles that live in a tree across the street on the cliff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsren 

SadieSue... sorry I missed meeting you at the auction.

 

I met CR and his sweet wife, JustBugged, T-Hi, Rainwolf and Mama Wolf.  CR, his wife, T-Hi, her man, myself and my 3 kids had a wonderful conversation over lunch.  It was great to meet all of you.  They were all sweet to my 3 lil' munchkins.  I appreciate that!

 

So - it is true - VERY TRUE... CR is a master at rustlin'!  He managed to rustle a cell phone off the waitress, right in front of me, and neither I nor the waitress even noticed!  I think the poor waitress was shocked when she got her cell phone back.

 

First- I SO wish I could have come!!! We had such a busy day, although it was fun, but the whole morning I was wishing I wasn't driving all over doing different stuff; desperately wanted to meet y'all and come see the auction!

I was laughing my butt off reading that story in the car on my phone Renee; can't wait to meet everyone including CR ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsren 

What kind of predator bird would be light grey with a white tail and would come down to attack my chickens at 5:45 p.m.?

 

My girls just missed disaster.  I saw the large bird from the side, but did not see it's head.

 

We have owls, hawks, and my neighbor said we have 2 bald eagles that live in a tree across the street on the cliff.

Could have been an eagle or owl. Wowza, good thing you were there!

I gotta tell ya... we couldn't find Rhodie for a bit.  I started crying.  After we found her, my sweet little girl ran up to me, gave me a big hug, and said in the most adult voice I've heard out of her "It's OK Mommy, the most important thing is that they are still alive."  Such a lil' sweetie!

Maybe I missed an answer so excuse me for asking again, but I'm wondering when everyone sets their coop light timers for in the winter?

Mmmm....I have to taut the benefits of my 5-HTP again. Sorry to beat a dead horse, but it's seriously been helping me function so much better than I have in the last 6 years. I'm actually excited to cook for my famiily again. We're smoking some bone-in pork chops on the Traeger right now, and I'm making dairy free mashed potatoes too, despite the starches, we still enjoy potatoes sometimes. I'm so thankful to be feeling better again so I can take better care of my family.

Do Goshawks live around here?  It looked a lot like this:  http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/g/goshawk/videos.aspx