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Predators choose breeds to eat??

post #1 of 4
8/10/12 at 12:43am
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Last year my chicken coop door was left open and all 16 of my hens escaped into the yard. We were away for that evening and didn't come home until about 11:00 that night. Our dogs (and the neighbor's dogs) were able to pick off the chickens one by one until only 8 remained. When we came home, we caught and secured the dogs and then went looking for survivors. Strangely enough we only lost Silver Laced Wyandottes. We had (and still have) 7 Plymouth Barred Rocks and 1 Black Australorp. They're all about the same size, age, and temperament. Why were my Wyandottes targeted?? Are they not as smart? My Australorp found a nice perch in a tree and the Barred Rocks were scattered in safe places about my yard. Where did the Wyandottes go?

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post #2 of 4
8/10/12 at 1:24am

We suffered a raccoon attack and they also only took our Black and White chickens (a silver spangled hamburg and 2 silver laced wyandottes) I think it may be that the white markings are easier to see in the dark

Chickens- 3 GLW, 3 Red Stars, 3 White rocks, 1 Blue Andalusian, 2 Australorps, 3 Rhode Island Reds, 2 Welsummers, 1 White Wyandotte, 1 Silver spangled hamburg, 1 Exchequre leghorn, 2 EE, 2 Buff Orpingtons, 1 barnyard mix and a Buff Silkie

(we were going to start small LOL)

 

2 Black Shetland sheep

2 Pygmy goats

3 Pekin ducks

1 (Black) Blue Swedish duck

1 Ball python

2 dogs and 2 cats

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Chickens- 3 GLW, 3 Red Stars, 3 White rocks, 1 Blue Andalusian, 2 Australorps, 3 Rhode Island Reds, 2 Welsummers, 1 White Wyandotte, 1 Silver spangled hamburg, 1 Exchequre leghorn, 2 EE, 2 Buff Orpingtons, 1 barnyard mix and a Buff Silkie

(we were going to start small LOL)

 

2 Black Shetland sheep

2 Pygmy goats

3 Pekin ducks

1 (Black) Blue Swedish duck

1 Ball python

2 dogs and 2 cats

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post #3 of 4
8/10/12 at 4:21am

Chickens can vary in terms of behavoir once flushed from roost.  Some in low light hunker down and do not move, some fly up into / onto what ever they can see, and yet others simply mill around slowly as if predators not even present.  Some of variation is a function of breed, age and stage in life-cycle.

Make every effort to understand your chicken's biology and the environment that supports it.
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Make every effort to understand your chicken's biology and the environment that supports it.
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post #4 of 4
8/10/12 at 8:07am

I've prevented stray dog attacks and observed what the chickens do. Mine do nothing while the dogs approach, like the chickens have no clue the dogs are predators, they only start running when the first one gets bit.
 

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