Problem solved!!!

I have been trying to re home 4 roosters for the last 6 months with no luck, so this weekend I solved the problem..... I ordered enough pullets to offset the rooster to hen ratio of my flock. I ordered 30 of ideals surprise special pullets. so right now I have 6 roosters to 17 hens, the extra 30 should be enough don't you think?

The reason I have so many roosters to hens is because I have lost at least 10 hens to predators this year, probably more. I have a huge raccoon/possum problem. I have killed 3 raccoons and 1 possum plus I know of 1 possum and 3 raccoons who got away. plus the chickens I just find dead in the morning and don't know what happened. I went to the chicken house on Friday and there was a small possum in the pen. He went out a hole no more than 4 inches wide. Straight through the fence I could barely even fit my hand through the hole and I have very small hands. Its ridicules. The one That was killed ( raccoon) actually Broke through the roof of the chicken house...'Anyone else notice that they always seem to get the hens instead of the roosters. sorry for rambling. so........

This is my first time with mail ordered chicks. They are supposed to ship wed. so I have a couple of questions.



What time do they usually arrive at the post office?
Has anyone else ordered the surprise special pullets? Is it a good deal or not?

They usually arrive early in the morning. Maybe you should get a dog or something that will eat/kill any raccoon or possum around. I'd definitely start putting stronger fencing and stuff around the chickens. I've never ordered a special before. Maybe you should get a really mean roo and guinea to protect the flock, but they wouldn't be able to at night.....

The fencing is welded wire, the kind usually used for chicken pens. Not sure what would be better. The roof is tin. I have an Australian cattle dog, but she is not allowed out alone. People around here make a habit of shooting other peoples dogs. I had one about ten years ago who was shot by my neighbor/ uncle (%@!#$&&%$#) Whom I really,really hate. While it was in our yard. Because it was in our yard barking at him. I also think, Have no proof though, That the (@##@!%%$#^) shot and killed my cat last month. He has killed a lot of animals over the years his own and everyone elses. And then theres the road.. So I can't let her out.

Oh no! Poor dog! (and cat) Maybe you could double wire it?

The 2 orders I got from Ideal this year both arrived after the PO opened in the morning. I did not get the surprise pullets but I think you will likely get birds that will turn out to be very good to excellent layers. I like my Ideal birds.You could try putting hardware cloth outside of the wire that is what I did for my bantam pen so snakes could not get in. I lost 4 hens, 3 ducks, and 3 goslings to ?. I suspect a person could have been guilty, One hen was slashed from neck to leg in one straight line and the remains were not eaten and had no teeth marks and the other 3 disappeared, all 3 ducks disappeared, and the 3 goslings were all dead side by side and were not eaten and had no wounds except one had a mark on the neck where the gate was on top of it. The gate was closed and the birds were inside.

RareDuck said:

The 2 orders I got from Ideal this year both arrived after the PO opened in the morning. I did not get the surprise pullets but I think you will likely get birds that will turn out to be very good to excellent layers. I like my Ideal birds.You could try putting hardware cloth outside of the wire that is what I did for my bantam pen so snakes could not get in. I lost 4 hens, 3 ducks, and 3 goslings to ?. I suspect a person could have been guilty, One hen was slashed from neck to leg in one straight line and the remains were not eaten and had no teeth marks and the other 3 disappeared, all 3 ducks disappeared, and the 3 goslings were all dead side by side and were not eaten and had no wounds except one had a mark on the neck where the gate was on top of it. The gate was closed and the birds were inside.

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Oh that horrible! Maybe you should put a lock on your run and coop?