Recent content by Greg in Carpinteria

  1. Greg in Carpinteria

    BOBCAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I've had plenty of bobcat issues over the years and a couple of hot wires strung about 8" and 40" outside of the fence have done the trick. If your fence is welded wire or other metal construction, connect the negative lead from your grounding rod to the fence, this eliminates the need for...
  2. Greg in Carpinteria

    Ferrets? Should I be concerned?

    They actually are illegal to possess in California (with good reason) and must be smuggled in from out of state.
  3. Greg in Carpinteria

    Marek's vaccine and broody raised chicks

    Thanks for the reply, Ridgerunner. I'm looking into in ovo vaccination, most of what I have found deals with automated systems used in commercial production although the procedure seems simple enough if one can avoid sticking the embryo and can effectively reseal the hole. It sounds like the...
  4. Greg in Carpinteria

    Marek's vaccine and broody raised chicks

    Hi All, Is vaccine effective on broody raised chicks? Several years ago I lost a number of birds to Marek's and have subsequently vaccinated all my chicks right out of the incubator, there have been no Marek's symptoms in any of my birds since. I've got my first batch of chicks being...
  5. Greg in Carpinteria

    Freaking bears!

    I have had bear issues in the past and added a hot wire to my fence, strung 8" and 4' off the ground. It seems to be working, the bear still comes around but the only thing he is eating now are avocados. Good luck with whatever approach you take.
  6. Greg in Carpinteria

    Barb wire and bobcats...

    My area has a very healthy population of bobcats. I've lost more chickens to them than all other predators combined, and they are very efficient predators who are always watching and waiting for that opportunity. Shooting is not an effective long term strategy as another one will move into the...
  7. Greg in Carpinteria

    fish-how do you feed chickens fish

    I only give my birds carcasses of marine fish, and just chuck the whole thing in the run, often the carcasses are from pretty big fish (like 50-100+ pounds tuna) and the chickens ravenously reduce them to bones in a few days, then continue to pick away at them until there isn't much left but a...
  8. Greg in Carpinteria

    My brave cockerel charged a fox!!

    It's great when a brave roo like yours protects the girls! I'm glad he's still with you. They are truly fearless, and quite intimidating with their hackles up. I've had a few brave ones that did the same with hawks, I never had any hawk trouble on their watch. Unfortunately a couple have...
  9. Greg in Carpinteria

    What WEIRD treats do your chickens like?

    Mine love fish carcasses, after I fillet a tuna, yellowtail, seabass or what ever, I chuck the head and rack of bones into the run and they go after it like little dinosaurs, everything is pecked clean before it has a chance to smell. I figure it is high quality protein and loaded with omega-3.
  10. Greg in Carpinteria

    Are pomegranates OK for chickens to eat?

    Same here, I also chuck all of the overripe, split fruit in the coop and they absolutely love them.
  11. Greg in Carpinteria

    automatic door for chickens,advise needed

    I've had this one for over 2 years and couldn't be happier with it. http://www.chickendoors.com/ It's easy to install and program, and very sturdy with all metal construction. Mine has been tested by just about every predator short of a bear with no issues at all
  12. Greg in Carpinteria

    Didn't realize Im not suppose to give avocados

    My flock free ranges in an avocado orchard, they eat a lot of avos and it just gives them very shiny plumage. I wouldn't worry about it. Hass avos are supposed to be low in the persin toxin, that's what my birds are eating.
  13. Greg in Carpinteria

    11 week old roo... too early to introduce to the older girls?

    Hi Everybody, I'm looking to alleviate crowding in my bachelor tractor and was wondering if 11 wks old is still too young to introduce to my 5 layers. The lucky roo in question is a BCM, fairly large already, and is doing his best to crow like a big boy. Thanks
  14. Greg in Carpinteria

    What is the most common predator POLL

    Probably 80% of my losses are due to bobcats, it seems like they are always watching, coyotes are #2.
  15. Greg in Carpinteria

    what's your best knife for the deed?

    When I'm not messing with chickens, I'm a commercial fisherman and have a wide assortment of knives. For years I have used this short wide bladed Dexter Russell knife to bleed tuna, and I've found it to be very efficient, humane and effective at dispatching chickens. I do think that a properly...
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