Recent content by James9222

  1. James9222

    What birds of prey attack chickens in Australia?

    Well crap! No issue on the magpies here but a python got into the 13 week old chicks coop and killed two hens out of six. I only found out it wasn't a disease when at 7pm the snake was back for more. I must say an 8 foot snake isn't fun to wrestle :/. We chicken owners go through a lot to keep...
  2. James9222

    What birds of prey attack chickens in Australia?

    Despite your chickens being afraid (which is in hindsight probably a good thing) they will eventually in my experience get back out there and just run when they see anything. The magpies could just be seeing your hens as a competitor for food especially if it is breeding season. You're right in...
  3. James9222

    What birds of prey attack chickens in Australia?

    It's always frustrating when one get's taken. I now am in a rural area which afford's me the opportunity to use a firearm to remove only pests. I didn't realize landowners were required to by law to actively remove them (introduced species only). I have had foxes attack my chickens and even...
  4. James9222

    What birds of prey attack chickens in Australia?

    Could have sworn i'd posted a response the same day as yours above, I tend to hit send/reply and toss the phone aside lol. Wow I have never heard of a magpie doing that. Are there any nesting sites around that could be making them protective? I used to feed magpies as a kid 20 years ago and...
  5. James9222

    What birds of prey attack chickens in Australia?

    Whilst i wouldn't put it past a bird any bigger than a hawk trying to attack your chickens the chances are slim. Typically hawks and smaller eagles will prey on birds from the size of sparrows to slightly smaller than magpies. It may be sad to say but since you have a lot of bird life in your...
  6. James9222

    Which is the best bedding to use for my baby chicks??

    I found pine shavings to work better than straw but not as good a sand. Straw needs to be changed more often than the other two, pine shavings put dust everywhere and sand is just the best.
  7. James9222

    6 Week Old Chicks Not Returning to Coop at Dusk

    I've had 6 week old's not return to the coop from the run. Baiting them in seems to work 99% of the time. Older chicks will tend to go in when they want
  8. James9222

    Moved chicks outside, why won't they leave the hen house?

    I was in the same situation a few weeks ago. With 17 week old pullets they wouldn't leave the coop to enter the run. 2 weeks later they are everywhere all the time. 6 week old chicks did the same thing. Took weeks to adapt. To help them along spend some time with them if possible, use treats and...
  9. James9222

    What birds of prey attack chickens in Australia?

    I've never had the currawongs take an interest in my chickens. I was even down to one hen that had no issues. Not all roo's but most will just sound the alarm and then hens will run. Mine stays out in the open which is very brave but stupid when it's a huge eagleoverhead. From what i have heard...
  10. James9222

    What birds of prey attack chickens in Australia?

    I recently moved to the NSW & QLD border region and wow the bird life here is insane. What my free range chickens have to deal with regarding species are hawks, eagles (wedge tails), crows or ravens, currawongs and many owl species. Most aerial predators won't chase down a chicken that has...
  11. James9222

    Newbie From Down Under

    G'day all, Have been an on and off poultry owner over my short years and finally decided again to learn all there is to know. Relocating to 20 acres and starting to raise a flock of my mine has been a challenge and why i have joined the forum after lurking for a time. Thank you to the members...
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