Recent content by mystkblu

  1. mystkblu

    Duck Pond/pool pictures

    We're down near Mesa Verde.
  2. mystkblu

    Egg Sucking Predator

    Well, I hadn't realized its been so long since I posted this up! We finally did find out what was getting the eggs. It was MAGPIES. They'd fly into the coop, peck a hole and eat the innards. My solution was to buy rolling next boxes - the hens lay the eggs and they roll down into a little...
  3. mystkblu

    Mistaken Beliefs Concerning Traps

    Well said. I live on the edge of BLM and FS wilderness in the middle of nowhere and know my live stock will be targeted despite my best efforts to fence and safe guard. My best defense is my 12 gauge when I can see the predator. But when I'm ambushed when I'm not home a trap of some sort is...
  4. mystkblu

    Thieving Tree Rats!

    With our drought and hot summer we've been swamped with ground squirrels raiding the chicken and goat feed. The drought has been so bad we've had them drowning in the horse trough trying to get drinks of water. I HATE pulling soggy bloated rodent water balloons out of the trough! :( Just...
  5. mystkblu

    Chickens disappearing

    Fox, coyote or dog. They tend to hit and run without leaving an explosion of feathers. Raptors always leave a huge plume of feathers behind from the high velocity impact. And bobcats tend to leave a trail of feathers as they run off.
  6. mystkblu

    Egg Sucking Predator

    This is typical of the egg carnage we've experienced all summer. This one was found in the nest box today along with two unharmed eggs. It appears the yolk was entirely eaten and the white left behind. It's obvious why I would think the chickens were eating their own eggs -the eggs being...
  7. mystkblu

    Egg Sucking Predator

    I've had snakes eat eggs before but the ingest them whole or crush them. And my chickens destroy any snakes they find on the farm so I'm pretty sure we can rule out snakes. Especially since the holes in the shell are well defined. The chicken eggs are less sturdy so you couldn't quite tell...
  8. mystkblu

    Egg Sucking Predator

    We've had a problem all summer with eggs in the nest boxes being pecked open and eaten. I assumed it's this strange weather and drought that has stressed my hens and have done everything to give them the best feed and water. I finally just chalked it up to a bad year. However, two days ago I...
  9. mystkblu

    devistated: my mallard is gone :(

    Quote: Oh thank goodness! It makes me feel so much better to know that I'm not the only keyboard spaz here! Any new news on the missing fowl?
  10. mystkblu

    Muscovy drake unable to stand

    Good to know Bleenie! He's still outside in his "isolation" paddock. He's comfortable out there and can still hang with his girls. I saw the girls all snuggled up against his fence last night and they were reaching through the fence to groom him. I do keep moving him to fresh deep grass so...
  11. mystkblu

    Muscovy drake unable to stand

    Some small improvement! Yesterday he was able to scoot away from me using his feet! I had to herd him a few minute before I could get my hands on him! So he is regaining strength but still not able to stand. He is still eating and drinking his medicated water with gusto. He doesn't much...
  12. mystkblu

    devistated: my mallard is gone :(

    Quote: I hope that is her!!! Have you taught your critters "calls" yet? My hubby calls them my "hog calls" but each of my animals has a particular noise or word or nonsense sound that brings them running to me. The chickens get a "CHEECKchickchickchick!", my ducks get (don't laugh) 'DOOK...
  13. mystkblu

    devistated: my mallard is gone :(

    Quote: I am so sorry! I didn't mean to imply that your comment in particular offended! My comment was directed at clipping wings in general and that it may make her feel bad if she hadn't clipped. I do apologize. I am new to the forum and forget that I need to apply a filter between my...
  14. mystkblu

    devistated: my mallard is gone :(

    Quote: Not meaning to contradict you Miss Lydia - I suspect it's an issue of environment - but that is exactly the reason I don't clip wings on any of my birds. Even my Cockatiel who doesn't ever go outside. If he got out of his aviary in the house he'd have a chance of getting away from my...
  15. mystkblu

    devistated: my mallard is gone :(

    I do hope she returns - that is a horrible feeling when one is missing. I hesitate to say it but it sounds like you had a predator visit your flock. Don't give up hope that she might come home, but you might want to take a look at your enclosure security just in case a raccoon, bobcat, fox or...
See more
Back
Top Bottom