I have used just about any thing and everthing to patch or modify structures for coops. If your on a budget then KISS. Patch up with scrap wood and nails/ screw. Watch Craigslist for free lumber to repurpose and fencing. I am a cragslist junky. Picked up a 1986 F250 for $460 from CL. It...
My roos only crow during the day and early morning before before sun up. They will sometimes crow if they wake up and see the light coming from the bathroom window for more than a few minutes. If I had one that crowed during normal sleeping time too often I would rehome or cull him.
Good job! We have possum here, but their numbers totally exploded in the last 15 years. They are non-native here and guilty as charged in the chicken enthusiast community. The only other top natural trouble maker is the Coon. Those critters have been making it a habit of killing local cats...
I am sorry for your loss. Lossing your birds and the dog is definately a lose lose situation. I have lost many birds to my dogs (my fault though). I had to install an electric fence arroud the birds place. The dogs do fine with the birds when I am out there with them.
I just realized that...
I am sorry. Arent Black Australorps and Black Orpingtons essentially the same thing? I have a Jersey Roo who x-d with some BA hens. Both were sets of parents are nice looking birds. We ended up with some bood that looked abit less sophistcated. Those offstring are real "lookers"! When...
Right before dusk we had a small hawk/ falcon come gliding about 10' over our freeranging chickens in the yard. It landed in the trees across the road and eye-balled them. It left a while later. I don't think it was interested in the full sized hens, but the silkies. The roo out with them is...
I am not in the NE, but I have a smaal pack of western coyotes living near me. They were born and raised on the next property over from mine. They have nevere taken a chicken that I know of mine. I do get the urge to ventilate them when I hear from my kids/ wife that one followed them down...
My oldest (18) was out feeding the hens one day and a large Americana roo got him from behind. He quickley grabbed a stick to defend himself. It came at him again and batter up! He came to me and said "dad I am sorry, but I think I killed the Duke" I told him to place him in the box till...
We don't have rooster trouble at my place. We usually have people send us trouble roosters. The ones that attack people and especially children. My wiley lab cross appreciates our neighors donation with a grin and a snap:pop Of course we kill them first in the most conveniant way possible...
Bury 1" chicken wire at a slight angle at the base of your coop and run. Now install an electric fence atleast 2 strands about 4"-6" off of your coop and run.
Any hunting variety, especially retrievers will likely go after any birds(chooks). Do not assume that because a dog is small that it will not have a instinct to hunt. Little dogs like corgies and terriers were bred for their small game and rodent catching instincts/abilities:D. Training is a...
It's OK if the yard will allow for more space and the coop is a bit on the small side. Not to compare the home chicken farmer to the commercial, but 4'-5' per bird is great for your pets. The suggested commercial spacing is about 2' per bird. Not that they care or actually follow that...
Electric fence! Two strands one at 4" and the other at 12" to 16". Then its time to "introduce them" Dog.. hot wires...and hot wires...dog. It usually takes only one introduction.
Electric fence! Two strands one at 4" and the other at 12" to 16". Then its time to "introduce them" Dog.. hot wires...and hot wires...dog. It usually takes only one introduction.
Sounds like the ever stealthy cougar. Here's my experience with live stock and lions. When I was kid I lived on my uncles farm for a while in Oregon. He had many goats, sheep, some cows, and other critters. A local lion killed/ harvested all the goats and sheep, about 14 total in about 5...
Awhile ago I read about a guy who lived arround New England who would trap/ obtain small criters for this purpose. He did not feed the carrion to the chickens, but set up buckets with critter portions in them. The buckets had holes drilled in the bottom and the creepy crawlers would fall to...
I would watch a raven and see what he's up to? Like crows they are very opportunistic and smart. I have seen a single crow in the spring with baby robin's in it's beak and parents chasing after it. A raven can be quite a bit larger. Odds are he's sneakin food, but he could be carrying...