After 2 yrs. of free range...it finally happened

[chicknmania]

You know, I just have to add this....after reading predator posts on this site over the past couple of years, I have really concluded that people lose more birds to predators who are cooped up in a pen, compared to those who free range. When they are in a pen they can't get away.. and all the predator has to do is corner them. When they free range they usually (but not always) stay with each other, and there is safety in numbers. At least if you do lose them when they are free ranging usually it is just one at a time, and the others know to be on their guard. Just my personal opinion.

 

[monarc23]

Quote:
I don't think it was a rabbit.The sounds lasted at least five minutes, maybe more, cause my dh said he was listening to it for awhile before he called me to come out, and then I heard it for a couple more minutes, it wasn't a constant screaming, it would stop then start again, then I would hear some growling, and yelps, like the predators were fighting over the kill, and the crunching noise(gives me chill even now)It was like it was being eaten alive.

deers dont scream, they pretty much sound like a goat hwen hurt "baaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

rabbit _ "squeeeeee squeeee squeeeee squeee!"

and yelping, and growling normal pack behavior...they'd fight over any size kill.

 

[bluey]

The sound of a rabbit getting torn apart by an owl is very similar to a baby screaming...

It is frightening. I have seen and heard it and would have not believed it if I didn't see it with my own eyes. The rabbit actually sounded human....

 

[monarc23]

Quote:
yeah ive also heard a rabbit go

"wah wah wah wah, squee squee squee wah wah wah wah"

its' really sad

heres a rabbit recording goign "wah wah wah"

^^ second recording you'll hear calling in a coyote...forwarned video is a man hunting coyote you'll see them shoot one

and go here (below link) and clikc on cotton tail distress that's teh "squee"

http://sdsnake.com/coyote.htm <---this is a man made squee call though, im trying to find a real rabbit recording squee lol

 

[amazondoc]

Quote:
Well, let's do a quick survey to test your theory.

Of the threads in this forum that have new posts in the last two days, here's the tally of the attacks mentioned in originating posts. This is only a tally for those posts in which a specific attack was mentioned in the OP, and I could tell whether the birds were penned or not. Oh, and I had to estimate on the deaths while penned for one attack, because the lady who posted about the most recent bear attack never clearly identified how many hens were killed (she specified three ducks, but didn't specify on the chickens).

attack incidents while free-ranging: 8
attack incidents while penned: 3
deaths while free-ranging: 15
deaths while penned: 10

So far, your theory doesn't seem to hold water. Also, remember that many people who have predator losses while free ranging won't bother to post about it -- as other people have already mentioned, they EXPECT losses so it's probably nothing worth bringing up in most cases.

 

[monarc23]

kay heres a young deer that sounds obviously pretty ticked off....i must say i've never heard one make this noise withoutit being hurt...maybe it is....

 

[frozenchick]

Life's ironic. Just a few days after posting about my chickens we had a hawk attack. Let me preface with one thing. I had a hen go broody outside of the coop and barn. She hatched out 4 chicks and did a great job of mothering. Of course, the time will come in every chick's life when they must fend for themselves. Unfortunately for my little chicks, mother hen never introduced them to the shelter of the coop/barn or the safety of the front yard.

Last night we are eating dinner. One of the kids looks out the back window and starts screaming that a hawk has a chick. She runs outside unleashing the enraged German Shephard. The hawk is flying low to the ground, carrying his heavy load. He can't really get that far off the ground. The dog goes after the hawk, and Anna starts throwing rocks at the big bird. Mr. Hawk didn't wait around for the rocks to connect or the dog to catch him. He dropped the chick and flew off.

We scopped up the barely living chick (my favorite one too-named Buttercup by the kids) and rush it to the coop. There we set her up in a small isolation coop and hope for the best. Today, she's good as new. Walking around and cheeping her little head off. She's appropriately been re-christened "Falcon." As an added bonus, her siblings, hearing her cries, have now joined her in the barn.

I'm keeping them in there for a while with food and water. I only hope they learn to stay close to the coop now. We'll probably end up building a moveable coop for the younger ones-can't wait to start it this weekend.

 

[Beekissed]

In the country, I've always free ranged. In town, a chicken tractor moved several times a day. Never had a predator death, as I have a dog like the aforementioned REX! No hawk would dare! I also have a silent, quick predator in my yard in the form of my other dog. No warning bark, just a quick death.

I, too, feel that penning birds up just keeps them in one place for the predator buffet. I don't lock up my coop...ever! Pop door wide open at all times, for a quick getaway should the need ever arise. I agree with another poster about the quick birds being the survivors. A most desirable trait to be passed along.

I feel very much pity for the penned and cooped birds that never run over emerald green grass, scratch through the garden, dust in the thick dust that hasn't been trampled down by other birds.

Walking over a barren run, devoid of cool, green grass, picked clean of forage, bugs, worms, etc., walking constantly over each other's feces, breathing in the ammonia of an overused run and coop. Can't get away when a mean bird picks on them, can't keep other hens away from their chicks, can't select their own greens...must just take what is given. Can't go off alone if not feeling well, thereby exposing other chickens to their illness.

Not a healthy life physically, or mentally, for any animal. Like keeping a dog on a chain or in a small kennel all the time.

 

[chicknmania]

Quote:
Well, let's do a quick survey to test your theory.

Of the threads in this forum that have new posts in the last two days, here's the tally of the attacks mentioned in originating posts. This is only a tally for those posts in which a specific attack was mentioned in the OP, and I could tell whether the birds were penned or not. Oh, and I had to estimate on the deaths while penned for one attack, because the lady who posted about the most recent bear attack never clearly identified how many hens were killed (she specified three ducks, but didn't specify on the chickens).

attack incidents while free-ranging: 8
attack incidents while penned: 3
deaths while free-ranging: 15
deaths while penned: 10

So far, your theory doesn't seem to hold water. Also, remember that many people who have predator losses while free ranging won't bother to post about it -- as other people have already mentioned, they EXPECT losses so it's probably nothing worth bringing up in most cases.

I didn't say the past two days. Isaid the past two years. Go read what kind of agony someone recently had when a bear got trapped in her coop and couldn't get out. You know, whatever you want to do is fine with me...I suppose there are pros and cons to both. BUt I stand by what I and everyone else who free ranges has said...chickens are happier, healthier, and longer lived overall when they free range. And if they get killed by a predator, like a hawk, it's a quick death....not long and drawn out from some unnatural illness..That doesn't mean we don't mourn for them just like everyone else...but, I could not afford financially to provide veterinary care for 42 geriatric chickens, and I could not afford time wise or emotionally to deal with that many old and ailing ones, myself. Nature has some reasons for doing what she does.

 

[amazondoc]

Quote:
As I mentioned in my post, I included her birds in the tally. In turn, you should read a few of the agonized posts from folks who have found dead bird parts all over their free-ranged yards.

BUt I stand by what I and everyone else who free ranges has said...chickens are happier, healthier, and longer lived overall when they free range.

You can repeat statements as many times as you like -- but that doesn't make them any more true than the first time you said them.

If you believe that free-ranged chickens are overall "happier, healthier, and longer lived", then please provide evidence to support your claim.

I could not afford financially to provide veterinary care for 42 geriatric chickens, and I could not afford time wise or emotionally to deal with that many old and ailing ones, myself. Nature has some reasons for doing what she does.

Now, wait. You just got through claiming that free-ranged chickens have LONGER lives than ones in pens. Now you're saying that chickens in PENS are older. Which one is it??​