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After 2 yrs. of free range...it finally happened
- Thread starter palabeco
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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.
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.
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Very well put. I feel the same way. Although we are keeping them in the covered run for a week unless supervised,I will let them be completely free again.
Thanks all for the support.
I feel the same way and free range my chickens as well. Maybe I'm selfish, but I enjoy my chickens much better letting them free range.
I also am very vigilant hunting predators and employ a game cam in the coop area. Any time it spots a raccoon, possum etc..., that varmint usually doesn't last but a few days.
As far as aerial predators, I employ Nautical Buoy's system of feeding the crows. I have a family of four crows that is very effective in running birds of prey off. Sure, they're noisy and annoying but well worth the pilfered feed. They never go near the coop nor would my chickens let them. My chickens are pretty territorial with their feed and coop and chase the crows away before too long.
Now, it's only a matter of time before I have my first predator loss but I refuse to cage my chickens during the day. When I do have losses, I'll just grin and bear it and carry on with more chickens.
Very well put. I feel the same way. Although we are keeping them in the covered run for a week unless supervised,I will let them be completely free again.
Thanks all for the support.
I feel the same way and free range my chickens as well. Maybe I'm selfish, but I enjoy my chickens much better letting them free range.
I also am very vigilant hunting predators and employ a game cam in the coop area. Any time it spots a raccoon, possum etc..., that varmint usually doesn't last but a few days.
As far as aerial predators, I employ Nautical Buoy's system of feeding the crows. I have a family of four crows that is very effective in running birds of prey off. Sure, they're noisy and annoying but well worth the pilfered feed. They never go near the coop nor would my chickens let them. My chickens are pretty territorial with their feed and coop and chase the crows away before too long.
Now, it's only a matter of time before I have my first predator loss but I refuse to cage my chickens during the day. When I do have losses, I'll just grin and bear it and carry on with more chickens.
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We have hawks, and I have lost two, possibly three chickens to them. The reason I say possibly is because we had a ferrel cat in the yard that definitely got one baby and may have been the culprit in another.
I have learned that the hawks are out in the early morning, and are usually gone by 9:30 or 10, then they return mid-afternoon and are gone by 4:30 or 5. I let me girls out in the "safe" time.
We also netted part of our yard so that they think they are free ranging. However, I think they have become smarter since doing this; they now line up like a class of students at the door of the netting to be let out when they see me go into their section of yard. It is hilarious. Honestly, there are dangers to free range, but I agree with the happier chickens aspect.
I have learned that the hawks are out in the early morning, and are usually gone by 9:30 or 10, then they return mid-afternoon and are gone by 4:30 or 5. I let me girls out in the "safe" time.
We also netted part of our yard so that they think they are free ranging. However, I think they have become smarter since doing this; they now line up like a class of students at the door of the netting to be let out when they see me go into their section of yard. It is hilarious. Honestly, there are dangers to free range, but I agree with the happier chickens aspect.
I have a great hawk prevention system - it's called REX. Rex is my German Shepherd who sleeps with and guards our free ranging flock from the time they hatch. He keeps vigilant watch over the skies and barks and chases off every hawk, or buzzard, he sees. You should see him take off, barking his head off and jumping in the air while he chases a hawk. Only problem is the chickens have gotten so used to him doing this all day long that they completely ignore him. They used to run for cover but now just carry on. I guess they believe he will take care of it. I'm sure there will be a day when he's not on guard but so far it's an amazing system to watch. He's even watching the sky while sitting under covered porch with us.
We have never had a predator loss in our yard or cleared area. The only ones were chickens that wandered deep into the woods for the first time this spring. Those woods are filled with lions, and tigers and bears as the saying goes but so far nothing has ventured into our cleared "yard" area except deer - thanks to Rex and Lucy and Scarlett our Guard Dog team. Well Scarlett is a GSD guard dog in training. She's still a puppy and has a lot to learn. She mostly runs for the house if Rex starts barking and still likes to make the chickens run and fly. But I figured Rex needed a helper, it's a big place, and hopefully she will learn from the master. My flock of chickens has been increased to ducks and peacocks and dwarf dairy goats and is growing daily. Everything gets a chance to live as close to nutural a life as possible here on our farm named Bethel Farms. Our three dogs and three cats also live and interact with all the animals and no one bothers anyone else. I often say the secret to keeping predators away is to surround your flock with your own predators. Any outside predators would have to run the gauntlet to get to the flock. I don't know what I would do without Rex - he's the secret to the whole free ranging system.
We have never had a predator loss in our yard or cleared area. The only ones were chickens that wandered deep into the woods for the first time this spring. Those woods are filled with lions, and tigers and bears as the saying goes but so far nothing has ventured into our cleared "yard" area except deer - thanks to Rex and Lucy and Scarlett our Guard Dog team. Well Scarlett is a GSD guard dog in training. She's still a puppy and has a lot to learn. She mostly runs for the house if Rex starts barking and still likes to make the chickens run and fly. But I figured Rex needed a helper, it's a big place, and hopefully she will learn from the master. My flock of chickens has been increased to ducks and peacocks and dwarf dairy goats and is growing daily. Everything gets a chance to live as close to nutural a life as possible here on our farm named Bethel Farms. Our three dogs and three cats also live and interact with all the animals and no one bothers anyone else. I often say the secret to keeping predators away is to surround your flock with your own predators. Any outside predators would have to run the gauntlet to get to the flock. I don't know what I would do without Rex - he's the secret to the whole free ranging system.
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The bad side of that is that crows will steal your eggs.
I have enough big birds,,, the crows keep their distance and will not come close to the run or coop.
The bad side of that is that crows will steal your eggs.
I have enough big birds,,, the crows keep their distance and will not come close to the run or coop.
I am so sorry for your loss and I would not doubt it was a deer you heard screaming they make an awful sound when they are hurt and with the crunch I have no doubt it was a large prey animal could of been a cat do you have mountain lions (they do hunt kids and it is getting worse everyday). I hate to even let my 16 year old son walk the roads with the wolf and bears that are here he made a long spear and I feel a little bit better but not much. All our neighbors properties here run about 5 acres so they are close but you never know. We do the calling system if you don't call within so many minutes of leaving we call and if not there we look. So I understand the not playing in the woods.
One day I will be able to free range and I live for that day. My first year raising chicks and 18 of my first chicks (out of 19) were killed by the neighbors dog at 11 weeks old only 7 of those were roo's. I became a very hardened person that day as I picked my babies up and I will not sit still for it, if it comes after mine it will die, one way or an other. I was very thankful that it didn't touch my 41 chickens who were 8 and 9 weeks old that were in the house right next to them.
Hey Ruth I was going to ask about uncle ugly and the farm are you going to update the journy page soon. Hang in there
One day I will be able to free range and I live for that day. My first year raising chicks and 18 of my first chicks (out of 19) were killed by the neighbors dog at 11 weeks old only 7 of those were roo's. I became a very hardened person that day as I picked my babies up and I will not sit still for it, if it comes after mine it will die, one way or an other. I was very thankful that it didn't touch my 41 chickens who were 8 and 9 weeks old that were in the house right next to them.
Hey Ruth I was going to ask about uncle ugly and the farm are you going to update the journy page soon. Hang in there
The only cougars or panthers in the area are high school mascots,, but bobcats are working their way in. The best way I can describe the sound of a wounded deer is like a scared lamb.
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I sure hope that works for us too. It is the plan of course, and how we're proceeding. "Boy" is our version of Rex, pyranese mix, and he's just getting started. We also have a small pack of 4 other pooches who keep smaller predators at bay closer to the house.. Boy is allowed to roam.
I sure hope that works for us too. It is the plan of course, and how we're proceeding. "Boy" is our version of Rex, pyranese mix, and he's just getting started. We also have a small pack of 4 other pooches who keep smaller predators at bay closer to the house.. Boy is allowed to roam.
I never see the hawks at this time either. I ususally see them around 10:30 am and then again around 3:30pm. (weekends)
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