Americauna Mama

JenifferHartman

Chirping
6 Years
Joined
May 22, 2013
Messages
90
Reaction score
14
Points
53
Location
Basehor, KS
Hi From Basehor, KS! We have 8 what was sold to us as Americauna's. I'm not entirely sure if that's correct as I'm new to this particular breed and see more of a resemblence to the Araucana or EE's. They are going on about seven weeks and spent their first night outside. We were devestated to find that one of our hens didn't make it and noticed another is missing a leg. Upon further investigation, we found that the decieced hen was also missing a leg. We live near a wooded area with a creek so they are exposed to a variety of predetors. Assured that my beloved babies had a coop and run (built by my husband) as secure as the ADX Florence, they spent their first night in their new home while I would have been perfectly content with keeping them in their cozy crate where I could keep a close eye on them. Now, needless to say, there will be some tweeks to the desighn plan. Of course, I will be extremely reluctant to let them go back out there after this heart breaking incident.. We also have 3 new additions. Two ducks that are barely a week old. A mallard and a runner. Cutest thing you ever saw.. playmates to our first duck who is now about 3 weeks old. He/she came in to our possesion on a trip to the feed store. He was in the cages all by himself and he looked so lonely that I asked the woman behind the counter if I could take him home. I was then informed that he was being held for a school teacher. I thought to myself.. what on earth would they do with a duck? Any how.. we left duckless that day and when we returned a few days later, he was still there so I had to rescue him. His specific breed escapes me. And then after my dear chickens were to be put outside full time, we needed someone to keep our duck company because he is not yet old enough to be outside, so I came home with 2 additional ducklings.. And THAT is why I am no longer aloud to go to the feed store by myself!
 
welcome-byc.gif
please check out the forums on predators, predator proofing runs, etc. The most important thing is to realize chicken wire only keeps chickens IN, it doesn't keep predators OUT.

Instead use 1/2" hardware cloth. Raccoons especially like to grab chickens thru the fence and bite off any body part they can snag. Sorry to hear of your loses - sure sounds like coons.
 
Since this post we have trapped 13 coons and raised 7 more chicks to add to the flock. Made some improvements to our coop and haven't lost any more birds so far. :D
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom