Arizona Chickens

[Arizonachicken]

I need clarification on "squatting" prior to egg laying. Do the pullets squat randomly as their roaming about,or is it that squat when you pet them? My two laying hens squat when you reach out to pet them. My young ones just run away, BUT...today one of my Ameraucanas squatted when I reached out, just like my laying hens. They've been in and out of the nesting boxes for weeks and their little faces are red.

 

[Mikey D]

So... the tucson coyotes heard us talking. My sister lost 3 of her 6 chickens to a coyote early this morning.

Sorry to hear that Becky. Were they out at the time or did it get into the coop?

 

[Beckyhsinglsc]

Sorry to hear that Becky. Were they out at the time or did it get into the coop?

They were in the coop but she got home late the night before and forgot to close the door. She heard it happen and went out to find one gone and two dying. She saw the coyote running away.
My sister is also very worried about her little toy poodle. She was our Dad's dog before he passed last summer. She is much smaller than the chickens.

 

[Smiles-N-Sunshine]

I worry about our little Choodle (Chihuahua x Poodle) with coyotes down here. We have an 8' chain link fence around the home site (and livestock) but Choodle fits through the gate and wanders.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

I need clarification on "squatting" prior to egg laying. Do the pullets squat randomly as their roaming about,or is it that squat when you pet them? My two laying hens squat when you reach out to pet them. My young ones just run away, BUT...today one of my Ameraucanas squatted when I reached out, just like my laying hens. They've been in and out of the nesting boxes for weeks and their little faces are red.

It sounds like you're going to have some new layers very soon! They generally don't squat randomly, but do it when you walk close by or reach for them.

 

[Beckyhsinglsc]

It sounds like you're going to have some new layers very soon! They generally don't squat randomly, but do it when you walk close by or reach for them.

Yeah, because you have rooster status and they are "getting ready". I like to pat them on the back when they squat so they aren't disappointed.

 

[Arizonachicken]

It sounds like you're going to have some new layers very soon! They generally don't squat randomly, but do it when you walk close by or reach for them.

Wahoooo! These girls are from Mahonri's Easter hatch. I can't wait to see what their eggs look like.

 

[Arizonachicken]

Yeah, because you have rooster status and they are "getting ready". I like to pat them on the back when they squat so they aren't disappointed.

Ha, ha! That was my theory.

 

[tightwad]

Becky, sorry about your sister's hens.

We've had coyotes in our suburban neighborhood before too and, through our neighborhood email, I heard that a few small dogs were missing (presumably taken) but no chickens. We've had skunks and roadrunners in the backyard but so far I haven't seen coyotes.

 

[Beckyhsinglsc]

Becky, sorry about your sister's hens.

We've had coyotes in our suburban neighborhood before too and, through our neighborhood email, I heard that a few small dogs were missing (presumably taken) but no chickens. We've had skunks and roadrunners in the backyard but so far I haven't seen coyotes.

When she first went out she thought she had lost 4. She couldn't find her daughter's favorite, Hannah. It wasn't until she had taken her daughter to school and came back that she saw Hannah, unharmed in the yard. She called the school and asked them to tell her daughter that Hannah was OK.

Before long anyone that wants to keep small animals is also going to have to get a LGD!