Arizona Chickens

[maryhysong]

Nothing there? Sure you sent it to me and not someone else?

Is this yourhttps://www.facebook.com/sonoran.silkies?fref=ts page?

 

[maryhysong]

Haven't done it but I'm fixing to try once I get enough birds. I've been following that thread since it started. I've got the tools. But I don't have any chicks to caponize yet. I wanted to practice on dead birds first, but I haven't had any of those either.

Maybe we could get together for a practice run? I'm in Tucson. We were talking at the poultry show in November, but I didn't realize it was you until the show was over. Duh...

Sarah (with the Black Javas)

Hi Sarah! Will you be at Safford this weekend? It will be a bit before I have chicks big enough also. I don't have tools yet but maybe we could get together when one of us has chicks to work on? I will be putting some EE eggs in with some others and I don't want any boys from them so they would all be up for caponizing.

 

[Timskins]

Hi all--

Was referred to this thread since I am located in AZ. Here's my original post...maybe you all could help?

~~Well...my husband came out the other morning to find a trail of turkey feathers across the yard. Between the feathers and drag marks left from the turkey's wing tips, we could follow the trail of that the predator took to leave our yard. He/she jumped our 5 foot no-climb fence (which we had never known anything else to do) with the turkey, crossed the road and went straight into the state land across the street. We found the turkey covered up under a tree (with lots of claw marks in the dirt but no paw prints). We are thinking it is a big ole tom bobcat :/ We are very sad because the turkey was our favorite I am sure the bobcat(?) will be back. What to do now? Even if we find a way to keep the poultry safe, I am worried our goats could be next (particularly my son's little Nigerian dwarf wether). We have never...in all the years...had anything get in this yard. We have been leaving one of our dogs out 24/7 since the attack and haven't suffered anymore losses. However, I worry it may be quiet enough to slip in past the dog should it get hungry enough? We are in Arizona. Any advice? ETA: We have guns, leg traps, and a pretty big catch alive trap (although I am not sure how big the cat in question is) I feel bad killing it but I do not know if we have a choice? I want to keep my livestock/poultry safe...

ETA: Found prints at the site the turkey was. Whatever type of cat killed the turkey, nothing but feathers and a couple of tracks are left now. Two hens went missing without a trace...no evidence where they are now Put up a catch alive trap and a few foot traps in our fenced yard after my original post. Judging by these prints...not so sure it'll fit in the catch alive. No luck with anything so far Heard something going "woow...wooow" from approx. 4-6am (sounded right outside bedroom window)...recorded the noise but don't know how to share. Not so sure it's a bobcat anymore (based off these tracks) but I would have thought anything bigger than a bobcat would kill the goats...not chickens/turkey. Any input?

Where are you located? Could it be a mountain lion?

 

[Timskins]

I'm going to be placing an order with Meyer Hatchery in February. If anyone is interested in a few chicks, let me know and I can add them onto my order to save on shipping. If anyone is interested, PM me with the number and breeds you're interested in. I am in Mesa, and I don't mind boarding the chicks for a few days.

I might be ready by then, keep me in mind.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: hmmm, well, the photos are mine, but it's not my page. I didn't even know it existed. I'll message you,

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Hi all--

Was referred to this thread since I am located in AZ. Here's my original post...maybe you all could help?

~~Well...my husband came out the other morning to find a trail of turkey feathers across the yard. Between the feathers and drag marks left from the turkey's wing tips, we could follow the trail of that the predator took to leave our yard. He/she jumped our 5 foot no-climb fence (which we had never known anything else to do) with the turkey, crossed the road and went straight into the state land across the street. We found the turkey covered up under a tree (with lots of claw marks in the dirt but no paw prints). We are thinking it is a big ole tom bobcat :/ We are very sad because the turkey was our favorite I am sure the bobcat(?) will be back. What to do now? Even if we find a way to keep the poultry safe, I am worried our goats could be next (particularly my son's little Nigerian dwarf wether). We have never...in all the years...had anything get in this yard. We have been leaving one of our dogs out 24/7 since the attack and haven't suffered anymore losses. However, I worry it may be quiet enough to slip in past the dog should it get hungry enough? We are in Arizona. Any advice? ETA: We have guns, leg traps, and a pretty big catch alive trap (although I am not sure how big the cat in question is) I feel bad killing it but I do not know if we have a choice? I want to keep my livestock/poultry safe...

ETA: Found prints at the site the turkey was. Whatever type of cat killed the turkey, nothing but feathers and a couple of tracks are left now. Two hens went missing without a trace...no evidence where they are now Put up a catch alive trap and a few foot traps in our fenced yard after my original post. Judging by these prints...not so sure it'll fit in the catch alive. No luck with anything so far Heard something going "woow...wooow" from approx. 4-6am (sounded right outside bedroom window)...recorded the noise but don't know how to share. Not so sure it's a bobcat anymore (based off these tracks) but I would have thought anything bigger than a bobcat would kill the goats...not chickens/turkey. Any input?

I agree with the others, that looks like a mountain lion track. It would also explain the difficulties with trapping it.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

I have been to both Glendale and Surprise Pratts and was disappointed by both of them. They have too many of different kinds and ages together in their big tubs and there is a real pecking problem.
There were also some dead or nearly dead chicks as well. Not to mention that they let every kid handle and drop them. I don't want chicks that have been so terribly handled.  I have never seen the chicks out of water or feed at Stockmans and their chicks never stay there more than a few days so each shipment appears to be fresh and new. You never know what kind they will have but the variety changes weekly. I hope they have BO there next week. I loved my little Orpy Annie so much that I have to get some more of the golden beauties. 

You are sadly right. I have strong sence of loyalty, but sence their clients changed and they are no longer a feed store, but a pet store and sudo-feed store. Pets stores are usually better with their animals. They have not gotten it right.....yet. In the old days, farmers brought their kids all the time, but these were farm kids and chickens for the most part were not pets and toys. Now the place is full of kids, the staff I do not believe is equipped to handle superviseing kids and ignorant adults. They are going to have to make more pet store type changes. It is so sad to see some things change, not always to the better. The old store, as the community was changing, would get a few non-farm customers, they did not like the fact it was dirty. The farmers would come in with work boats, floor covered in dust, dirt, and straw by the end of the day. No parrots, puppy's, and canary's, only farm animals. It was crowded with cages of chickens, bunny's, and piglets. There was usually several of those staked brood boxes full of chicks. Now they have one stake. So sad.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

Please, CALL AZ FISH AND GAME, if it is a Puma they will want to know. They also might be able to help. The White Tank Mountains have Puma, 15 miles from my house. All predators will take the safest and easy pray. They can not afford to get hurt, it is life and death. Hunger or injured will make predators desperate and very dangerous. Let me know what you learn from FISH AND GAME. Most of all you have the right to protect your stock.

 

[MagicChicken]

Quote:
I have chicks hatching this weekend if they weren't damaged by the high incubator humidity the first couple of weeks. So no Safford for me this year. Let's keep in touch.

 

[maryhysong]

hmmm, well, the photos are mine, but it's not my page. I didn't even know it existed. I'll message you,

wow that is weird; maybe someone was making if for you as a surprise or something? How strange, you should probably contact FB and get it taken down, especially if those are your pics used without permission!