Arizona Chickens

[City farm]

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?

Well you sure have lots of options.. I do think if your dog is big enough that is as smart start.. 2-3 dogs are better.. Since they are pack animals.. Your dog will smell the preditor before he/she sees it.. Boy do we absoulutly love, love, love our German Shepard!! We call her our little pony.. So glad you posted.. Hope to see photos of your other chickens? .

 

[City farm]

The last few days we have had pigeons=ground doves & I think some ringed turtle doves.
It would be nice to see some spotted doves or white winged doves.. We also have;
grackles,sparrows all at the same time in our back yard..
They come and go together.. I don't remember them all flocking together.. The hop around our
sleeping dogs.. With in 3 feet.. Little parasite carriers.. So far the have not found the chickens
food.. Not sure if it because of our super hero rooster Clark Kent.. e

 

[City farm]

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.

The front paws are usually 1/2 inch larger in width than the back. Front is about 3 inches in length & 3 1/2 inches in width.. Be careful.. Do you have a wild life camera?? That is what I am getting myself for my birthday..

 

[MandyFitch]

WOW! Wish I had my camera in hand a few minutes ago. Three massive hawks (eagles??) just swooped down on my girls, freaked the crap out of all of us. I was in the doorway when it happened so I managed to run out, yelling, in time to scare them off. And once again the coop doors were closed to keep the pigeons out of the feed so two of my ladies were squawking for help while the rest of them cowered under a bush. I fear this is not going to end well.

 

[flower]

In addition to predator proof walls top of run netting is a must even here in a small town in the NE part of the state. My flock stays close to their run unless I am out and about to protect them. But now that I have rooster maybe they will become more brave.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

I am really worried for you.

Background:
I have always attracted the unusual individual. Here in AZ I can say I have met "0", until I joined BYC. Here I have it open, from hat I have read...... Maybe. Flower is very close, a woman that dances to her on music. In Florida, I know a man, and have met his partners. His job I hunting, and capturing predictors and wild pig/bore and removing them. He was licensed as needed is Florida and Georgia, has worked with others in his field in Alaska and other states in the lore 48. He has told me terrible stories of things gone wrong, not by the professional, although they/he has had mishaps, when the public try's to deal with certain predictors. Wild pig is mostly the farmer shot ting by accident one of those black and white pigs with their tusks misplaced on their heads.
------------------------------

I wish I could recount some of his stores, bit it was a long time ago, and I do not remember enough of any one to tell. A good kill is the only safe thing for people like you and I, and best in a group. Trapping is the worse idea in clouding netting. One story involved he and his group hunting an injured bear after a failed attempt. Suggestion, have someone you do not like and you can out run... ( that's a joke). Apparently you have a big bread dog. But, baring the individual dog, some breeds are bread for this kind of work. The seem to know the right moves and as a group will work together. I am probably over reacting.

If it is a big cat, I think it is, it will be back, guaranteed. The stashing of the turkey, turned my blood cold. Could you creat a mud slurry where the prints are to make a better print. I know you also feel the same fear as I do. One Coyotes I have never feared, if I can see it and recognize its body language. This is how much I know about big cat body language "0". Bear a little more. Call or email the right devision, the no you want deal with property and live stock loss such as yours, (623) 236-7201. The e-mail is [email protected]..... I think that is it. They may be able to help you.

Advise from me is, if you see it, turn your blood cold, relax, think only of the puma and what is around it and behind it, use a high enough cal., and don't miss. Best if there is more then ones shooter. Oh and be sure it is on your land, you are protecting your family. That is were you want it to drop. I found out puma's are abundant in ALL of AZ. We have a healthy population. The young and the old are the most problem, young trying to establish territory and inexperienced. The old... Well its old.


Good luck be careful.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

On a lighter note, How many people are familiar with the Asian Laughing chickens (rooster). [VIDEO]

There seems to be one one breed, they are all so different.

 

[MagicChicken]

On a lighter note, How many people are familiar with the Asian Laughing chickens (rooster).There seems to be one one breed, they are all so different.

Think I'll send this to my neighbor next time he mentions how annoying my roosters are. Tell him I'm thinking of getting some of these, would he mind?

My boys crow but it's not outrageously loud and it usually ends in a muffled gargle. Someday I will remember to record it. Makes me chuckle every time I hear it.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

 
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!

Get it shut down, that is just not right, I feel for you. My nephew took over my FB becouse she said something like "I sound retarded, I can not spell and I talk to much". I finely got him to stop... Mostly. He pointed out to me I was much more interesting with him writing it for me. I would send him what I wanted posted then he rewrote it, sometimes. It was very upsetting to me. Having someone steel your identity that you do not know is so many times worst. I know how I fealt when he did it. He thought he was doing a good thing, like a hired writer to wright speeches.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

MagicChicken, they are breed to have a loud laugh. There are competitions for the loudest and best laugher. Tell him you are going for the best, in contact with a blue ribbon winner 5 years in a row. He will be bringing/sending you 2 dozen eggs. (I'm so bad)