Arizona Chickens

[maryhysong]

It happened again. Coyote got all 15 of my 4 week old broilers and the hen that was raising them. The coyote ended up moving 30 lb cinder blocks and boulders out of the way, ripping out the wire apron surrounding the meat pen, moved a buried 4x4 log, and chewing off chunks of the plastic (just decorative and sun shade, but still, determined animal), and ended up ripping off a small panel of wire in the corner of the A-frame and getting every single animal in the pen. I'm sick. Despite it's efforts--it kicked those cinder blocks at least 5' away--it didn't end up digging in, but got in where wire was attached between the metal and wood frame. The opening was the size of my hand. I truly believed my animals were completely safe, and their death is completely my fault. I'm just disgusted.

I'm done with meaties for a bit. Honestly, I'm not really sure there was anything further and feasible that I could do to protect their coop. Electric fence doesn't seem feasible in a small space in a suburban yard with kids.

My layers and their coop seem undisturbed. But now I'm not as confident as I was before that the devil coyote can't chew right through the hardware wire.

I'll say that that amount of damage does sound like a pack of large dogs (or even just two or three). However, in my experience, dogs are not usually hungry enough to eat the birds, they are just on a killing spree and while they might eat one or two the rest they just kill.

But I wonder if you have something bigger than a coyote. A game camera would be good. Or someone on watch a few nights, perhaps with some bait out. If you think they are coming over one certain wall, perhaps you could add weld wire fencing to make it taller?

I lost a lot of birds to the bobcat before I caught it. I know that gut wrenching feeling when you walk out to all the feathers and realize what has happened.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

I have a 4 month old Cochin bantam that I almost.wish I could breed when she is older. I decided to try and start taking my two 4 week old chicks outside during the nice weather to acclimate just during the day time. Instead of fighting in the outdoor brooder while I figured out how to split everyone up and away from the adult bullies. she decided she was mama and scooped them under her wings and kept them there! So I let them stay together the last couple days. Never have I had different age birds get along so quickly.

she sounds like one in a million big hearted natural mana's. It would be nice if when you have peeps you can give them to her to mama.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

It happened again.  Coyote got all 15 of my 4 week old broilers and the hen that was raising them.  The coyote ended up moving 30 lb cinder blocks and boulders out of the way, ripping out the wire apron surrounding the meat pen, moved a buried 4x4 log, and chewing off chunks of the plastic (just decorative and sun shade, but still, determined animal), and ended up ripping off a small panel of wire in the corner of the A-frame and getting every single animal in the pen.  I'm sick.  Despite it's efforts--it kicked those cinder blocks at least 5' away--it didn't end up digging in, but got in where wire was attached between the metal and wood frame.  The opening was the size of my hand.  I truly believed my animals were completely safe, and their death is completely my fault.  I'm just disgusted. 

I'm done with meaties for a bit.  Honestly, I'm not really sure there was anything further and feasible that I could do to protect their coop. Electric fence doesn't seem feasible in a small space in a suburban yard with kids. 

My layers and their coop seem undisturbed.  But now I'm not as confident as I was before that the devil coyote can't chew right through the hardware wire. 

sense I found out that Fish and Game has a department dedicated to predictors and live stock loss. I would call them and see if they can help tarp this coyote, a repeat offender. I am so sorry for you and the painful frustration. It is not your fault.

Years ago there had been a bear sighting in Maricopa some place. Just can't remember the details...... It was at lest 20 years ago.

Years ago I tried to put up an electric fence so my neighbor would stop threatening me of killing my dog. (A Great Dane, he would stand and watch him in his yard. He did not like being watched). I found out electric fences were illegal in Peoria.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

I do not know ware you are, in relation to Phoenix. If you live next to a national forest or BLM land, there may be a slim possibility. For peace of mind the game camera is A very good idea. Food for thought do to the heavy damage. It would have to be pretty strong, definitely determined.
http://azstarnet.com/news/science/environment/article_3d40ff6e-efe1-5db9-9510-79606684a4b2.html
July 6, 2010 Another bear was seen twice Tuesday on Tucson's east side. It was reported to have blocked traffic near East 22nd Street and South Houghton Road about 6:30 a.m., then was seen at 8:15 a.m. near East Broadway and Freeman Road

http://www.arizona-leisure.com/arizona-black-bear.html

http://www.scenicdrive.org/pap04bear.htm

 

[roostereggs]

Mama Mary, I have reason to believe is taking good care of her chicks........... What do you think? Are they hungry? Or not? Or is that a grouth?


To night, also, mama moved into the main coop. Normally it is quite, every one has their place. Mama first what end to roost, so she kicked every one off. 2 of the chicks made it up their. Then she settled for the nesting area on top. She kept calling them, two just couldn't figure out how to get to mama. Finally all is well.

Ohhhhh...that is THE cutest thing I have ever seen! I didn't know they could just hitch a ride on mama!

 

[Demosthine]

Well, there's bad/good news and horrible news. First, back on January 5th I set 20 eggs for hatching in my incubator. When I candled last night, there are only three developing, but they look like they are coming along nicely. I've had some major fluctuations in temperature and humidity, being my first time, so I didn't expect an awesome hatch rate, but certainly not that low. It just dawned on my, as in right this instant, that the mini-fridge may be messing up the environment around it. It's sitting directly on top of a mini-fridge, with a second one right next to it. I may have to find a better area to set the incubator. I have no idea how much variation in temperature that area has. Stupid me, I should have thought about that ahead of time. I will up the humidity tomorrow night, which will be day 18, and get ready for hatching shortly! These are all from Aloha Chickens, so I'll post some photos during and after hatching. It's our first time, so hopefully it happens when my girls can be available.


The horrible news is that my wife went to the orthopedic surgeon yesterday and she does need surgery. It's a four to six week recovery period, too. And here I thought it was going to be an easy one. To make matters worse, when he went to show her what her knee cap should do on her good leg, he found out it shows the same weaknesses as her bad one and will need the surgery too. He can't do them both at once, though, so... Yeah... We'll have to see about our vacation plans for April. I'm hoping to get the surgery done immediately and give her about nine weeks to recover enough for a nice little vacation. Otherwise, it's ten weeks waiting and then another six weeks recovery. That's a long time for her to be in pain.


Speaking of surgery, Lady, how's Flower doing? Her surgery is coming up shortly, too. Send her our best wishes and we pray everything goes well for her!

 

[Demosthine]

It happened again. Coyote got all 15 of my 4 week old broilers and the hen that was raising them. The coyote ended up moving 30 lb cinder blocks and boulders out of the way, ripping out the wire apron surrounding the meat pen, moved a buried 4x4 log, and chewing off chunks of the plastic (just decorative and sun shade, but still, determined animal), and ended up ripping off a small panel of wire in the corner of the A-frame and getting every single animal in the pen. I'm sick. Despite it's efforts--it kicked those cinder blocks at least 5' away--it didn't end up digging in, but got in where wire was attached between the metal and wood frame. The opening was the size of my hand. I truly believed my animals were completely safe, and their death is completely my fault. I'm just disgusted.

I'm done with meaties for a bit. Honestly, I'm not really sure there was anything further and feasible that I could do to protect their coop. Electric fence doesn't seem feasible in a small space in a suburban yard with kids.

My layers and their coop seem undisturbed. But now I'm not as confident as I was before that the devil coyote can't chew right through the hardware wire.

It's amazing what a determined animal can do. Coyotes and mountain lions both could have done that, and I wouldn't put it past either one. I would contemplate the electric fence, though. Even with small kids, I think it's completely safe and effective. They are low amp and low voltage fences that are not meant to hurt anything. Think of it like touching a 9v battery to your tongue as a kid. It wasn't pleasant, but it didn't hurt. It was very much of a self-correcting action, though. Before you replace the meaties, though, you might try the fence and see if the predator comes back. I like the game camera idea, too.

To night, also, mama moved into the main coop. Normally it is quite, every one has their place. Mama first what end to roost, so she kicked every one off. 2 of the chicks made it up their. Then she settled for the nesting area on top. She kept calling them, two just couldn't figure out how to get to mama. Finally all is well.

Isn't it amazing what a Mama can do to the rest of the pecking order. Even the lowest bird can set the rest of the flock in order when she has chicks. Those are some adorable photos, too.

 

[notinoz2007]

Aww, LKD i've always wanted a momma hen, or just a broody hen for that matter. those pics are adorable.
Demo, sorry to hear about your Lady's surgery needs - its good they discovered the other knee problem tho, so it can be repaired as well. best wishes for a smooth recovery,
Aloha chickens are great, they were a really fun project to work on, and so pretty too. some of my favorite chickens turned out to be alohas. have fun.



i still have extra roosters. any takers? the ad got flagged on craigslist, so maybe i'll try that again - i'm afraid of craigslist tho. I know they could end up as dinner and thats logical and acceptable - but the thought of them being used for fighting just terrifies me.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

I am pretty sure I have two roosters, and three pullets. I have no guess as to the 6th. It is feathering nicely but still its tails isn't here or there. As for personality..... Who knows? Non of them will be at the bottom of the picking order. The pullets that I started in August/Sept are below Mary's chicks.

I have also noticed that Lucy and Clare are not chased away from her chicks like the others. Some she will let close but watches more closely, then there are girls she will chase away immediately most of the time. Now her chicks are all over the place. Very little fear of anyone.

They are back in the big coop. I have looked at 4 week photos of my past chicks. These are growing faster.

 

[mckenzy]

So my kids have decided that B2 needs to be replaced. They'd like either a Hen who lays dark brown eggs, or another EE who lays blue eggs. To make for even more colorful cartons! We are looking for a close to laying or already laying girl. Marans, Easter Egger, barred rock, ... Something neat and heat tolerant.

PM me if you are near Phoenix (home) or Gilbert (work) with a pullet or hen for sale.

Thanks for always being such a great forum for help, celebration, mourning and community. And even bigger thanks for the kind messages about our first chicken death.