Arizona Chickens

[BlueBaby]

A few days ago I interrupted a young Harris' hawk feasting on a dove in our oleander. This morning I heard a huge commotion among the chickens and I ran out to see what was happening and there was a Harris' hawk (probably the same one) perched on a box about 3' from the hens, who were in hysterics.

What do you all use as hawk deterrents?

I've had those cooper hawks around before and just chased them off. One time I seen 3 of them flying around over here at the same time. All you can really do is to make sure that your coop and run is as predator proof as you can make it on top, bottom, and sides.

 

[cavemanrich]

What do you all use as hawk deterrents?

I don't encounter hawks too often, but a year or two ago, There was one parked high up in a tree in the back yard. My chickens were hiding under bushes in same backyard.
I started yelling, and making all kind of noise. No reaction from hawk. Hawk knew it was safe out of reach up high.
Also considerably higher than what my water hose could spray.
So my plan B, went into effect. Went to garage, and lit a firecracker, and threw onto driveway. Hawk was gone like the wind.
This was one of the small size firecrackers,, Not the LARGE/LOUD style like Cherry Bomb, or M80.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

I don't encounter hawks too often, but a year or two ago, There was one parked high up in a tree in the back yard. My chickens were hiding under bushes in same backyard.
I started yelling, and making all kind of noise. No reaction from hawk. Hawk knew it was safe out of reach up high.
Also considerably higher than what my water hose could spray.
So my plan B, went into effect. Went to garage, and lit a firecracker, and threw onto driveway. Hawk was gone like the wind.
This was one of the small size firecrackers,, Not the LARGE/LOUD style like Cherry Bomb, or M80.

That's brilliant. I need to track down some firecrackers.

 

[Happy Novogens]

View attachment 4271663

Absolutely love this photo! I saved it for a wallpaper screensaver (for next year, of course)! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Happy Novogens]

Yes. Cats are funny too. They don't realize things like they're in a house with deadbolts and walls etc. But in case her stools are a bit looser (I think you said they were always loose though), I gave my older cat some clay (Pets RX, RX clay powder as it was the only thing that helped. My money is still on the tall sides on the litter box. My older cat is very tall too, and the 8-9" high sides virtually always caught any pee over the sides. Especially if you only use 2-3" of litter. The experts are now saying to only use that much so that the box feels stable to them, even though the litter companies say to use 4-5 inches or so.

Thought I should follow up a bit here in case anyone is curious.

I moved the litter box to a different part of the room. Unfortunately it didn't seem to make a difference. I also took her to the vet. Bloodwork came back normal but the vet suspects some IBD or similar. He wants her on a hydrolyzed protein diet so we're almost finished transitioning her to that new food. Too soon for results.

I hope we get some resolution sooner than later. In just about a week, our son, his wife and almost 2-year old are moving in from out of state until they can get situated. They'll be taking over her room and another. Our cat won't be happy

 

[BlueBaby]

Thought I should follow up a bit here in case anyone is curious.

I moved the litter box to a different part of the room. Unfortunately it didn't seem to make a difference. I also took her to the vet. Bloodwork came back normal but the vet suspects some IBD or similar. He wants her on a hydrolyzed protein diet so we're almost finished transitioning her to that new food. Too soon for results.

I hope we get some resolution sooner than later. In just about a week, our son, his wife and almost 2-year old are moving in from out of state until they can get situated. They'll be taking over her room and another. Our cat won't be happy

No, I doubt if she will be happy about that, at least not at first and will probably want to hide somewhere.

 

[springvalley123]

Thought I should follow up a bit here in case anyone is curious.

I moved the litter box to a different part of the room. Unfortunately it didn't seem to make a difference. I also took her to the vet. Bloodwork came back normal but the vet suspects some IBD or similar. He wants her on a hydrolyzed protein diet so we're almost finished transitioning her to that new food. Too soon for results.

I hope we get some resolution sooner than later. In just about a week, our son, his wife and almost 2-year old are moving in from out of state until they can get situated. They'll be taking over her room and another. Our cat won't be happy

Ugh. I had a cat try the hydrolized protein diet--she didn't like it and wouldn't eat it. Fortunately I figured that out so I put her back on her old food before her failure to eat destroyed her liver. Hmm--maybe you could move her to a different room that won't be taken over? That doesn't have a window where she can see possible other animals out of?? I don't envy you.

 

[Happy Novogens]

Ugh. I had a cat try the hydrolized protein diet--she didn't like it and wouldn't eat it. Fortunately I figured that out so I put her back on her old food before her failure to eat destroyed her liver. Hmm--maybe you could move her to a different room that won't be taken over? That doesn't have a window where she can see possible other animals out of?? I don't envy you.

Thankfully she seems to be ok with the new food.

But unfortunately we don't have any other rooms for her. Her room will likely be used as an office since my son works from home, so she'll still have it all to herself at night. Hopefully that won't be too bad.

This morning I found she had used her litterbox twice for poo. But she peed on the plastic covered couch instead.

 

[Three Stents]

flavored instant oatmeal ok for their breakfast?

 

[BlueBaby]

flavored instant oatmeal ok for their breakfast?

I don't see how that would hurt, as I use the instant regular oatmeal. I cook it first though, and add some of their feed to it after it's cooked, and sometimes mix in other stuff that they can eat.