California - Northern

[OR4-hmom]

I've been setting the trap each night, three nights now.  So far, two raccoons and one possum............  That was the best 50 cent investment in cat food I ever had.

I'll be setting it again each night until I have several nights in a row with no catch.

Wishing you continued success! It's amazing how they can build up.

 

[chrissyr]

I've been setting the trap each night, three nights now. So far, two raccoons and one possum............ That was the best 50 cent investment in cat food I ever had.

I'll be setting it again each night until I have several nights in a row with no catch.

Glad it's working. About 17 years ago we had raccoons. Thought "they are SOOO cute!". Until they mauled my whole flock. Nasty things killed everything. Can't mess around with them. Coop was covered and sealed.
They pried open the chicken wire to get in.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Dealing with a fox here. My dog chased it off twice this morning. Hopefully it got the hint. I've never seen such a large gray fox before.

 

[chiqita]

hopeing good thoughts about meg. I have been worried about her in the fire.

I'm a little in shock here. Something ( dog? fox? weasel? ) got into my backyard while I was gone today between 10 ans 130. it ran around and killed almost everything. Louie 2 lived up to his dads legacy and was clearly in a fight with whatever it was, as well as iggy. Orlando is missing, but the girls he was most fond of, my easter eggers had been rounded up onto the porch and are alive. My ducks all have large wounds, a vet friend is coming around tonight to see if they will live or I need to put them down.

Only the breese that are completely contained AND covered were safe. Even the babies that were in the basement area that is part of the house were destroyed. So, it can and will climb 8 feet, is not afraid of humans and killed for sport at literally high noon. I cant cover either of my silkie land coops, the area is built with tree cover to keep them safe from hawks, but I could never make it so you could not climb it and jump in. They made a play for the full grown turkeys but did not get them, but were fast enough they got birds that can and do fly into the trees. Maybe a pack of fox or weasels? I don't know.

I don't know if I'm cut out for this. I just kept picking up fluffy bodies and saying i'm sorry... I'm still loosing it a bit when i type.

 

[chickee]

hopeing good thoughts about meg. I have been worried about her in the fire.

I'm a little in shock here. Something ( dog? fox? weasel? ) got into my backyard while I was gone today between 10 ans 130. it ran around and killed almost everything. Louie 2 lived up to his dads legacy and was clearly in a fight with whatever it was, as well as iggy. Orlando is missing, but the girls he was most fond of, my easter eggers had been rounded up onto the porch and are alive. My ducks all have large wounds, a vet friend is coming around tonight to see if they will live or I need to put them down.

Only the breese that are completely contained AND covered were safe. Even the babies that were in the basement area that is part of the house were destroyed. So, it can and will climb 8 feet, is not afraid of humans and killed for sport at literally high noon. I cant cover either of my silkie land coops, the area is built with tree cover to keep them safe from hawks, but I could never make it so you could not climb it and jump in. They made a play for the full grown turkeys but did not get them, but were fast enough they got birds that can and do fly into the trees. Maybe a pack of fox or weasels? I don't know.

I don't know if I'm cut out for this. I just kept picking up fluffy bodies and saying i'm sorry... I'm still loosing it a bit when i type.

OMG that is HORRIBLE!! SO, SO sorry!!

Hope you find out what did it so you know what you are up against!!

 

[OR4-hmom]

Oh no! Can't blame you a bit for still being shaken, I would be for months. Hope you find what did it and it goes away forever!

 

[chiqita]

oh, according to the european vets on the silkie forums, the wormer with the v is the best. the only thing that works against all worms in a chicken.

 

[chickee]

The predators appear to be very busy right now!!

This guy has been coming right up to the house the last few days. This picture was taken through our livingroom window. The Bobcat was about 6 feet away. Luckily he can't get into my chicken pens so he was hunting ground squirrels.

 

[Chickengirl1304]

Fall is a good time to worm flocks, I worm mine while they are molting.  (less eggs to toss)  I use Valbazen or Ivomec, so it doesn't affect their feather quality while molting.

Here's wishing a speedy safe trip of hatching eggs to Haileigh (waititout).  Good luck with your hatch!

How long do you have to toss eggs for?

 

[Happy Chooks]

I'm so sorry chiqita! My first thought was a dog, but they shouldn't be able to climb 8 feet. So I'd say fox or bobcat - both can climb very well. Could have been a cougar, but I've never heard of them killing for sport. Raccoons can come during the day, and they certainly kill for sport.