California - Northern

[chiqita]

Crissy!I forgot to say try cds in your padture. The flashes look like flames and freak out hawks.

 

[capayvalleychick]

My usual luck with not having predator attacks seems to be gone this year.

I was out of town, yesterday, and called my DH to ask him to feed and close up coops for me. When I got home, he told me that he had found a headless Delaware in the olive orchard and that a Dorking was missing.
I was impressed that he actually knew how many chickens should be in the mobile coop. When I mentioned that, he told me the population numbers for all the coops. He shows little interest in my chickens and rarely cares for them, so I was surprised. Gotta love the guy.

I found the Dorking hiding under the mobile coop. He says that she was not there when he closed up the coop.

The Del that was killed was one that I didn't plan on keeping for long, so that wasn't too bad of a loss. I'm wondering if whatever killed the lamb may be back with an appetite for chickens. I have to leave again today, so I'm worried. I guess I just won't let any chickens out of their coops today. I hope this doesn't cause fighting, since they are all used to ranging. The 5 male Dels (my breeders) are in the smallest coop and are already sparring with each other even when they are out in the run. They are not close to where the hen was killed but I don't want to risk losing them.

I especially like the pasture chickens to be out in the olive orchard this time of year. They clean up all the fallen olives, which helps prevent against olive fruit fly infestation. When I'm able to be home, maybe I'll tie a dog out there during the day.

 

[ronott1]

My usual luck with not having predator attacks seems to be gone this year.

I was out of town, yesterday, and called my DH to ask him to feed and close up coops for me. When I got home, he told me that he had found a headless Delaware in the olive orchard and that a Dorking was missing.
I was impressed that he actually knew how many chickens should be in the mobile coop. When I mentioned that, he told me the population numbers for all the coops. He shows little interest in my chickens and rarely cares for them, so I was surprised. Gotta love the guy.

I found the Dorking hiding under the mobile coop. He says that she was not there when he closed up the coop.

The Del that was killed was one that I didn't plan on keeping for long, so that wasn't too bad of a loss. I'm wondering if whatever killed the lamb may be back with an appetite for chickens. I have to leave again today, so I'm worried. I guess I just won't let any chickens out of their coops today. I hope this doesn't cause fighting, since they are all used to ranging. The 5 male Dels (my breeders) are in the smallest coop and are already sparring with each other even when they are out in the run. They are not close to where the hen was killed but I don't want to risk losing them.

I especially like the pasture chickens to be out in the olive orchard this time of year. They clean up all the fallen olives, which helps prevent against olive fruit fly infestation. When I'm able to be home, maybe I'll tie a dog out there during the day.

Given a recent discussion I was part of, it sounds like a Bob Cat.

This is the third drought year--We have not had a time like this since 1976-1977. Lots of Wild life is struggling for survival. Hopefully we will get normal rain again and next year will be better.

 

[capayvalleychick]

Given a recent discussion I was part of, it sounds like a Bob Cat.

That's what I was thinking, since that's what we think killed the lamb.

@lawatt do you think a bobcat will move on if I lock the chickens up for a while?

I'm not set up at all for containing chickens during the day, so I'm not sure what to do. There is already an electric (rope) fence around the pasture. The chickens go under it to get into the orchard. There is a field fence on the other side of the orchard, so dogs can't get through.

 

[tommysgirl]

No, not doing any chicken stuff...................although I know several sets of hatching eggs I'd like to come home with. Hmmmm, how do you explain 6+ dozen eggs in your lunch bag? I REALLY like hard-boiled eggs as a treat on the plane, honest officer.

I'll be on the north island, I'm going to be home based near Auckland. There will be 7-10 days visiting my friend's son/family, then two weeks travelling around and the final week back with family. I'm supposed to be planning sights to see and photograph. The only specific destination so far is to see The Shire (the hobbit movie set). I'd like to see the gannet colony, do some whale watching and wildlife photography. I'm packing lots of camera gear. It will be autumn there.

Cool! Your plans sound amazing! So great that you get to have a vacation. My family is on the North Island too. They have a sheep station in Mercer. Caesar Roose's http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/4r27/roose-caesar wife was my grandfather's sister and their daughter Jeanette and her husband and kids have been running the ranch or decades

When you get back I would like to schedule a meet up for NH eggs or littles to give mamas when the anticipated broody fever hits in the spring. I have New Hampshire fever. It goes along with Delaware fever.

9 months and no egg? is that a breed thing or is this from the winter contributing to late laying?

That is a long time but when the breed and the shorter days conspire it happens. I have a 7+ old Icelandic that SHOULD be laying and is just starting to showi signs and a Speckled Sussex of the same age who surprised me by starting to lay a few weeks back. Sussex are notorious late layers but they make up for it in sweetness and beauty

 

[liz9910]

Quote:
She is so beautiful! I have to have some now

 

[tommysgirl]

My usual luck with not having predator attacks seems to be gone this year.

I was out of town, yesterday, and called my DH to ask him to feed and close up coops for me. When I got home, he told me that he had found a headless Delaware in the olive orchard and that a Dorking was missing.

I am sorry to hear that

I hope you can figure out a system that works for you. But mostly I hope that the predators find another food source that isn't in anyone's yard.

 

[lawatt]

That's what I was thinking, since that's what we think killed the lamb.

@lawatt do you think a bobcat will move on if I lock the chickens up for a while?

I'm not set up at all for containing chickens during the day, so I'm not sure what to do. There is already an electric (rope) fence around the pasture. The chickens go under it to get into the orchard. There is a field fence on the other side of the orchard, so dogs can't get through.

bobcats supposedly hunt over a fairly large range of territory, except for mothers with kittens in a den -- then they'll stay close to one place. so if it's a bobcat, yes, likely to move on.

but biting the head off a chicken does NOT sound feline to me -- if you watch a housecat with a caught mouse or bird, they usually start at the back/underside end, which is easiest to tear into. i would think a bird missing a head but not chewed on in any other way would be something else, maybe a skunk or a weasel?

 

[chrissyr]

Crissy!I forgot to say try cds in your padture. The flashes look like flames and freak out hawks.

Thank you chiqita, will try that

My usual luck with not having predator attacks seems to be gone this year.

I was out of town, yesterday, and called my DH to ask him to feed and close up coops for me. When I got home, he told me that he had found a headless Delaware in the olive orchard and that a Dorking was missing.
I was impressed that he actually knew how many chickens should be in the mobile coop. When I mentioned that, he told me the population numbers for all the coops. He shows little interest in my chickens and rarely cares for them, so I was surprised. Gotta love the guy.

I found the Dorking hiding under the mobile coop. He says that she was not there when he closed up the coop.

The Del that was killed was one that I didn't plan on keeping for long, so that wasn't too bad of a loss. I'm wondering if whatever killed the lamb may be back with an appetite for chickens. I have to leave again today, so I'm worried. I guess I just won't let any chickens out of their coops today. I hope this doesn't cause fighting, since they are all used to ranging. The 5 male Dels (my breeders) are in the smallest coop and are already sparring with each other even when they are out in the run. They are not close to where the hen was killed but I don't want to risk losing them.

I especially like the pasture chickens to be out in the olive orchard this time of year. They clean up all the fallen olives, which helps prevent against olive fruit fly infestation. When I'm able to be home, maybe I'll tie a dog out there during the day.

I am so sorry to hear about your predator problem. it just keeps you on edge. I only let the birds out while i was there, which isn't nearly the amount i'd like.

Given a recent discussion I was part of, it sounds like a Bob Cat.

This is the third drought year--We have not had a time like this since 1976-1977. Lots of Wild life is struggling for survival. Hopefully we will get normal rain again and next year will be better.

oh that's interesting Ron. My birds have ranged in their pasture this whole year and no problems. I figured it may be from winter and a lack of food. My neighbor said it was a smaller raptor and not the hawks around, he saw this bird with my chick. I'm wondering if they will go after my bigger birds too. I will try the cd thing chiqita mentioned and found a 50'x50' foot netting on amazon for $59 (including shipping ) .

**Has anyone had problems with Mac computers crashing on BYC. EVERYTIME i post it crashes and restarts the internet page. I have all my computer updates.

 

[chrissyr]

Quote:
I just can't quit looking at this beautiful bird!