California - Northern

[SilkiesForEver]

When parlour rollers are judged the judge will roll them first, if they fly they are DQ'd. That is what makes them a great first bird for the kids, if they get loose they can be caught again. Another reason we got them is we have so many hawks around and we don't feel guilty for not allowing them to free fly. We have been offered lots of homers & racers but they wouldn't last long here.

That's very interesting. Thanks for the info.

 

[Mikes1flock]

Good morning my friends

I had a lot of Hawks around and my pen is large with an open top. I ran fishing line on the top,I have not lost one Bird c
Since, as a matter of fact I mite see one once a month if at all. This also works for koi ponds.
Your friend Mike

 

[tommysgirl]

Good morning my friends

I had a lot of Hawks around and my pen is large with an open top. I ran fishing line on the top,I have not lost one Bird c
Since, as a matter of fact I mite see one once a month if at all. This also works for koi ponds.
Your friend Mike

Hi Mike! Welcome. Is that a young Polish in your avatar? Her crest looks like the one on my Polish Dorking cross so I was curious.

 

[Sueg4332]

Sorry to hear about the bobcat taking your favorite hen.

A good friend swears by a Truview camera, about $70.

Does anyone know what predator can take away a bird without any feather loss (beside a human?)

During a few weeks span (a month ago), we had a (supervised) freeranging chicken missing every other day (9 birds total). We couldn't figure out when, or where they were going missing, but we stepped up security all around including their fenced pens, and it still happened.

Then one day, we had only one single sign of a struggle, and found only one feather. It appeared the one hen was dragged struggling, but didn't lose feathers. The predator's prints were impossible to make out, but the best we could discern, that attack appeared four legged. Then, in the midst of the struggle, there were no more drag marks, nor any more prints. (I think the ground was harder there.) and the trail led nowhere.

We searched for hours in brush in the side lit morning sunlight and flashlights, but never found any more signs, nor even another feather. Since then, we've fenced in that area we believe they may have been abducted from. My husband believes the predators were likely eagles since we haven't seen any other prints, but I think it's something else that was carting them off.

This is the area we believe was the target area (now fenced in). Hen on the left is missing.



Strangely, we were out with them most of the day on those missing days, we haven't have seen nor heard from the chickens absolutely nothing, unless something flies overhead. So either it waited for us to go out of sight, or, it came during times we were indoors. We've searched for coyote scat and other droppings, but nothing recent. Luckily, it has been a few weeks now, and no more missing chickens. Either the predator has moved on, the fenced area keeps the chickens away from the vunerable area, or it has found an easier meal, etc. This was mystifying.

We've had ravens kill chickens in the past by falling from the sky and breaking the hen's necks. (Seen them in do this in action on more than one occasion.) Coyotes in the past who left mountains of feathers but nothing else. No raccoon or skunk issues, but chickens missing with nearly no sign, very strange.

Any thoughts?

people !!!!! I lost 10 teenage pullets one day or night Not a feather on the ground in a pen with gate close......

 

[ronott1]

people !!!!! I lost 10 teenage pullets one day or night Not a feather on the ground in a pen with gate close......

Maybe it was a human predator?

 

[Mikes1flock]

Thank you for the warm welcome
Yes she is young and her name is Lady Gaga lol and I have changed her picture with a young white cream leg bar hen. Your friend Mike

 

[DawnridgeFarm]

We live in Grass Valley, about 50 miles north east of Sacramento. I always thought of the Bay Area in Northern CA and central was Monteray, Salinas, Bakersfield, etc. Hope to get lots of good info here!

 

[ronott1]

We live in Grass Valley, about 50 miles north east of Sacramento. I always thought of the Bay Area in Northern CA and central was Monteray, Salinas, Bakersfield, etc. Hope to get lots of good info here!

Let us know what you want help with!

You are in a very nice area too.

 

[tommysgirl]

Hey @PetRock eggs arrived YESTERDAY!!!

I took pics but still have to email them to myself. You packed them beautifully. Thanks so so much for all your efforts and the extras. The PO did damage the outer box but there were no breaks or cracks to the eggs. There were a couple of floating air cells after 24 hours but I just went ahead and put them under her with the good ones. Love the color of those green ones

Has anyone ever hatched eggs with air cell damage under a broody? I googled it but was unable to find much specifically about it. So these babies should be here on the 27th. Looking forward to whatever comes from this clutch

 

[PetRock]

Hey @PetRock eggs arrived YESTERDAY!!!

I took pics but still have to email them to myself. You packed them beautifully. Thanks so so much for all your efforts and the extras. The PO did damage the outer box but there were no breaks or cracks to the eggs. There were a couple of floating air cells after 24 hours but I just went ahead and put them under her with the good ones. Love the color of those green ones

Has anyone ever hatched eggs with air cell damage under a broody? I googled it but was unable to find much specifically about it. So these babies should be here on the 27th. Looking forward to whatever comes from this clutch

Whoo hoo!!!!! That's good news! I look forward to seeing the pics and hearing how the hatch goes. Go, Norma, go!!!