California - Northern

[Sylvester017]

I agree with that contagious part. Today, I have 4 more pullets who have decided that motherhood is for them, too!

Our first abnormal heatwave in this drought-ridden State and the broodies went to work! They don't usually start this early but then nothing has been normal in the weather pattern these last couple years.

 

[caychris]

A friend of mine called devestadet over the death his chickens which were killed last night. They were kept in a large coop with chain link, lined with chicken wire. Somehow, Raccoons ripped the chicken wire, reached in through the chain link, and which ever chickens they could reach, tore them apart.
He walked into a blood bath this morning. Some were still alive, but, beyond saving, so he had to end their suffering. Many of his beloved chickens are dead, and he is beyond consoling. My heart goes out to him and his poor, lovely chickens who had a horrible death.
It is breeding time for many predators, and they are on the prowl. Raccoons have no problem ripping the regular chicken wires. I hope this horrific incident doesn't happen again.

Lual

Coons are nasty things and one reason a friend of ours doesnt have a backyard flock. They live near one of the drainage highways that the coons patrol.


This brings the whole coop design issue to mind in my brain. For me I think to build as secure a sleeping and laying house as I can. Usually out of wood making ventilation as inaccessible as possible. (Small spaces wire covered, reinforced even thinking of using solar powered fan to cover the space)

Having the enclosed space makes them secure when they are most vulnerable.


On a side project
I'm looking into a mechanical way to raise a sliding coop door on a timer. Something similar to a garage door opener which will wind a cable to open the door and release the cable to lower the door. (Gravity to lower really) A spooled cable can be measured to length and then directed through eyes/pulleys.

 

[Sylvester017]

A friend of mine called devestadet over the death his chickens which were killed last night. They were kept in a large coop with chain link, lined with chicken wire. Somehow, Raccoons ripped the chicken wire, reached in through the chain link, and which ever chickens they could reach, tore them apart.
He walked into a blood bath this morning. Some were still alive, but, beyond saving, so he had to end their suffering. Many of his beloved chickens are dead, and he is beyond consoling. My heart goes out to him and his poor, lovely chickens who had a horrible death.
It is breeding time for many predators, and they are on the prowl. Raccoons have no problem ripping the regular chicken wires. I hope this horrific incident doesn't happen again.

Lual

Thank you for sharing as this experience is good feedback to newbies. Over on the BYC "post your chicken coop pictures here" thread we are always trying to get that message across to new chickeneers about the cheapness and impractical chicken hex poultry wire. It is useless against the cleverly intelligent raccoon or the bolsterous canine predators like coyotes/foxes/stray dogs or small cat family like lynx and bobcats. I don't feel sorry for your friend who should've been more security conscious about his flock but I ache for the suffering of the innocent hens who depend on us for their protection and care. You should post your story above on the "post your chicken coop pictures here" thread as many new chickeneers need to read this experience firsthand to understand the importance of making their pens more secure than using chicken wire and instead to use 1/2-in. hardwire which will deter even snakes and rats and certainly keep out the ugly claws of raccoons, etc.

I hate to rant but you all know what I mean and probably understand.

 

[Sylvester017]

On a side project
I'm looking into a mechanical way to raise a sliding coop door on a timer. Something similar to a garage door opener which will wind a cable to open the door and release the cable to lower the door. (Gravity to lower really) A spooled cable can be measured to length and then directed through eyes/pulleys.

Here's an opener we're contemplating after our new coop arrives. Don't know if it will work with our coop build yet but it will raise/lower a pop-door on a timer. We have to wait until the coop arrives here before we know if there's room to mount the clock opener. It runs on battery rather than electricity. Who knows what kind of battery life it would have but we would only want to set it/use it when we happen to be gone and not use it EVERY day.
http://www.backyardchickencoops.com.au/coop-accessories/automatic-chicken-door-opener/

 

[Sylvester017]

I can not speak high enough of my California Gray hens. Their on the smaller size and lay 6 med size white eggs each week like clockwork. They are curious, friendly, and not rough with their pen mates.

My folks had CA Grays years ago as that was when they were getting popular and they are good birds. I bypassed anything w/Leg history just to be safe since my existing flock is nothing but a bunch of sissy gentle breeds.

I would love a flock of every variety of Leg on the planet from Exchequer, to Mille Fleurs, to Lt Brns/Dk Brns, Buffs, Blacks, Reds, Whites, 55-Flowers, Cream Legbars, Austra Whites, CA Whites, CA Grays, etc but we are zoned for only 5 hens (and happy to at least have THAT) -- many cities around us won't zone poultry at all. Because Leg history birds are still more assertive than the gentle breed flock we now have, I've had to pass on them. Maybe someday I'll have my Leg birds but not presently.

So far our most nurturing breed and who is kind to her flockmates has been the APA Blue Wheaten Ameraucana who lays as XL and as prolific as our old White Leg used to be. The difference being that the White Leg became progressively assertive each year while our Amer has remained a kind flockmate year after year and will allow us to pet and hold her too. Legs/Mediterraneans are not cuddly sorts.

 

[caychris]

Here's an opener we're contemplating after our new coop arrives. Don't know if it will work with our coop build yet but it will raise/lower a pop-door on a timer. We have to wait until the coop arrives here before we know if there's room to mount the clock opener. It runs on battery rather than electricity. Who knows what kind of battery life it would have but we would only want to set it/use it when we happen to be gone and not use it EVERY day.
http://www.backyardchickencoops.com.au/coop-accessories/automatic-chicken-door-opener/

Thanks similar to what I was invisioning but more DIY

 

[Sylvester017]

My friend has Appenzeller Spitzhaubens (from Switzerland) and although a light LF, they lay a large white egg, are curious and friendly (if handled a bit). I just hatched two to add to my flock as I didn't have any white egg layers, either. The chicks are gorgeous silvery little things!

These are stunning adult birds - both sexes. But I understand they are not docile but still a better looking bird than the plain White Leg. For eggs though the White Leg will surpass all other breeds in egg size and quantity. Spitz are beautiful eye candy though!

 

[Sylvester017]

Thanks similar to what I was invisioning but more DIY

I went on youtube to find some DIY and they were so complicated that the Australian clock timer looked easier to install.

 

[caychris]

A small reversible motor with a spool with timer switch should do it but I was thinking of being able to use a single motor to drive multiple spools at the same time for line breeding coops.

 

[farmhand]

A friend of mine called devestadet over the death his chickens which were killed last night. They were kept in a large coop with chain link, lined with chicken wire. Somehow, Raccoons ripped the chicken wire, reached in through the chain link, and which ever chickens they could reach, tore them apart.
He walked into a blood bath this morning. Some were still alive, but, beyond saving, so he had to end their suffering. Many of his beloved chickens are dead, and he is beyond consoling. My heart goes out to him and his poor, lovely chickens who had a horrible death.
It is breeding time for many predators, and they are on the prowl. Raccoons have no problem ripping the regular chicken wires. I hope this horrific incident doesn't happen again.

Lual

So sorry for your friend and her loss.