Chicken thieves - tampa area

[FuzzyButtsFarm]

I have 22 BO 3 1/2 wk old chicks. And 22 in the incubator due to hatch Palm Sunday. I'm in Lake Wales and could meet you half way. If you want a few. I wouldn't trust the post office. There is nothing worse that a thief.

It took me 3 wks to finish my run cause someone stole a roll of welded wire fence off my truck parked in my carport. I'm on a fixed income and had to wait till I could fit it into my budget. The police in Poke

county are no help.

 

[NHchicks]

Wow! Makes me think of 2 things: Either someone is hungry, or a neighbor hates your flock.

Sad either way, I would be mortified if someone stole my chickens. Did you call the police? Also, might want to think about either a real surveillance camera, or just a fake one.

 

[Bi0s]

This happening alot lately these days due to the price of chickens and the way the economy is.. its sad but its true thats why i like living in a small town way out in the woods

 

[chicken crazed 1o1]

I hope you will find your chickens .

 

[schellie69]

first

and I am so sorry this happened. It seems to be happening a lot lately. I hope you catch the thieves and find your birds.

 

[mariel37]

I live in Ocala - right up the road from you all.

I am so sorry about your chickens. We are in to week 6 of our first flock as well ...

 

[speckledhen]

I'm so sorry, Linda. I'd be devastated! Hope you reported it. Our member, halo, also lives near Ocala and may be able to help you with some of her beautiful EEs and Blue Rocks.

 

[Emmalion]

Oh that is horrible. I have been reading a lot on here about people having their chickens stolen right out of their coop.

When I read about the poor Silkie Roo being taken and returned in a feed bag with his legs zip-tied that sealed the deal with me putting a dead bolt on the new coop. I installed it already and it works great.
I suggest you get a lock for your coop if you get new ones. If they know you have chickens they will be back if they are stealing them for food. Human predators are the worst. At least animals kill out of instinct.

I by no means have expensive chickens but they are my babies and I want them as safe as can be.

I hope you catch them jerks

 

[DTRM30]

Quote:
x2 - get a lock for your coop. They are pretty cheap but a good deterrant. If you can afford it - a game cam would help as well - if they come back you'll have photographic proof.

I put a lock on mine after one of my first pullets went missing while I was away for the weekend. That was only one chicken - and I have a feeling that it was the neighbors kid not meaning any harm to them. I think what happened was she wanted to see the chickens, and went in the run - but one got out and she couldn't catch it. With all the coyote/bobcat and etc. around me I'm sure she was dinner real quick to local predators.

something like that I can excuse - she's young and didn't do it on purpose. But something like that - your whole flock - that's not an accident.

I agree - someone didn't like your roo making noise - or someone is hungry.

 

[PapaChaz]

the game cam recommended above is a great idea. i have one set up at a deer feeder in the yard down by the creek. it works off body heat, not motion. when i first set it up, i had it aimed toward the driveway and any time we came in and out it got a pic of the vehicle. it can be activated by birds, squirrels, coons, possums, cats....i have several pics of my self on the mower, LOL
these are a great way to 'watch over' your flock. mine used an SD memory card just like any other camera, 6 d cell batteries will last about 4 months. I'd set one of these up somewhere inconspicuous watching over the coop. you can get them at walmart in the sporting goods dept. good luck catching the thieves, sorry for your loss, nice to see all who said they would help replace the flock with some freebies for you, ain't this place great!