Chickens for 10-20 years or more? Pull up a rockin' chair and lay some wisdom on us!

[Gigiintheforest]

Originally Posted by Leahs Mom

Question re: night gard lights for preditors.
Do they work or is it just one of those things they sell to make money on trusting people? Are any OTs using?

http://www.niteguard.com/

(Please forgive if this has been addressed here before..if so, can you direct me?.)

They seem to work most of the time for most predators, but they didn't bother a red fox I just caught in a live trap. The only thing I really trust is an electric fence.

Walt

Best Predator control is my Blue cattle that has rid me of rats cats, foxes, possums and a large eagle that was tempted (In Australia thats about it for pests)

So he does well....Then herds them into the coop if they stray too long at dusk.

Sam

Very cool dog!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Walt...what size live trap do you need for a fox? I have one that is large enough for raccoons (and I've caught 4 so far this spring) but I think I'd need a larger one for a fox or coyote.

I forgot to add that we had been putting the trap out every night, and 2 nights in a row SOMETHING LARGE got into it, got the meat, and got out. It was drug away from the are it was set in so I imagine that whatever it was got in there, had the trap door shut and hit it's back, then was able to back out, dragging the trap in the process.

The second time the trap was on it's side, door shut, no animal inside, all bait gone. Been putting in cooked chicken carcass from dinner and some raw venison in addition to some bird seed, shelled p-nuts, etc.

 

[fowlman01]

Walt...what size live trap do you need for a fox? I have one that is large enough for raccoons (and I've caught 4 so far this spring) but I think I'd need a larger one for a fox or coyote.

I have had foxes jam themselves into a havahart trap I have here and there is no way they can turn around.....but the bigger the better. If a coon can fit and fox can fit.

Walt

 

[Ivywoods]

They seem to work most of the time for most predators, but they didn't bother a red fox I just caught in a live trap. The only thing I really trust is an electric fence.

Walt

The one night we accidently left a light on by our goose pen was the night raccoons ripped their heds off through the wire. Coincidence? Maybe.
Look at my avatar. THAT is my predator protection. We have over 50 acres of woods around us. Bobcats, coyotes, raccoons, possums, skunks, reports of mountain lions, but I personally have not seen any of those. They have been photographed on trail cams not too far from here.. Buddy and his son, Runt have kept our place 100% safe from pedators.

Great pyrenees-Win. Can't even count the score.
Predators-Zero.

I don't even lock my birds up at night. Now, I wouldn't recommend that to anyone unless you know you've got the kind of protection these guys provide.

 

[bruceh]

chickens well what can i say about chickens. they are chickens. if you watch your flock and take notice of needs, stay out of mother natures way, provide amble food, water and shelter all will be well..Chickens live in the moment they learn what to fear. they learn how to eat, and drink and they survive. they have done this for thousands of years with out mans interference. the problem comes in when man interfers . An old man once told me if you put furniture in a room and close the door you can come back 100 years form now and all will be the same.. open the door for a day and a human being will mess the whole room up. with that said no interference is necessary other than common sense.
i want to remind everyone i know absolutly nothing and don't claim to. other than the sense that g-d gave me. to those of you who pray for the souls of chickens including myself. yes it is very nice way of giving thanks.

 

[furbabymum]

The one night we accidently left a light on by our goose pen was the night raccoons ripped their heds off through the wire. Coincidence? Maybe.
Look at my avatar. THAT is my predator protection. We have over 50 acres of woods around us. Bobcats, coyotes, raccoons, possums, skunks, reports of mountain lions, but I personally have not seen any of those. They have been photographed on trail cams not too far from here.. Buddy and his son, Runt have kept our place 100% safe from pedators.

Great pyrenees-Win. Can't even count the score.
Predators-Zero.

I don't even lock my birds up at night. Now, I wouldn't recommend that to anyone unless you know you've got the kind of protection these guys provide.

Great Pyrenees believer here. Repelled an intruder from our home and makes us all feel very safe! Though I wouldn't recommend them to just anyone as he is incredibly strong willed and would roflstomp a dog newb.

 

[hannahransom]

Great Pyrenees believer here. Repelled an intruder from our home and makes us all feel very safe! Though I wouldn't recommend them to just anyone as he is incredibly strong willed and would roflstomp a dog newb.

Why do you say that? Curious because I don't have dogs but someday I would like a guard dog. Total dog newb.


Question: How often do your birds have poop stuck to their fluffy butts? I have had a couple with literal clumps and some with just some on feathers. A couple of mine do have really fluffy butts, but it seems weird. They can still poop but I figure the nice thing to do is to help them. I have just clipped off the clumps but I was doing that to one and noticed she also had some JUST under her vent very close to the skin as well (looks like I will have to get a warm washcloth). It's not visible when she is just standing there, but when I was clipping off the clump I noticed. Anyway, what's up with this, is it normal, should I intervene when they get poop on feathers, etc.?

 

[IamSamSam]

Great Pyrenees believer here. Repelled an intruder from our home and makes us all feel very safe! Though I wouldn't recommend them to just anyone as he is incredibly strong willed and would roflstomp a dog newb.

LOVE the Picture. I have posted Sam in other posts but here is my guardian.






- Any feelings on the girls eating dog food (dry kibble) I have changed Sams food times to night after the girls are
in bed. I figure the protein content would be too high for them ?

SamSam

 

[bruceh]

the simple answer to poop stuck on feathers. if the poop is not hindering the chickens ability to go then it won't harm the chicken. if the waste clogs the vent ( pasty butt ) then this is a problem and assistance is needed.. if pasty butt occurs there is an issue in something either tempature, feed , water, keep an eye on the flock and make an adjustment.

 

[Zany Chick]

Worming:

...use curcurbits and Black Walnut tea...

I'd rather risk looking stupid than not ask, so what is curcurbits and how do you make Black Walnut tea?