Connecticut!

[CaCO3]

That whole area of the forum is difficult to use. Unless I missed it, there's no way to narrow by location. We just adopted a silkie roo because Beth happened to post here in the CT forum with a link to the Buy-Sell-Trade posting. Otherwise I might have found and taken another bantam roo by then - it's just too much to wade through.

Wish we had space for your boys! I told my husband we need a "bachelor pad" when we eventually leave CT and hopefully move to a much bigger more private piece of land. They can crow all they want then.

Do try craigs list as well... I have successfuly rehomed a number of roosters by posting there.

Yes, I agree it is confusing. Could not figure out how to close postings or move them. Did my classic double click on the submit button, so I posted it 2x accidentally. Ooops. I just put CT at the beginning of the subject line to narrow for geographic area. Put a posting for the boys on Craig's List, too. It may be irrational, but I always get uneasy with Craig's list. They may be "just chickens" and I am no vegetarian, but I get kind of protective of them. They are so mellow. If they had bad attitudes I am sure I would feel less maternal. There are 6 cross-breed eggs in my incubator, so I will need to toughen up when it comes time to rehome any males from that hatch. There is a third one, a splash, who is recovering from an injured hock after falling of his roost. He was having a great time chilling with the with the cats. I had to move him out to the garage because he was eating their world's best kitty litter.

 

[Adenium]

I have a Craigslist fear too. Visions of bored rotten kids getting animals to harm for fun. Sad that that's what comes to mind - I worry about a lot of things now that I never would have dreamed of when I was younger.

But rehoming any roo I think there's a very high chance he'll be used for food. We got very lucky to have just one and my sister was kind enough to take him. I assumed he'd be dinner if he went anywhere else, though he was a beautiful Partridge Rock. We don't have the heart to cull - so we can't hatch for now.

 

[pmessner]

Please forgive me for this stupid post but I am terribly sad this morning. I am watching a beautiful red tail hawk right now out my window... it is a long story and some parts quite honestly don't make sense... I just can't figure out what is upsetting me so much that tears are streaming down my face. I moved here 7 years ago... lovely cul de sac with protected common wetland bordering my property... I'm near the lilinonah dam project and we have lots of wildlife including bear and bald eagles. We had a beautiful pair of barred owls that everyone on the street enjoyed especially late summer when the juveniles would start sitting along the road out in the open and learn to call... quite a site... totally adorable. then a neighbor bought the house next to me.. clear cut every tree on his property including many over his property line right into the protected wetlands.... the rest of us, my self and two other households looked on in horror... the owls left, red tails moved in... life settled after a period of sad acceptance... a couple weeks ago the red tails started to get active with spring in the air and were flying about and calling to each other constantly... I lost two chickens and have been making all sorts of adjustments to protect my beautiful flock from this newest onslaught... then last weekend my neighbor told my husband he had shot one because they were a threat to his pigeons.... the breeding behavior has stopped, all is quiet now and I can see the remaining hawk sitting on a perch quietly watching the neighbors yard for a mouse to move. I probably should be grateful he eliminated the threat to my chickens but in truth I find myself terribly sad over the whole affair... the silence reminds me of when the barred owls left... I consider red tails more of a junk bird as they are so common and I really should not be upset but the sight of this now mateless bird is just tearing me apart. I know what my neighbor has done is illegal and I could report him as I could have when he cleared the wetlands... its not my style to report on neighbors... whats done is done and its not worth the animosity. I wish I could explain what is upsetting me so much about all this but I can't... so thank you for indulging me with a place to share this not completely chicken related post... I should be happy as the threat to my birds is now gone, but I am not. It all just seems sadly quiet. I was looking forward to watching the hawks raise out there young... even contemplating perhaps feeding them an alternative to chicken...

 

[pmessner]

I have a Craigslist fear too. Visions of bored rotten kids getting animals to harm for fun. Sad that that's what comes to mind - I worry about a lot of things now that I never would have dreamed of when I was younger.

But rehoming any roo I think there's a very high chance he'll be used for food. We got very lucky to have just one and my sister was kind enough to take him. I assumed he'd be dinner if he went anywhere else, though he was a beautiful Partridge Rock. We don't have the heart to cull - so we can't hatch for now.

I find the culling process difficult as well... last year my hatch average was 5 boys to two girls... how can that possibly be? I consistently get more roos than pullets. I have a family friend that raises them out to eat... which I have no problem with as long as they are treated well and killed humanely. If people knew what goes on within the beef pork and chicken industry they would be horrified... this way is so much less cruel.

 

[CaCO3]

Please forgive me for this stupid post but I am terribly sad this morning. I am watching a beautiful red tail hawk right now out my window... it is a long story and some parts quite honestly don't make sense... I just can't figure out what is upsetting me so much that tears are streaming down my face. I moved here 7 years ago... lovely cul de sac with protected common wetland bordering my property... I'm near the lilinonah dam project and we have lots of wildlife including bear and bald eagles. We had a beautiful pair of barred owls that everyone on the street enjoyed especially late summer when the juveniles would start sitting along the road out in the open and learn to call... quite a site... totally adorable. then a neighbor bought the house next to me.. clear cut every tree on his property including many over his property line right into the protected wetlands.... the rest of us, my self and two other households looked on in horror... the owls left, red tails moved in... life settled after a period of sad acceptance... a couple weeks ago the red tails started to get active with spring in the air and were flying about and calling to each other constantly... I lost two chickens and have been making all sorts of adjustments to protect my beautiful flock from this newest onslaught... then last weekend my neighbor told my husband he had shot one because they were a threat to his pigeons.... the breeding behavior has stopped, all is quiet now and I can see the remaining hawk sitting on a perch quietly watching the neighbors yard for a mouse to move. I probably should be grateful he eliminated the threat to my chickens but in truth I find myself terribly sad over the whole affair... the silence reminds me of when the barred owls left... I consider red tails more of a junk bird as they are so common and I really should not be upset but the sight of this now mateless bird is just tearing me apart. I know what my neighbor has done is illegal and I could report him as I could have when he cleared the wetlands... its not my style to report on neighbors... whats done is done and its not worth the animosity. I wish I could explain what is upsetting me so much about all this but I can't... so thank you for indulging me with a place to share this not completely chicken related post... I should be happy as the threat to my birds is now gone, but I am not. It all just seems sadly quiet. I was looking forward to watching the hawks raise out there young... even contemplating perhaps feeding them an alternative to chicken...

This is my mentality too. Although I don't believe they have they ability for instrospection as humans do, or feel awareness about grief, it is humanizing. Anthropomorphism, right? I can't watch too much Animal Planet, or the nature programs where the mothers lose their young. Neighbors are definitely a touchy issue. You have to look at them, every day. We have a lot of red-tail hawks too. Only have had one close-call, but the brahma just lost her tail. I put criss-crossed strings over the chicken yard and made a lean-to for the chickens to take cover. So far, so good.

 

[CaCO3]

I find the culling process difficult as well... last year my hatch average was 5 boys to two girls... how can that possibly be? I consistently get more roos than pullets. I have a family friend that raises them out to eat... which I have no problem with as long as they are treated well and killed humanely. If people knew what goes on within the beef pork and chicken industry they would be horrified... this way is so much less cruel.

I try to tell myself that it's not worth ten bucks, for the hassle of buying + butchering. Or, wouldn't they just buy meat chickens instead? Call me naive. Maybe I will raise the price to make it even less appealing. Then I'll have them forever..... The cross-breeds have a more grim outlook. Some farmer I'd make.

BTW- Happy NATIONAL POULTRY DAY!!!!!!

 

[new chick 203]

I understand feeling like what's done is done, but they clearly feel like they are beyond the law. Who knows how far they will go. Our town has recently given fines to people who have cleared wetlands like you mentioned. I would let the authorities know.

Please forgive me for this stupid post but I am terribly sad this morning. I am watching a beautiful red tail hawk right now out my window... it is a long story and some parts quite honestly don't make sense... I just can't figure out what is upsetting me so much that tears are streaming down my face. I moved here 7 years ago... lovely cul de sac with protected common wetland bordering my property... I'm near the lilinonah dam project and we have lots of wildlife including bear and bald eagles. We had a beautiful pair of barred owls that everyone on the street enjoyed especially late summer when the juveniles would start sitting along the road out in the open and learn to call... quite a site... totally adorable. then a neighbor bought the house next to me.. clear cut every tree on his property including many over his property line right into the protected wetlands.... the rest of us, my self and two other households looked on in horror... the owls left, red tails moved in... life settled after a period of sad acceptance... a couple weeks ago the red tails started to get active with spring in the air and were flying about and calling to each other constantly... I lost two chickens and have been making all sorts of adjustments to protect my beautiful flock from this newest onslaught... then last weekend my neighbor told my husband he had shot one because they were a threat to his pigeons.... the breeding behavior has stopped, all is quiet now and I can see the remaining hawk sitting on a perch quietly watching the neighbors yard for a mouse to move. I probably should be grateful he eliminated the threat to my chickens but in truth I find myself terribly sad over the whole affair... the silence reminds me of when the barred owls left... I consider red tails more of a junk bird as they are so common and I really should not be upset but the sight of this now mateless bird is just tearing me apart. I know what my neighbor has done is illegal and I could report him as I could have when he cleared the wetlands... its not my style to report on neighbors... whats done is done and its not worth the animosity. I wish I could explain what is upsetting me so much about all this but I can't... so thank you for indulging me with a place to share this not completely chicken related post... I should be happy as the threat to my birds is now gone, but I am not. It all just seems sadly quiet. I was looking forward to watching the hawks raise out there young... even contemplating perhaps feeding them an alternative to chicken...

 

[Adenium]

I lean towards what new chick said too. Obviously you don't want to start a war with someone who has adjacent property, but then you might have a lot more to endure. I think people really do need to have some consequences for their actions or they just keep them up and/or escalate.

I completely understand your celebration of the wildlife you were privileged to see and the sadness at being powerless to stop the changes around you. It wasn't a stupid post! Have you talked to your other neighbors, the ones who were horrified along with you? Perhaps you could all approach him. Or all let the authorities know.

We have lots of predators too, but even if one managed to get a chicken I wouldn't want to kill it. Every time I see satellite pictures I'm shocked at how little land the animals have left. I root for our fox every year and love seeing the hawks. I just also make sure my chickens are very secure.

So sorry you're stuck in this situation.

 

[Mikedero]

Wow after reading the last few posts I guess I am different then most. My neighbor had his chickens killed by raccoons. I went out got my trappers permit and precedded to cull every raccoon and skunk that came on both our properties. I did not jstu waste them I skinned and tanned the hides.

ANY Predators that can harm my chickens, rabbits, Quail or Chukars I put down (with in the law) I will not harm the hawks or owls as they can not get in my chicken runs. But raccoons, Coyotes, Skunks, Opossums will be dealt with in a swift and final no secodn chance.

I am a avid hunter mostly Deer and Rabbits. but I also raise meat birds and have had to cull my chickens before.

I feel like there is a huge and unacceptable disconnect between people and their food. Somehow we've gone from valuing and appreciating our food to thinking that it is dangerous, dirty and just plain "yucky." I guess Joel Salatin says it best “The average person is still under the aberrant delusion that food should be somebody else's responsibility until I'm ready to eat it.”

It's the whole city/suburbia lifestyle. Sadly the majority of those in this country would not be able to survive if something drastic did happen. Skills of our grandparents are being lost at an alarming rate.

 

[Mikedero]

Oh and i might add that I did start a little war with one neighbor as they throw all their table scraps out into the yard to feed the raccoons and everything else.

they had gotten so brave that when we came out side they would not run away. I explained to him that by doing this he is sealing their fate and that I will put down every single one of them.

Just to give you a idea on how bad it had gotten in this past trapping season 18 raccoons, 10 skunks, 4 Opossums. Before this my yard looked like wild hogs went thru it the skunks dig up me entire yard. I did not trap any coyotes as they only came around because of the small animals around and they are now gone.

They stopped doing this when a dog down the street got rabies and the DEP came out to find out why there where so many in a little 20 acres of woods behind our houses. they got fined and the DEP told me outright that I should keep doing what I am doing as most people do not know this but it is illegal to live trap raccoons, skunks, Opossums and release them at other palces due to their high rates of rabies. and to protect yourself and your property you have every right to put them down.

I do not blame the animals I blame the neighbor for feeding them and not makign them afraid of humans...... ALL WILD animals should be afraid of us as it saves their lives.

I did not take joy in any of this as I only hunt for food and felt that it was a waste but I also feel my life and my pets lives where at risk