EDUCATIONAL INCUBATION & HATCHING CHAT THREAD, w/ Sally Sunshine Shipped Eggs

[Akrnaf2]

I have such a bad hawk problem that all my babies and bantams are FULLY enclosed. Even a small hole allowed a hawk to crawl in and kill my silkies. So, they are now secure. The teens on the other hand aren't so secure. We had a neighborhood cat come in and sit on a log and watch the hens for hours at a time. Never bothered them. Sadly, he disappeared about 6 months ago.



The folks at the pound are giving me cats that CURRENTLY live in the chicken coop. Again, they will only have access to the larger birds. Is there another reason we shouldn't mix them?



@Wickedchicken6 Hi! In all the cities surrounding me, there are thousands of wild bunnies. None that I've seen in my area though.

I've started feeding wet feed only. There is FAR, FAR less spilled on the ground. We bring in any feed un-eaten a little before dark. The hens do a good job of cleaning up after that. So, I don't think the rats are getting much food from us. But there are tons of places for them to breed. That's what I have my brother up here taking care of. He's been bringing my dog over every time he picks up a pallet or wire bale. Any rats that come out, the dog has been killing. I'm hoping the cats will actually go up in the tree where we see most of the rats.

No, but remmber that they will kill every chicke and young pullet they can find.

 

[Christinecam]

You said on the hatchalong thread that we're neighbors. Where are you?

My net.. today is pushing my buttons..
I’m in Maryland.

 

[Christinecam]

No, but remmber that they will kill every chicke and young pullet they can find.

I put the tightest hardware clothe on top of chicken wire. Helps the vermin keep out. But free ranging it’s all up to my roo. He’s like my actual child! We always cuddle, except when he’s on guard for the ladies. He will do his low call and the hens get down low and hide. It’s amazing how quick my roo can see them. Thank goodness I don’t have much to worry about atm as far as predators.

 

[BantyChooks]

I just found my SH hen dead by the lumber pile with her back ripped open. Few feathers, meat not eaten off bird. Not sure what got her, I suspect she stayed out last night---condition of carcass is about right for a 12 hr dead bird.

She was probably one of the 6 birds in my entire flock that were lifers. Kids' pet too.

No, benny, it wasn't a housecat.

 

[Christinecam]

View attachment 1157919

Oh no!!!

 

[Akrnaf2]

View attachment 1157927 I just found my SH hen dead by the lumber pile with her back ripped open. Few feathers, meat not eaten off bird. Not sure what got her, I suspect she stayed out last night---condition of carcass is about right for a 12 hr dead bird.

She was probably one of the 6 birds in my entire flock that were lifers. Kids' pet too.

No, benny, it wasn't a housecat.

Sorry to hear that
Could it be a raccoon?

 

[Christinecam]

View attachment 1157927 I just found my SH hen dead by the lumber pile with her back ripped open. Few feathers, meat not eaten off bird. Not sure what got her, I suspect she stayed out last night---condition of carcass is about right for a 12 hr dead bird.

She was probably one of the 6 birds in my entire flock that were lifers. Kids' pet too.

 

[BantyChooks]

Sorry to hear that
Could it be a raccoon?

Could be anything, I'm not skilled at predator ID and we have everything up here.

 

[Akrnaf2]

Could be anything, I'm not skilled at predator ID and we have everything up here.

Could you use the body as a bait to catch the predator?

 

[kajira]

I have such a bad hawk problem that all my babies and bantams are FULLY enclosed. Even a small hole allowed a hawk to crawl in and kill my silkies. So, they are now secure. The teens on the other hand aren't so secure. We had a neighborhood cat come in and sit on a log and watch the hens for hours at a time. Never bothered them. Sadly, he disappeared about 6 months ago.



The folks at the pound are giving me cats that CURRENTLY live in the chicken coop. Again, they will only have access to the larger birds. Is there another reason we shouldn't mix them?



@Wickedchicken6 Hi! In all the cities surrounding me, there are thousands of wild bunnies. None that I've seen in my area though.

I've started feeding wet feed only. There is FAR, FAR less spilled on the ground. We bring in any feed un-eaten a little before dark. The hens do a good job of cleaning up after that. So, I don't think the rats are getting much food from us. But there are tons of places for them to breed. That's what I have my brother up here taking care of. He's been bringing my dog over every time he picks up a pallet or wire bale. Any rats that come out, the dog has been killing. I'm hoping the cats will actually go up in the tree where we see most of the rats.

My turkey's help themselves to the cat food in the morning once they get let out of their pens, if the cats didn't finish it the night before. LOL we don't have much waste. ^.^

Whatever the cats don't eat, the birds sure as heck do.