FLORIDA!!!!!ALWAYS SUNNY SIDE UP!!!

[swamphiker]

For the folks that live in western Duval, Nassau, and Baker, what are the main predators do yall encounter?

I'm a bit further south in Alachua County. Our major predators are hawks and raccoons, and owls. Possums can also be an issue and rat snakes are an issue for chicks.

My run has lots of trees and shrubs which does a good job of protecting the flock from aerial predators.

 

[dawg53]

I'm a bit further south in Alachua County. Our major predators are hawks and raccoons, and owls. Possums can also be an issue and rat snakes are an issue for chicks.

My run has lots of trees and shrubs which does a good job of protecting the flock from aerial predators.

Yellow rat snakes were my #1 chick killer when I lived in southeast Georgia. I killed them on sight. They even tried going after hens, luckily I was there both times to intervene.

 

[FloridaChook]

We live north of Glen St Mary in Baker county. Hawks are a dime a dozen and loose dogs roaming around are currently the main predators. I've seen a few small non poisonous snakes crawling around the pens. Rats were a big problem a few years ago, but I dealt with them.

When we lived in Jax on the west side, hawks were it.

it's weird because I live near the Nassau/Duval border and I've heard yotes literally across the street howling and heard them further away but they haven't show themselves at all.... it's kinda strange. but I do see hawks everywhere in the sky or on the side of the road dead

 

[Grannys Backyard Chicks]

Hello from Gilchrist county. We are between Trenton and Fanning Springs!

 

[swamphiker]

Yellow rat snakes were my #1 chick killer when I lived in southeast Georgia. I killed them on sight. They even tried going after hens, luckily I was there both times to intervene.
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I built a new predator-proof grow out pen for my chicks which has solved my problem fortunately.

I don't mind the snakes eating the occasional egg since they definitely help keep the rodent population in check.

 

[dawg53]

it's weird because I live near the Nassau/Duval border and I've heard yotes literally across the street howling and heard them further away but they haven't show themselves at all.... it's kinda strange. but I do see hawks everywhere in the sky or on the side of the road dead

We had coyotes in our yard when we first moved here. I saw them early in the morning right at sunrise. I saw them again the next morning, my shotgun scared them off. It's been 5 years now and I havnt seen any since.

 

[getaclue]

Over the past 5 years, twice we've had a yote (not the same one) run through the yard. They were just passing through, and didn't stop, or stay on the property.

 

[BoradorBeans]

Hi Florida friends. Hope this is the right spot to post.

LOCATION: Tampa, FL
WILLING TO DRIVE FOR THE RIGHT ADOPTERS.

We are fostering 4 muscovy ducks for a Tampa rescue. We've raised them since April and they are in need of a great home. They would need some type of shelter and to be provided with food and fresh water daily (they've been raised as pets).

We have two males (we call them Raptor and Rudy) and two females (Scrappy Doo and Mr. Burns... don't ask ).

We are aware of how difficult it is to place muscovies, especially in Florida where most people consider them a nuisance. We are looking for a safe home where they can live out their lives. They could free range, but we wouldn't recommend housing them with non-muscovy ducks, as the boys are sexually mature and can be a bit rough.

If you're interested or know someone who may be, please send us a message here or via Instagram: @DellyTheDuck

Thank you!

PS - I'll get better photos of them.

 

[getaclue]

I need hatching eggs, preferably from an SOP breed.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Hello from Ocala. We have our share of egg eaters. It is a vicious cycle of peaked rodent population and setting bait traps, then the rat snakes smell the rodents and move on in. Then all the rodents are controlled by the bait houses.. but the snakes still smell the rodents and while looking for a rat snack, they find the nesting boxes. Then we rid the farm of snakes large enough to eat eggs. And then the rodent breeding starts again and we start the cycle over.
Over Development is chasing giant coons this way as well. I'm in a battle controlling them right now as well.
Never a dull moment in semi sunny Florida.