Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Whoops! Wrong thread!

Why can't we enjoy this as well? We are all fascinated with the killer wildlife in your country. This made me laugh. Are we not good enough for your humor?

 

[rural mouse]

OMG noooooo!

I have 14 now! This time last year I didn't even think about chickens, other than telling my niece 'no I am not bringing you hens to my barn!'.

Then I decided in April a couple silkie pets would be fun.... Next thing I knew I had 10, and then my one silkie pullet went broody, so I shoved 4 eggs under her and she successfully hatched them, and now I have 14!!!

It all started so innocently

Hatch a few more and if Pangoo is still a brat this time next year, then change his name to dinner

 

[Ponypoor]

Having lost birds to foxes and dog, I have to say I prefer fox: at least they eat what they kill. Dog just kills wether in play or not, they don't eat. This also gives new appreciation for a fox wrap.

Yes the fox is feeding their kits, a dog is just killing indiscriminately. My neighbours know to keep their dogs contained, if I catch them chasing my horses they go to the SPCA.

120$ to get them back....

If I ever caught them chasing my chickens I would be furious, haven't had this so far thankfully. After the fox incident I keep a tight rein on the chickies....

 

[BY Bob]

So sad sorry about the whole situation.

Mother nature is brutal at times. One day I was in the hay loft and witnessed something and dramatic as anything on the Serengeti. I watched a mama Hare once take on a Raven that was trying to fly off with her baby, NEVER saw anything so brutal or amazing before, that Hare was leaping into the air trying to get the Raven to drop her baby who was just struggling in the clutches of the bird.

Then the baby dropped to the ground, mama ran over to the baby and tried to cover over the baby. Then a second Raven arrived, and the mama was distracted and raced at the second one - she was in a frenzy!

The first Raven grabbed baby again, mama raced back to that one, baby fell again... The Ravens were able to chase off mama, grab baby who was either stunned or dead by then, and they flew off. Mama hung around for a bit but eventually moved on.

It was that day I learnt a hard lesson - everyone and everything is just trying to live the best they know how - what I think as how it should be, is not what that fox who killed Roxanne and Stanley had ideas of for instance. I will now ensure I try my darndest to protect my gang from 'Nature'.

But who is smarter me or mother nature?

That would have stopped me in my tracks. How fascinating.

Mother Nature is smarter in my experience. I hate to say it but it has proven so here. The lessons have been hard learned.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Sad update. Egg 2 that was pipped did not make it. I'm also now very worried about egg 3. I went ahead and candled it this morning and it looks different then when it went in for lockdown. No movement and half the egg is now clear.

 

[Ponypoor]

Give it time. i "walloped" a roo with the corner of my shawl to the back of his head. he quit picking at me after that. i had bigger "wings" and more buffet. it was more waterfowl type behavior, but he got the message.

My mum sprayed him with the hose and he leaves her alone now.

I was just worried about him tripping me and falling and hurting myself (not to mention tiny raptors pecking out my eyes ).

I also don't want him or the others hurt....

 

[Ponypoor]

I am trying to find out about the chicks hatching but can't remember who is posting this....

 

[BY Bob]

Having lost birds to foxes and dog, I have to say I prefer fox: at least they eat what they kill. Dog just kills wether in play or not, they don't eat. This also gives new appreciation for a fox wrap.

I say this all the time. Dogs are the worst. Way worse than cats who have the bad reputation as killers for fun. I have just not seen that in cats like you see it in dogs.

 

[Ponypoor]

Sad update. Egg 2 that was pipped did not make it. I'm also now very worried about egg 3. I went ahead and candled it this morning and it looks different then when it went in for lockdown. No movement and half the egg is now clear.

How sad and disappointing.

I was just trying to find an update but could remember your ID.

Will follow now.

 

[Ponypoor]

I say this all the time. Dogs are the worst. Way worse than cats who have the bad reputation as killers for fun. I have just not seen that in cats like you see it in dogs.

Yes dogs kill and don't know what to do with it. Cats at least eat their kill!