Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

The chickens are staying locked in today even though it is just above freezing.
There is a very large coyote hanging around. When I first spotted it through the window I thought it was a wolf (we don’t have wild wolves in NJ).
I am also not going out as it is behaving very oddly. I am probably overly anxious but I try to avoid wild mammals that behave oddly because of rabies.

Sorry ladies - I can only watch you on camera until he moves on.

Sorry Sylvie, yes I am talking to you.

 

[TOMTE]

The chickens are staying locked in today even though it is just above freezing.
There is a very large coyote hanging around. When I first spotted it through the window I thought it was a wolf (we don’t have wild wolves in NJ).
I am also not going out as it is behaving very oddly. I am probably overly anxious but I try to avoid wild mammals that behave oddly because of rabies.

Sorry ladies - I can only watch you on camera until he moves on.

Sorry Sylvie, yes I am talking to you.
View attachment 4040146

Good to be cautious! It is just about breeding season for coyotes. Hopefully it's just looking for new territory, a mate, easy food or something and will move on quickly. If you don't already, in warmer months (maybe winter too if you have a heated hose?) you can use motion sensor sprinklers to deter wildlife in a certain area. We have a couple that we put up front spring thru fall to keep deer out of the gardens day and night. It also works to keep nocturnal predators away, along with our motion sensor lights.

 

[rural mouse]

Georgie Girl

I have a feeling Ms Georgie is pretty much wanting to be done with her dumplings.

If I go by 23 Dec 2024 as their hatch date they are now 6 weeks old, she is still letting them snuggle at night but she definitely wants to be in with the main flock at night now. Babies are too small and it’s just too chilly for that, even though it’s about +4C at roost level, in the nest boxes on the ground it’s likely at or below freezing.

I was planning on letting her and the dumplings out with Mr P and the oldsters but she has no interest now in protecting them, she just wanders off and let’s them fend for themselves when I let them roam in the mornings.

Maybe I’ll just lift the mesh screening so they can run under there if need be, but the others can’t.

Darn that Georgie for going broody! She sure as heck better not go broody again!

Mr P surveying his domain.
View attachment 4040139

The littles will hop up with her and snuggle under when she roosts. This will help them be integrated when she says all done.

 

[rural mouse]

The chickens are staying locked in today even though it is just above freezing.
There is a very large coyote hanging around. When I first spotted it through the window I thought it was a wolf (we don’t have wild wolves in NJ).
I am also not going out as it is behaving very oddly. I am probably overly anxious but I try to avoid wild mammals that behave oddly because of rabies.

Sorry ladies - I can only watch you on camera until he moves on.

Sorry Sylvie, yes I am talking to you.
View attachment 4040146

Oddly behaving wildlife should be reported so they can be observed and removed if rabies is the reason. That's one disease wildlife officials don't want spreading either.

 

[featherhead007]

This broke my heart this morning.
Driving to town, I noticed a crow standing over another dead crow by the side of the road. Looking as if it was whaling and crying

 

[TOMTE]

This broke my heart this morning.
Driving to town, I noticed a crow standing over another dead crow by the side of the road. Looking as if it was whaling and crying

They mourn their dead. It's heartbreaking Crow families are so close-knit and they typically mate for life!

I'm Mr. Trivia over here today

 

[RoyalChick]

Oddly behaving wildlife should be reported so they can be observed and removed if rabies is the reason. That's one disease wildlife officials don't want spreading either.

Oh that’s a good point. I will see who I can call. They may already know because I am sure it came from the swamp and they have NJ Fish & Wildlife people stationed there. I’ll call over there first.
Thanks for the nudge - I didn’t think about that.

 

[TOMTE]

Tax for lots of random stuff:

Gytha held still for a second

Nobody else did

 

[TOMTE]

Oddly behaving wildlife should be reported so they can be observed and removed if rabies is the reason. That's one disease wildlife officials don't want spreading either.

and a point I usually forget to bring up myself!

 

[Marie2020]

The chickens are staying locked in today even though it is just above freezing.
There is a very large coyote hanging around. When I first spotted it through the window I thought it was a wolf (we don’t have wild wolves in NJ).
I am also not going out as it is behaving very oddly. I am probably overly anxious but I try to avoid wild mammals that behave oddly because of rabies.

Sorry ladies - I can only watch you on camera until he moves on.

Sorry Sylvie, yes I am talking to you.
View attachment 4040146

You're wise to stay inside. Is there a wildlife centre you could contact . It might be worth letting them know of you're uneasy about them coming around.
How is it acting ?