HALLOWEEN Hatch-a-Long 2016 w/ Hosts, Mike, Sally & BantyChooks

[Jessimom]

Okay, you all twisted my arm.

I think I may have arranged a home for some chicks should I hatch them. I'll know in a few days. So I might finally cash in my prize eggs from @TJChickens and try to hatch some lovely bantams.

I've got some bantam EE eggs in the bator from TJ as well.

Here is one of the bantam EE roos I hatched from TJ!! He's so pretty but he is rather loud. The brown EEs off to the right are younger, Non bantam EE's - from my own flock.

 

[Saris]

YAYYYY!!!

I've got some bantam EE eggs in the bator from TJ as well.

Here is one of the bantam EE roos I hatched from TJ!! He's so pretty but he is rather loud. The brown EEs off to the right are younger, Non bantam EE's - from my own flock.

I'm really looking forward to D'uccles and Sebrights, they aren't very common over here.

 

[Jessimom]

I'm really looking forward to D'uccles and Sebrights, they aren't very common over here.

Here's a couple of my Mille Fleur D'uccle and my Silver laced Sebright also from TJ.

 

[TJChickens]

Okay, you all twisted my arm.

I think I may have arranged a home for some chicks should I hatch them. I'll know in a few days. So I might finally cash in my prize eggs from @TJChickens and try to hatch some lovely bantams.

The porcelain d'Uccle re-population that you so kindly donated to, has been a success. We were able to get eggs back from our own bloodlines and the resulting chicks are now starting to lay. I'd be happy to send you eggs for the HAL. I could even slip in a few of the coveted porcelains....

 

[Saris]

The porcelain d'Uccle re-population that you so kindly donated to, has been a success. We were able to get eggs back from our own bloodlines and the resulting chicks are now starting to lay. I'd be happy to send you eggs for the HAL. I could even slip in a few of the coveted porcelains....

Be still my beating heart! I would love that!!!! Hooray! for re-populations!!!

Here's a couple of my Mille Fleur D'uccle and my Silver laced Sebright also from TJ.

Oh they are beautiful!!

 

[Pensmaster]

Have you ever had the cougar decide to turn your birds into a midnight snack?

We have one that evidently comes through our yard EVERY spring and fall. Sometimes with her cubs. We bought this place last year and didn't know until I let my daughter play near the tall grass in the field. My neighbor came screaming out "I SAW A COUGAR IN  YOUR YARD YESTERDAY!!! GET HER AWAY FROM THE GRASS" We've found tracks and scat in our yard and heard her scream a few times REALLY close to the house, but we've never seen her ourselves.

I'm trying to build up a flock, but it's my first time in this location. I don't know how determined hungry cougars get with chickens, or what I can do to deter  them.  I don't plan on letting my chickens free range. WAY to many hawks, eagles, raccoon, bear, neighbor dogs, and of course cougars. 


 I want to have a very secure run and coop for them at night and when we are out of town, along with enclosed garden space we can let them into so they can semi free range. We already had to fence the veggi garden for very aggressive deer, so covering the top with netting shouldn't be hard. 

Cougar usually go for the multiple deer in the area. First night we moved in the cougar screamed going through our yard. We had dogs and the former owners didn't. After that she must have found another way through to our pond. Once when we sighted her a neighbor was walking her dog on the road. The dog would not go any farther but the lady insisted. I yelled down to her that we just seen a cougar there and to listen to her dog. The lady never walked the dog again. Raccoons skunks and hawks are my main concern. There is a bear further up about 20 miles that destroyed a gals chicken coop and chickens.

 

[TJChickens]

Here is one of the bantam EE roos I hatched from TJ!! He's so pretty but he is rather loud. The brown EEs off to the right are younger, Non bantam EE's - from my own flock.

Here's a couple of my Mille Fleur D'uccle and my Silver laced Sebright also from TJ.

Fun to see the kids! That little EE roo looks exactly like his dad.

Glad everybody here has chicks from us!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: Just have eggs in the bator or under a hen during October, enter any of the contests you want! Post here on the thread with your set updates chat etc!! Have fun!

Okay, you all twisted my arm.

I think I may have arranged a home for some chicks should I hatch them. I'll know in a few days. So I might finally cash in my prize eggs from @TJChickens and try to hatch some lovely bantams.

YAY!!!!!!!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: CUTE!!!!!

Quote: so pretty!!!!!!

Quote: oh TJ I am so happy for the kiddo!!!! this is GREAT NEWS!!!!!

 

[TJChickens]

Have you ever had the cougar decide to turn your birds into a midnight snack?

We have one that evidently comes through our yard EVERY spring and fall. Sometimes with her cubs. We bought this place last year and didn't know until I let my daughter play near the tall grass in the field. My neighbor came screaming out "I SAW A COUGAR IN YOUR YARD YESTERDAY!!! GET HER AWAY FROM THE GRASS" We've found tracks and scat in our yard and heard her scream a few times REALLY close to the house, but we've never seen her ourselves.

I'm trying to build up a flock, but it's my first time in this location. I don't know how determined hungry cougars get with chickens, or what I can do to deter them. I don't plan on letting my chickens free range. WAY to many hawks, eagles, raccoon, bear, neighbor dogs, and of course cougars.

I want to have a very secure run and coop for them at night and when we are out of town, along with enclosed garden space we can let them into so they can semi free range. We already had to fence the veggi garden for very aggressive deer, so covering the top with netting shouldn't be hard.

A cougar is what happened to our entire porcelain d'Uccle flock..... And a few other birds. She was coming in every night and I was chasing her away. We had a trap set and a sniper on the roof, but she was too smart and stayed away for that time. I brought in an Anatolian/pyr LGD the day after the trap and sniper left. Two nights later the cat came back and that dog chased her over the hill. Haven't seen her since. Could be that she comes back to check occasionally but is afraid of the dog now. I have Dobermans, but they sleep inside at night. The Anatolian is nocturnal and I have not had any predator problems since getting her. Those dogs are not for everyone though. The dobes are great during the day and even chase hawks. All my dogs are dead serious about protecting our animals.
I think the main thing is to cover your pens with good quality chain link. I still lost birds due to injuries from thrashing around being scared, even though the pen was too tough for the lion to get into. With our weather, I don't use fully enclosed coops. Most of the coops are three sided with an attached pen. It would be too hot here to lock them in a coop at night, but that may be the best option for you. Any windows or vents should be covered with both a small wire and then chainlink. My only other pens that were strong enough to be safe, were made of the very heavy gauge welded wire that we use for macaws.
It sounds like you are planning well and will have a great home for your flock !