Houdans

[Chambertin]

Here's a couple pictures of my Hodans growing up.
Its a very full house now and its nice to see everyone getting along even at meal time.


Saying hello, the lady says it much faster.


Potato chips, bird food, any leftovers go in the bowl.


Amazingly it all works out and its good entertainment watching them all fight for the prize bits.
Also I'm starting to believe my dog thinks he's a big chicken.

 

[Kassaundra]

My beautiful young houdans got killed this past week

Gary is working on making me a totally covered outdoor brooder attatched to the chicken coop. We had no problems w/ preditors until the young chicks I thought if they ran w/ the big ones it would protect them, but we have lost tooooooo many this past 2 weeks to hawk and neighborhood cats, and mostly my favorites. I am getting more houdan eggs though, even if I have to drive to Arkansas to get them.

 

[aoxa]

My beautiful young houdans got killed this past week    Gary is working on making me a totally covered outdoor brooder attatched to the chicken coop.  We had no problems w/ preditors until the young chicks I thought if they ran w/ the big ones it would protect them, but we have lost tooooooo many this past 2 weeks to hawk and neighborhood cats, and mostly my favorites.  I am getting more houdan eggs though, even if I have to drive to Arkansas to get them.

What a shame

I have never had issues with cats, but birds of prey scare the crap out of me. I am so sorry for your loss!

 

[Kassaundra]

What a shame

I have never had issues with cats, but birds of prey scare the crap out of me. I am so sorry for your loss!

They do not bother my adult birds, so I didn't even realize I had the problem, just assumed they wouldn't brave a yard w/ 3 dogs. I only live a couple of hours from the UofA campus that has the houdans, and I know an Okie bycer even closer who has some, just don't know if he has extra eggs now (or when I will be ready for them) anyway definately getting more for sure and this time I will be more prepared for the chicks (even though I thought I was before)

 

[aoxa]

 They do not bother my adult birds, so I didn't even realize I had the problem, just assumed they wouldn't brave a yard w/ 3 dogs.  I only live a couple of hours from the UofA campus that has the houdans, and I know an Okie bycer even closer who has some, just don't know if he has extra eggs now (or when I will be ready for them)  anyway definately getting more for sure and this time I will be more prepared for the chicks (even though I thought I was before)

I have so many cats around, even with my chicks. Are you sure a cat is the culprit? I know you caught one, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything.

My whole flock chases my own cats around. I have a BIG cat too. He is 16 pounds. There are 3 neighbour cats that like to look at them, but never attempt anything.

I hope you get more! We need more dedicated Houdan breeders!

 

[Kassaundra]

Gary caught a different one this morning stalking Ari, was just about to pounce when Gary scared it away, so yes pretty sure. Sorry forgot which thread I was on Ari is my young araucuana male.

 

[aoxa]

Gary caught a different one this morning stalking Ari, was just about to pounce when Gary scared it away, so yes pretty sure.  Sorry forgot which thread I was on Ari is my young araucuana male.

What do you do with the cats when you catch them? SPCA?

 

[Kassaundra]

What do you do with the cats when you catch them? SPCA?

We do not have an spca in our area, just the plain old pound. I know they euthanize, but they do it humanly.

 

[aoxa]

 We do not have an spca in our area, just the plain old pound.  I know they euthanize, but they do it humanly.

Were they stray cats?

Hope you get this all figured out! I have never had predator issues *knock on wood*. I hope I don't anytime soon. I just saw a stray dog a few weeks ago in our yard. My Gigi chased him away. I was so proud of my little boy. It was a beagle too! I think it might have had the scent of something, because it didn't even look at my chickens, but everyone was on high alert!

 

[Kassaundra]

Yes, they are stray. A beagle in the yard w/ your chickens, !!!!!!!! you are lucky, bet that made your heart stop for a minute! We have not had any preditor issues until now w/ the chicks. Nothing is bothering the adult chickens at all. This next batch will have less freedom for sure (but still plenty of space) but they will be much more protected. I had wanted to raise the chicks w/ the adult flock, but since that isn't working they will be raised next to and in sight of the adult flock and live in the same coop, just in a fenced off area, until big enough to not be hawk or cat food.