I Got Nothing

[Ol Grey Mare]

Are you aiming that at me or at OP?

Dang it, it ate my quote... thank you for pointing that out so I could go back and fix it.. definitely not at you

 

[Appalachickens]

To me "go do the right thing" means build a taller fence and don't clip their wings...

Fair. I suspect that’s not what was meant by it, but apparently it was not explainable.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

To me "go do the right thing" means build a taller fence and don't clip their wings...

Except this particular poster uses it at the end of every single thing they post..
And even if we say it was about clipping wings, how is clipping wings not doing the right thing

 

[WishingStar]

Sounds like you’ve had time to watch them develop awareness of what they can do. I’ve noticed over time mine have become bolder and now range much farther from the coop. sometimes they go so high up on the ridge that I can’t see them, but I can rustling under the mountain laurels. They’ve also staked out hiding spots from the hawks, which I’m happy about.

If I get time to sit down at my computer, I plan to finish "My Coop" page.

One of the newest group of chicks knew the "freeze to hide" a day out of the nest. If they heard an alarm call, they simply dropped to the ground and didn't move until they're given the "all clear" from their mom. I thought I lost one of the four once or twice they hid so well, and not even under their mother!

Mine know the neighbor's yard is easiest for hawks to spot them, so they avoid it. On the opposite side, I have either a fox, bobcat, or feral domestic cat. I've never seen the bugger, but it's only claimed two birds in my two years at this property, thankfully, and that's only if they go to that side early in the morning. It may be different now that I have a dog that runs at night; hopefully she dissuades it from snooping around at all.

 

[Appalachickens]

If I get time to sit down at my computer, I plan to finish "My Coop" page.

One of the newest group of chicks knew the "freeze to hide" a day out of the nest. If they heard an alarm call, they simply dropped to the ground and didn't move until they're given the "all clear" from their mom. I thought I lost one of the four once or twice they hid so well, and not even under their mother!

Mine know the neighbor's yard is easiest for hawks to spot them, so they avoid it. On the opposite side, I have either a fox, bobcat, or feral domestic cat. I've never seen the bugger, but it's only claimed two birds in my two years at this property, thankfully, and that's only if they go to that side early in the morning. It may be different now that I have a dog that runs at night; hopefully she dissuades it from snooping around at all.

We are loaded down with predators here- hawks, owls who are out later than they ought to be, foxes, bobcats, coyotes, free-roaming dogs. But the land is mostly covered in trees and dense underbrush, so they have learned to dive for cover. I have a flock that gets locked up in a bomb-proof coop/run at night and another that live in the woods and are unsecured at night. I have come to believe that there is no one right way to do this, and that there are always new things to learn about what works best for your particular situation.

 

[WishingStar]

Mine know the neighbor's yard is easiest for hawks to spot them, so they avoid it.

To make me eat my words this morning, a broody is walking her babies on the other side of the fence. At least she's in their wooded area, but still. HELENA.

I'm locking them up when they get back over.

I have come to believe that there is no one right way to do this, and that there are always new things to learn about what works best for your particular situation.

100% agree. For some, the fortified coop is best. Reasoning for my "open concept" is that my birds can learn to fend for themselves a bit and, in the event of a powerful hurricane, can take care of themselves for a while if I have to leave.

 

[Appalachickens]

To make me eat my words this morning, a broody is walking her babies on the other side of the fence. At just she's in their wooded area, but still. HELENA.

I'm loving them up when they get back over.

100% agree. For some, the fortified coop is best. Reasoning for my "open concept" is that my birds can learn to fend for themselves a bit and, in the event of a powerful hurricane, can take care of themselves for a while if I have to leave.

That's a solid reason to have an open situation and exactly why I'm trying to develop a flick that can live in the woods.