Illinois...

[homeschoolin momma]

I knew eagles were, but hawks? Jeepers. Well, there goes that idea for you. You're in too populated area for that. No promises on my back 5 acres though....

 

[Faraday40]

DS has a cap gun from the $1 store in hopes of scaring hawks away. It doesn't really help but the kids have fun with it. Banging on pots works a little better but so far the dog is the only thing which makes our hawks alert. (Human are only a slight a nuisance for which they may move up one branch or fly 10' to the next tree.) I swear the Coopers hawk only flies up about 8' to 10' - just out of my reach - but close enough where I can see every detailed feather.

The only good news about this BIG hawk is that it's temporally keeping this persistent hawk away.

This pic was taken from our back doorway.

.... and this is how close I got until it flew up to the gutter. (The blood was from all our quail it had killed. It was simply waiting for me to leave so it could go back to mutilating my quail.)

 

[Faraday40]

I knew eagles were, but hawks? Jeepers. Well, there goes that idea for you. You're in too populated area for that. No promises on my back 5 acres though....

I was thinking a couple guard geese may help protect your chickens. You even have the creek out back for them. However, after seeing the big hawk eating a goose wing, perhaps that wouldn't work.

Some people report "bird bangers" work well. However, I don't think my neighbors would appreciate it.

 

[Faraday40]

The big hawk was in the yard 1st thing this morning. I guess it wanted me to let the chickens out. I put the lavs in the tractor today. Boy did that roo crow away. He DID NOT like the giant hawk watching us from the trees.

I didn't see the hawk this afternoon so far, but the flock will staying locked up at least until the trees have leaves. March/April is always pretty rough. The chickens really, really want to free range. I'm hoping to make some more tractors because the ones I have are not built for big predator protection. I wouldn't trust them if a hawk landed on the ground next to the cage. (Which they do all the time here!)

 

[BReeder!]

Great for all you who are prepping for spring/summer.

I admit I never finished prepping for winter. The leaves rotted & smothered the grass. We normally have a guy mulch & dump it all in the garden but he had surgery. As we walk through the muddy yard, the boots are slipping &/or getting stuck in mud where there used to be grass. My what a mess we have!

It seems my time gets used up taking care of all the crisis-es from the kids & dog. I'd love a couple hours to clean out a few small garden beds or plant some future veggies. Perhaps I'll just buy plants this year.

I don't plant seeds until last week of April or first week of May. You still have time.

 

[BReeder!]

I did prep for winter. Placed the leaves into flower beds. Well,,,,,, come spring, and yes, a good portion of those leaves decomposed in those beds. (I don't like the word rotted, but is same as decomposed)
The bright side to all this is,,,,,,,,,,,,,, the decomposed leaves are fertilizer regardless if in grass or garden. Your lawn will benefit from extra food. On a dry day run your lawnmower on mulch position, and and little blades of grass will see sunlight with little effort.
Totally understand how with all the family activities, a 24 hour day runs out of hours. Just do your best.

I piled leaves up in a compost pile. It's hot now! I just turned it the other day and it is definitely cooking. The chicken and quail poop has gone into that same pile as well as the weeds and garden cuttings. It's about 3ft tall and roughly 4-5ft in diameter. One of my compost tumblers is full of black gold too. I'm hoping all this compost helps the garden this year. I was a bit disappointed last year.

 

[Faraday40]

@homeschoolin momma
I'm changing my mind again about the gender of your silkie "Phoenix." I thought the red comb meant boy, but today the serama sister looks pretty red in the face & spent several hours in the nest box. (I almost mistook her for her mama.) So, you may get an egg from Phoenix before a crow. The other serama sister is still more pale than pink, but today is their 4 mo "hatchday." Their 1st eggs will likely come within the next month.

 

[homeschoolin momma]

So, you may get an egg from Phoenix before a crow.

She's acting like she's got to lay an egg badly. She has been squawking ALL day! I put a shoebox in their "daytime play place", but she wont get in or stay in. Jasper has really been going at it to, so I have a feeling they are fertile eggs whenever they come. It's like Animal Planet in my kitchen. Crazy!!!

 

[Molpet]

Dog had a big bloated TICK
it's 47 f why are there TICKS now

 

[Faraday40]

She's acting like she's got to lay an egg badly. She has been squawking ALL day! I put a shoebox in their "daytime play place", but she wont get in or stay in. Jasper has really been going at it to, so I have a feeling they are fertile eggs whenever they come. It's like Animal Planet in my kitchen. Crazy!!!

I thought they had moved out to the garage. What does your DH think about house chickens (especially the little rooster) ? Or are they like Teddy? (He has dual residency of DD's bedroom & the patio "useless chicken" coop.)

BTW- Tomorrow is DS's birthday. I made a him card using some Spitzhauben feathers:


He's pretty easy to please. He wants a free downloadable video game and to eat breakfast for all 3 meals.