Illinois...

[BReeder!]

Glad these aren't around here, but bobcats are by me.
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/let-s-go-see-...ures-lynx-after-chicken-coop-attack-1.5321558

There's bobcats in New Lenox? I didn't realize that. I thought the only large predator would be coyote.

EDIT: Apparently there's an estimated 5,000 bobcats in the state of IL. I had no idea.

 

[Molpet]

There's bobcats in New Lenox? I didn't realize that. I thought the only large predator would be coyote.

I live next to higginbotham woods. Across the road my cousin has a farm. Relative had a game camera for deer hunting up, and had one on it a couple years ago. Same year, before I heard about the photo, I had tracks in the snow. Definitely way larger than a house cat.
When I was a kid they were common. We didn't think much of them. Lots of wildlife that is uncommon now. But now deer, coyotes and chipmunks are common. Rarely seen them before the 1970's

My mom heard a large cat calling and horses upset one night, 1960's I think. Mare had a new foal so mom went out with a hoe to scare it off .. she didn't see anything. Next day reports of mountain lion... following hickory creek. For a week reports of it through Joliet along desplain river

 

[SnootyHen]

I remember as a kid hearing about a mountain lion now and again. No one I know ever actually saw it, they just all "knew somebody who knew somebody who saw it" but I always thought it was an urban legend.

 

[SnootyHen]

Brought the new pups home last night and they are a ball of energy (like a squirrel on crack but two of them!!!) Sasha is loving them. The less dominant one (Luna) has taken to following Sasha around and was very sweet this morning with the chickens just watching Sasha to see what she should do. The more dominant one (Kiara) was all about barking and chasing chickens so she's going to have to learn some manners before she's ever allowed near them.

Kiara has the ears that are up and Luna's are still floppy.

Luna following Sasha around the yard this morning:

Luna checking on the chickens (see how the chickens don't seem to mind her there)

Kiara looking at chickens and they are not getting close! She came out barking and they were flying all over so I think they're not her biggest fan. LOL!!!

Sasha is double checking to make sure the pups aren't bothering her birdies.

This was yesterday. Sasha was so happy they finally came out even in the gross mucky mud. (I may have dropped a few treats to help encourage them)

 

[Molpet]

I remember as a kid hearing about a mountain lion now and again. No one I know ever actually saw it, they just all "knew somebody who knew somebody who saw it" but I always thought it was an urban legend.

We raised St Bernards at the time. We had rough coat, what you typically see. There's also smooth coat, which is like it sounds. Anyhow the night my mom went out with the hoe, my uncle called later and said one of our dogs was out by grandma's house. He said it must be a new one because it was a smooth coat with a small head and longer tail. We were not missing any dogs, nor had any that fit that description.. but in the dark it could have been a cougar... Also a day later, about 2 miles away, a farmer said he went in the hayloft and there was one in there. ...
The official report was probably a young male traveling the waterways and it would move on.... People were running around trying to shoot it and Joliet was worried people would accidentally shoot each other.

 

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

With a heavy dose of permethrin should I throw out the eggs ? Or just wash thoroughly?
@Molpet I am going to look into sulfur. I like the idea better than chemicals. One flock has a dust bath area where I typically spread poultry dust (permethrin)

 

[Molpet]

With a heavy dose of permethrin should I throw out the eggs ? Or just wash thoroughly?
@Molpet I am going to look into sulfur. I like the idea better than chemicals. One flock has a dust bath area where I typically spread poultry dust (permethrin)

They say no withdrawal for eggs, but I read this awhile back
https://www.cacklehatchery.com/is-permethrin-a-safe-treatment-for-poultry-lice-and-mites/

 

[Molpet]

am going to look into sulfur

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01JJCPP0Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_89H1ZSZBG0Z6Q2DR3FBV

I have used most of this

 

[Justso]

Tell me about dusting. Do I need to do this? And is now the time?

I do it on an as-needed basis. I also rotate methods- dusts, sprays, etc.
I also make sure I do a full house clean and treat the hen house as well at the same time and haul away the bedding. I'd say if your chickens are okay, wait for a little bit nicer weather.

 

[Justso]

They say no withdrawal for eggs, but I read this awhile back
https://www.cacklehatchery.com/is-permethrin-a-safe-treatment-for-poultry-lice-and-mites/

Thanks very much for this!
It's good to remember that this treatment doesn't work well for head lice anymore, they've become immune to the pesticide. That's one reason I only treat when I know I have an infestation.