Illinois...

[Justso]

I don’t have anything yet. We just bought our house, and will have to decide where to put things and prepare for them...that should keep me busy for the winter. I’d like bees and ducks and goats!

Hi!

 

[Justso]

Brutal hawk attack today took the life of my Cream Crested Legbar. Although not a flock fav, she was nicknamed Dolores after my mom. (There's a family story involved there, but since my mom is no longer living, I guess I was keeping the hen around for the memories.) She was a beautiful hen, with rich color, & always striking a pose. She laid pretty sky blue eggs & with my EE, They earned blue ribbons at the county fair for the past 4 years. My EE is 6 yrs old, so I highly doubt we'll be able to gather a whole dozen from her alone.

RIP my sweet little hen.
View attachment 1589198 View attachment 1589199 View attachment 1589200 View attachment 1589196 View attachment 1589244 View attachment 1589273 View attachment 1589238

Yikes! Sorry to hear!
Knock wood that's practically the only predator or problem that hasn't taken one of mine this year. I'm only letting them out on rare occasions.

 

[Justso]

My neighbors are seeking a barn cat for their place, if anyone knows of a good resource. They would specifically like an orange male. I know color shouldn't matter but I love orange cats too.
I say Barn cat because this will be an outdoor cat and they don't want to adopt from a shelter.

 

[cavemanrich]

My neighbors are seeking a barn cat for their place, if anyone knows of a good resource. They would specifically like an orange male. I know color shouldn't matter but I love orange cats too.
I say Barn cat because this will be an outdoor cat and they don't want to adopt from a shelter.

I have ALL feral cats that went thru the TNR program. (trap,neuter,return). I take care of them now. Do not wish to part with any.
Here is an Idea/solution/suggestion. Contact "Paws" and ask about getting one of those. They would be outdoor cats at this point also. On their site there is also info about peeps that are COLONY CAREGIVERS. If you would get in contact with someone like that, you could find a GOOD OUTDOOR CAT.
Advantage with getting a cat from such an organization is,,,,,,,,,, it is already neutered or spayed. That part gets pricey at your local vet.
An outdoor cat,,,,,, you DEFINITELY WANT FIXED. Otherwise chances of it splitting/running away are much more possible.
http://www.pawschicago.org/our-work/spayneuter/feral-cats-tnr/

 

[chickendreams24]

Brutal hawk attack today took the life of my Cream Crested Legbar. Although not a flock fav, she was nicknamed Dolores after my mom. (There's a family story involved there, but since my mom is no longer living, I guess I was keeping the hen around for the memories.) She was a beautiful hen, with rich color, & always striking a pose. She laid pretty sky blue eggs & with my EE, They earned blue ribbons at the county fair for the past 4 years. My EE is 6 yrs old, so I highly doubt we'll be able to gather a whole dozen from her alone.

RIP my sweet little hen.
View attachment 1589198 View attachment 1589199 View attachment 1589200 View attachment 1589196 View attachment 1589244 View attachment 1589273 View attachment 1589238

Oh no I'm so very very sorry.
She was such a beautiful beautiful bird.

I have ALL feral cats that went thru the TNR program. (trap,neuter,return). I take care of them now. Do not wish to part with any.
Here is an Idea/solution/suggestion. Contact "Paws" and ask about getting one of those. They would be outdoor cats at this point also. On their site there is also info about peeps that are COLONY CAREGIVERS. If you would get in contact with someone like that, you could find a GOOD OUTDOOR CAT.
Advantage with getting a cat from such an organization is,,,,,,,,,, it is already neutered or spayed. That part gets pricey at your local vet.
An outdoor cat,,,,,, you DEFINITELY WANT FIXED. Otherwise chances of it splitting/running away are much more possible.
http://www.pawschicago.org/our-work/spayneuter/feral-cats-tnr/

Yes feral cats are great! Also I wouldn't rule out a shelter just yet. Many shelters our local Rock Co. one included have programs available that you can adopt ferals or semiferals as barn cats. Without these programs these cats are nearly always euthanized. Shelters don't have the time, or the patience to gentle the cats and gain their trust. Common belief is ferals are vicious aggressive wild animals but they're not and given time patience and love they can be tamed and make wonderful barn and even house cats. All of our cats were ferals even though all but one were little babies I raised. If your friend is interested in other colors I might know of a couple people looking to re-home ferals or strays that have shown up but it would be a drive. I have a little Tabby and white feral that has been showing up here the last several nights. If I can tame it I would gladly rehome it to someone responsible but it would be without any vet care unless it's already fixed. I think it may have actually been dumped because it cries for food a lot but won't let us get near.

Whatever your friend chooses to do please make sure the cat is contained for several days to several weeks before being released or it will just try to return to where it's original territory was. This journey often leads to the cat disappearing or dieing. Absolutely be sure the cat is fixed as it is more likely to stay put that way.

 

[Justso]

Oh no I'm so very very sorry.
She was such a beautiful beautiful bird.



Yes feral cats are great! Also I wouldn't rule out a shelter just yet. Many shelters our local Rock Co. one included have programs available that you can adopt ferals or semiferals as barn cats. Without these programs these cats are nearly always euthanized. Shelters don't have the time, or the patience to gentle the cats and gain their trust. Common belief is ferals are vicious aggressive wild animals but they're not and given time patience and love they can be tamed and make wonderful barn and even house cats. All of our cats were ferals even though all but one were little babies I raised. If your friend is interested in other colors I might know of a couple people looking to re-home ferals or strays that have shown up but it would be a drive. I have a little Tabby and white feral that has been showing up here the last several nights. If I can tame it I would gladly rehome it to someone responsible but it would be without any vet care unless it's already fixed. I think it may have actually been dumped because it cries for food a lot but won't let us get near.

Whatever your friend chooses to do please make sure the cat is contained for several days to several weeks before being released or it will just try to return to where it's original territory was. This journey often leads to the cat disappearing or dieing. Absolutely be sure the cat is fixed as it is more likely to stay put that way.

Yes thanks! Their old cat lived a long time, they're set up for acclimating a new feral or outdoor cat

 

[Justso]

I have ALL feral cats that went thru the TNR program. (trap,neuter,return). I take care of them now. Do not wish to part with any.
Here is an Idea/solution/suggestion. Contact "Paws" and ask about getting one of those. They would be outdoor cats at this point also. On their site there is also info about peeps that are COLONY CAREGIVERS. If you would get in contact with someone like that, you could find a GOOD OUTDOOR CAT.
Advantage with getting a cat from such an organization is,,,,,,,,,, it is already neutered or spayed. That part gets pricey at your local vet.
An outdoor cat,,,,,, you DEFINITELY WANT FIXED. Otherwise chances of it splitting/running away are much more possible.
http://www.pawschicago.org/our-work/spayneuter/feral-cats-tnr/

Thanks for this link! IlI' pass on.

 

[Faraday40]

Look who likes the snow....

 

[Molpet]

Look who likes the snow....

View attachment 1592508

my dog loves the snow too.. pic not from this year.. so far this year we have just had a trace

 

[Faraday40]

my dog loves the snow too.. pic not from this year.. so far this year we have just had a trace
View attachment 1592856

He looks right at home in the snow. Is he an outside dog or does he enjoy the best of both worlds? I bet he does a decent job at keeping the hawks away.

I miss our Richter. He loved being outside & I could trust him around the flock. Puppy Kepler is too energetic & not trained. It will be a while before he'll be allowed out back. (He doesn't listen & has his own agenda when running around outside.)