Illinois...

[BReeder!]

The problem with having a fox is that you can come across them both night & day...... and he/she keeps coming back. The coyotes visit often & try to dig around the coop. I see their attempts & footprints but rarely catch them in the act since they prefer to visit us at night. The 1st time we saw the fox it was 8:00pm (chicken bedtime routines). The next day it came at 6:00pm and then next day 4:30pm and 7am. It varied its schedule so many times so it was difficult to predict. Humans only made it run about 50' - just out of reach. It didn't even leave the yard. Only our dog could scare it off the property. Then, for several months, the chickens could only go outside when the dog was out with them. (The fox would return whenever the dog was inside!) That's why I'm really hoping our new dog will be good with the chickens. I know the fox will come back because a few neighbors have already lost chickens to it.

You're neighbors have chickens too? I didn't think it was allowed. Are they skirting tge law like me and my turkeys?

 

[Faraday40]

You're neighbors have chickens too? I didn't think it was allowed. Are they skirting tge law like me and my turkeys?

Our town is chicken friendly- just not rooster friendly. We had chickens a few years before the newer laws were passed. Back then you had to have the min required property setbacks (which only a few properties in town could meet) AND be involved with 4H (moreimportantly be enrolled in poultry). The village ordinances have since changed so anyone can own backyard hens - even with a tiny backyard - but the rooster became a gray area. We don't know if he's grandfathered in..... if the 4-H loophole still stands .... or if anyone even cares. I do a lot of work for the schools, park district, & community events, so it's no secret we've had chickens for the past 7 years. In fact whenever a lost chicken is found or someone wants to rehome a rooster or there's a chicken-related emergency, I get the calls. (Part of the fun of being the town "chicken lady.") It's more important to keep the neighbors happy, since they're the ones whom your poultry may affect. Let them know your plans and share your eggs, and they'll be supportive. If they have any issue, address it right away.

 

[Justso]

We've had a daily early AM visit of our fox.
All chickens will be perched on their highest point out in the run. I'll have to get a pic sometime.

 

[homeschoolin momma]

@Faraday40
Phoe is at 100% good devoted mother.

The cinnamon chick is bigger and more active. I think they will bothe be smooth feathered. Still hoping both are girls as the last thing I need is another roo.

 

[BReeder!]

Where is everybody? This thread really slowed down lately. You know, some of us are lazy and not wanting to get ready for work and need something on BYC to browse through to waste time. You are not helping if you are not posting.

 

[homeschoolin momma]

Where is everybody? This thread really slowed down lately. You know, some of us are lazy and not wanting to get ready for work and need something on BYC to browse through to waste time. You are not helping if you are not posting.

In self defense, byc hasnt been giving me notifications of any posting going on. I have it checked to tell me. I missed two pages of posts over the past week or two.

And I did post a cute and adorable picture yesterday......

 

[Faraday40]

@Faraday40
Phoe is at 100% good devoted mother.
View attachment 1892745
The cinnamon chick is bigger and more active. I think they will bothe be smooth feathered. Still hoping both are girls as the last thing I need is another roo.

So glad her mothering instincts finally kicked in. Her mother (Xansie) is good but can/will run off in excitement if she sees something shiny or yummy. She'll eventually realize that she forgot her chicks and run back to get them. LOL

Around Sun-Monday you should be able to predict gender. Look closely at combs for signs of pink & tiny wattles. It's a little tricky with the white ones because you can get a false pink flushing. It seems to happen overnight at around 3 weeks. By the time they're 4 weeks, you should know.

 

[BReeder!]

In self defense, byc hasnt been giving me notifications of any posting going on. I have it checked to tell me. I missed two pages of posts over the past week or two.

And I did post a cute and adorable picture yesterday......

The chicks were adorable, but Phoe looked ready to attack me right through my screen.

 

[Faraday40]

Where is everybody? This thread really slowed down lately. You know, some of us are lazy and not wanting to get ready for work and need something on BYC to browse through to waste time. You are not helping if you are not posting.

OK. Here's a story that happened this week.....

The whole family was working outside. This meant the dog needed to be in his crate in the house. (He's too mischievous to let run around off leash & barks nonstop if we tie him up next to us.) He apparently was upset with the situation and broke free.

The scene as I walked upstairs to the kitchen:

I knew right away there'd be more so I grabbed the camera.
Why eat out of the trash can when you can knock it over! (Thankfully, I had just changed the bag that morning, but with the can on its side he could reach the chicken bones at the very bottom.)

We also had 2 doz fresh eggs on the counter that the neighbor had planned to buy. Only 6 could be saved. The rest (that weren't already devoured) were made into a large eggshell omelet for the chickens.

A large bag filled with mini bags of chips and other kid lunch snacks was destroyed. Our dog really liked the jalapeno Cheetoes! He also ate a box of fruit snacks and ripped open a bag of flour. Floured dog prints went through the dining room.

This one still amazes me. HOW did the dog open a can of peaches!? Of course peaches had to be a special "living room treat" so the juice could soak into the carpet.

This was once a full loaf of cinnamon sweet bread. BTW- Do you notice all his fav chew toys in the living room? That's his fav spot to enjoy a good chew. So why couldn't he have just chewed on his own toys?!!!!

Thankfully he was probably only out for about 5 min. or less. I know this because the dog can open doors. He loves to break into the upstairs bathroom & bedrooms. All those doors were still closed.

I was really skeptical that he'd live through this one. (The dog has a death wish, chews on knives, and eats the most inappropriate & dangerous things.) He still has diarrhea but most has passed through in the last 4 days.

 

[Faraday40]

The chicks were adorable, but Phoe looked ready to attack me right through my screen.

Yep! That's the beauty of a devoted broody hen. She's so happy she'll rip your finger right off.