Illinois...

[Faraday40]

I know they are more nutrient dense than chicken eggs. Although we do eat many of them (seasonally of course), I still prefer chicken eggs. The kids really like the "cute" factor.

I also read that quail eggs do not carry salmonella, so safer to eat raw. Haven't tried that, & it could be a myth.

 

[FunnyfarmMidwest]

We had a hawk sitting in the trees right next to my run this morning. I was trying to get my camera but one of my dogs set out to chase it off before I could.

I live up near Wisconsin in illinois. I've seen loads of hawks out lately. Had an attack on my little call drake a month or so ago. I was able to chase the hawk off and he managed to get away. He had puncture wounds on his chest and his eye was severely damaged. I have to watch them at all times now because every day 4 or more hawks try to get a meal. They arent afraid either, had one land about 7 feet away from the ducks when I was standing right beside them!

 

[SnootyHen]

I'm afraid my poor girls are never going to get to free range with all these hawks out. I let them come out of the gate in just a small area right by the run to eat grass while my dogs and I supervise but it's only for 5-10 minutes and they've killed off most of the grass right there now.

 

[cavemanrich]

I think the hawk attacks on chickens is seasonal to a degree. The hawks are only looking for dinner. At this time of year, there is less available meals. The regular prey is possibly underground, (snakes) grown and not infant, (birds) , and rodents may not be busy during daylight hours. There is also a migration of many hawks at this time, and they need food to fly.
I'm not sure about which (species/breed) hawks migrate, and which stay. I do see them during winter, but fewer in numbers.

 

[Molpet]

I think the hawk attacks on chickens is seasonal to a degree. The hawks are only looking for dinner. At this time of year, there is less available meals. The regular prey is possibly underground, (snakes) grown and not infant, (birds) , and rodents may not be busy during daylight hours. There is also a migration of many hawks at this time, and they need food to fly.
I'm not sure about which (species/breed) hawks migrate, and which stay. I do see them during winter, but fewer in numbers.

They harvested the beans across my road, last week. .I haven't had any sightings since. Hopefully the hawks are getting the rodents over there

Hawk Migration dates https://www.facebook.com/groups/willcountywildlife/permalink/1503431723198284/

 

[Faraday40]

My backyard looks like someone had a big pillow fight.

Poor Chizzy is having a hard molt.

More porcupine than hen rigt now.

That last tail feather is still hanging on!

 

[SnootyHen]

I think the hawk attacks on chickens is seasonal to a degree. The hawks are only looking for dinner. At this time of year, there is less available meals. The regular prey is possibly underground, (snakes) grown and not infant, (birds) , and rodents may not be busy during daylight hours. There is also a migration of many hawks at this time, and they need food to fly.
I'm not sure about which (species/breed) hawks migrate, and which stay. I do see them during winter, but fewer in numbers.

I sure wish they'd eat my mice! Two birds with one stone...so to speak...

 

[SnootyHen]

First ever 5 egg day for me!!!

 

[Faraday40]

DS playing with the birds. He enjoys calling them for treats & getting swarmed. Thankfully he's not afraid of being face to face with a turkey almost his height and a little Sebright (named Trouble) landing on him.

My lav cockerel

It was actually hard to get that photo of him because he's normally in my face.
Not hard at all to get close ups.

My lav hen, Darling, is growing back her feathers.

 

[BReeder!]

This last bit of nice weather and I an slammed with work. I got outside for about an hour to till the garden a bit. I think I an going to plan a deep clean of the coop this week if I find time. It would be nice to get it done before winter sets in.

Those with poop boards is there a litter material better than sand for the winter?

Last winter it eventually became one solid frozen mass that I couldn't clean any more. No litter concerns me and I don't want to use something like newspaper or bags that I need to replace every day.