I'm totally numb

[Wolfpacker]

Our lovely board of supervisors, being populated with developers and real estate people, thinks it's just great that so many new starter mansions are being built up at the base of our lovely Blue Ridge about 12 mile west of me. What the bunch of MONEY-GRUBBING-EEDJITS didn't realize was that they were chasing all that wildlife our way. We never saw bears or bob cats this far from the mountains. We have herds of deer eating their way through fields and gardens and small packs of coyotes are becoming more and more common. For the last time GROWTH IS NOT ALWAYS A GOOD THING. They're taxing farmers and gardeners out and putting up these crappy mausoleum-looking-pieces-of. . .of. . . of scat that I hope will blow down the first big storm we get. AAAARRRRGGGHHHH!

I'll drink to that. The same thing is happening here in NC in Wake County. It is DISGUSTING. I'm three minutes from the center of Raleigh and we have foxes, owls, hawks, bobcats, coons, possums. Thank goodness no bears YET. But all the woods and farmland in the county have been turned into Disney/WallyWorldMcMansionSuburbia.​

 

[bayouchica]

Hi Mark, I'm so sorry for your losses.

 

[ruth]

Hi Mark - I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I know it must be devastating to go out to see your chicks and find that mess instead. How many did you have? Again, I'm so sorry. You're right about all the development of McMansions that cut down all forests and drive animals/predators into yards. We have the same problem here in Covington, especially since Katrina. More and more people (100,000 to be exact) are moving over from New Orleans. They buy uncut forest land and cut down every single tree - old growth pines, large oaks, everything. The rivers and creeks we have over here are supposed to be protected from development but many homeowners are clearing right down to them and then building steps down to beach, etc. I heard a panther in our woods a few months ago and they have started wandering into areas they would not have come into earlier. For many years they just kept to the river area.

On a lighter note - I looked at your website of photos and LOVED your gardens. They look exactly what mine look like (in my imagination). They are exactly like the ones I've always wanted. I hope you don't mind if I borrow some of your ideas? They are truly gorgeous and must bring you much joy. I'll picture your new chicks running amongst your gardens and flowers.

 

[mom'sfolly]

Boy, I'm sorry you confirmed it was a bear. Those buggers aren't very good at taking no for an answer. You might want to try some sort of really obnoxious motion activated alarm with light and sound, sort boat whistle meets disco. Those guys learn quick where food is. Where I grew up, ever fall we would have nuisanse (sp??) bear problems. Tourists at the campground would feed them all summer and in the fall the bears would come into town to finish fattening up.

 

[birdlover]

Dear Mark,

I'm just now reading your post and it breaks my heart you have lost your entire flock to some sort of huge predator. I'm so very sorry. I remember, when I lost some of my flock to fox, how the anxiety never seems to lessen. You always worry if the chickens are secure enough now or if you will come home to another massacre, etc. I truly hope you are able to build an impenatrable fort for your future girls. My heart goes out to you.

Ellen

 

[lurky]

Hi Mark....Sorry for your loss. Its hard to even imagine finding such a catastrophe.
Its very odd that a bear would NOT get your hives. That should have been his priority. I wonder if he could smell the hives but ended up tearing into the wrong place. Are they close to eachother? I know around here they bait bear with donuts. Alot of donut shops toss out the old donuts and the bear love them. Good luck.

 

[speckledhen]

Gee, Mark, I had a feeling it was a bear. Sounded too powerful, even for a boar coon. From what I hear, only a hotwire will stop a bear. Good luck. I really wish I could help you out rebuilding your flock. The only thing I could do is send you eggs to incubate.

 

[lacyloo]

Did you ever see and foot prints, or hair that might of got cut in the wire or somin. ?

 

[GoodEgg]

Just wanted to say that I'm sorry to hear of what happened. I can't imagine going to check on your birds and finding something like that.

Hope you find an effective way to deal with the thing, and get a new flock started soon.

trish

 

[peacebird]

omg - Mark - I am SO sorry to hear about this... I may be able to help you find some hens for a new flock. Some folks I know only do chickens spring thru fall, they don't like to overwinter their layers. Email me if you are interested and I will give Sally a call?

Plus I would be willing to share one of Marios babies when they are a little older if you like? They are three weeks now and as cute as can be!

I am so sorry to hear about this... Just so sad.