INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[ellymayRans]

Fingers crossed, its hard losing and much harder not knowing.

I agree! I don't know what's going on around here but I've experienced some serious losses in the past couple of weeks.
All 5 of my young peas that had graduated to the outside and Rocky my 18 mos old peacock. All on different days. Lost 3, then Rocky then the remaining 2 (both of which were girls). All the losses are more than 1 bird at a time, during the day when I've been home! 3 large roosters (Blue Copper Marans, Golden Cuckoo Marans and an Olive Egger, black silkie rooster (the major butthead) a few other silkies, a juviniel blue copper Marans pullet, juviniel frizzled pullet, Mille fleur duccle pullet, all of my juviniel salmon favorelles and 2 Russian orlaff juvies!

I know my neighbors dog had gotten a younger drake and a few other youngins but I asked him once I started losing multiple in a day and he said nope. I had never known him to get multiple in a day either. My dog killed a couple coins and opossums but these losses have all been during the day! While I'm home and all without a trace. I did come home 1 day from work and there was blood relatively fresh and after it had rained so I knew it was fresh but didn't determine where it came from, no feathers, etc. Rocky was a big bird too! I do not know if he disappeared over night or not as we went to football practice and the next day I noticed him gone.

It's been quite gut wrenching to say the least!

Of the 9 peas I hatched I have 2 left growing out in the garage and My hen lost all 4 of her hatches.

I haven't lost any other ducks, guineas or turkeys.
I've penned my remaining juvies and not allowing any free range time. I'll be doing this to my remaining bantams as well. I've worked to hard to build up my silkie numbers and my MF Cochins to lose them! I am also not releasing my remaining peachicks until maybe spring unless I get a big enough pen built. Soooo sad over it all!!

 

[Indyshent]

I agree! I don't know what's going on around here but I've experienced some serious losses in the past couple of weeks.
All 5 of my young peas that had graduated to the outside and Rocky my 18 mos old peacock. All on different days. Lost 3, then Rocky then the remaining 2 (both of which were girls). All the losses are more than 1 bird at a time, during the day when I've been home! 3 large roosters (Blue Copper Marans, Golden Cuckoo Marans and an Olive Egger, black silkie rooster (the major butthead) a few other silkies, a juviniel blue copper Marans pullet, juviniel frizzled pullet, Mille fleur duccle pullet, all of my juviniel salmon favorelles and 2 Russian orlaff juvies!

I know my neighbors dog had gotten a younger drake and a few other youngins but I asked him once I started losing multiple in a day and he said nope. I had never known him to get multiple in a day either. My dog killed a couple coins and opossums but these losses have all been during the day! While I'm home and all without a trace. I did come home 1 day from work and there was blood relatively fresh and after it had rained so I knew it was fresh but didn't determine where it came from, no feathers, etc. Rocky was a big bird too! I do not know if he disappeared over night or not as we went to football practice and the next day I noticed him gone.

It's been quite gut wrenching to say the least!

Of the 9 peas I hatched I have 2 left growing out in the garage and My hen lost all 4 of her hatches.

I haven't lost any other ducks, guineas or turkeys.
I've penned my remaining juvies and not allowing any free range time. I'll be doing this to my remaining bantams as well. I've worked to hard to build up my silkie numbers and my MF Cochins to lose them! I am also not releasing my remaining peachicks until maybe spring unless I get a big enough pen built. Soooo sad over it all!!

I am so sorry, Mandy. I've watched your updates on these birds and your little farm haven for them, and it just breaks my heart to know you're going through this. It's hard to believe Rocky was even 18mos old. It feels like it was this spring he hatched out and wanted to be inside with you all the time. I'm so sorry.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote:
so sorry for your loss.

 

[ellymayRans]

 I am so sorry, Mandy. I've watched your updates on these birds and your little farm haven for them, and it just breaks my heart to know you're going through this. It's hard to believe Rocky was even 18mos old. It feels like it was this spring he hatched out and wanted to be inside with you all the time. I'm so sorry. 

Thanks.

I just checked and am now adding the loss of my eldest 2 Black Copper Marans Roos and my only Golden Cuckoo Marans hen. I have but only 1 large fowl roo remaining and he's a mix from last spring. I am just baffled! Crazy!!!!

 

[Faraday40]

Thank you for all the support & well wishes. We had a great time at the IL state fair. As you can see from DD's face, she was very happy to win both the excellence & superior awards for her poultry science project (Title: Can you tell the gender of an egg?). It's basically the hishest one can get. Several people came by & took an interest (& many photos) of her project. DS had a hard time waiting, but he made the most of it. Although it was a long day, it was worth it. DD is so excited that she's already coming up with ideas for next year's projects! LOL

On a sad note,the missing chick never showed up, but free ranging & simply owning chickens has its happy & sad moments. Thankfully, the ups outnumber the lows.

 

[Faraday40]

I just checked and am now adding the loss of my eldest 2 Black Copper Marans Roos and my only Golden Cuckoo Marans hen. I have but only 1 large fowl roo remaining and he's a mix from last spring. I am just baffled! Crazy!!!!

So sorry for all your losses. I hope you can find & stop whatever's getting them.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote:

I am so sorry to read this, especially Rocky. We all know how much you adored him! I would suspect coyote with the size of birds. Sounds like time for game cameras again.
Same for us here, its been a terrible year. I just do not free range much anymore unless I know I can be right there outside and with that flock. The migratory fowl act prohibits us from acting against hawk, even though some species are terribly over populated. @Leahs Mom sent me a link for premiere netting. I think other members use this product or similar. @racinchickins is this your fence or similar too? here it is:
https://www.premier1supplies.com/?s...edium=email&utm_campaign=August-22-Allspecies
I was really surprised how inexpensive it is, and being portable its going to work out great. I keep everyone cooped now aside from geese, a lone guinea cock, one scovy drake and Physco the scovy hen. Her 2 ducklings are still with her, but will be confining them soon.
We are going to move coops away from the creek, and back by the garage. Less trees and brush for predators to hide and travel. Put up electric fence to protect coops. If it doesn't work and we still have predator issues I am pretty well done fighting to keep poultry. So many losses this last year is telling me to take a hard look. Make changes, improve or rehome is my options for my birds well being. I told DH until we have a "Fort Knox" coop setup I just can't let this continue

.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Thank you for all the support & well wishes. We had a great time at the IL state fair. As you can see from DD's face, she was very happy to win both the excellence & superior awards for her poultry science project (Title: Can you tell the gender of an egg?). It's basically the hishest one can get. Several people came by & took an interest (& many photos) of her project. DS had a hard time waiting, but he made the most of it. Although it was a long day, it was worth it. DD is so excited that she's already coming up with ideas for next year's projects! LOL

On a sad note,the missing chick never showed up, but free ranging & simply owning chickens has its happy & sad moments. Thankfully, the ups outnumber the lows.

Awww looks like they had an awesome time, so fun! And that last picture, someone just crashed LOL!

 

[Greenthumb83]

Thanks.

I just checked and am now adding the loss of my eldest 2 Black Copper Marans Roos and my only Golden Cuckoo Marans hen. I have but only 1 large fowl roo remaining and he's a mix from last spring. I am just baffled! Crazy!!!!

So sorry for all you losses.

 

[racinchickins]

Quote:

I am so sorry to read this, especially Rocky. We all know how much you adored him! I would suspect coyote with the size of birds. Sounds like time for game cameras again.
Same for us here, its been a terrible year. I just do not free range much anymore unless I know I can be right there outside and with that flock. The migratory fowl act prohibits us from acting against hawk, even though some species are terribly over populated. @Leahs Mom sent me a link for premiere netting. I think other members use this product or similar. @racinchickins is this your fence or similar too? here it is:
https://www.premier1supplies.com/?s...edium=email&utm_campaign=August-22-Allspecies
I was really surprised how inexpensive it is, and being portable its going to work out great. I keep everyone cooped now aside from geese, a lone guinea cock, one scovy drake and Physco the scovy hen. Her 2 ducklings are still with her, but will be confining them soon.
We are going to move coops away from the creek, and back by the garage. Less trees and brush for predators to hide and travel. Put up electric fence to protect coops. If it doesn't work and we still have predator issues I am pretty well done fighting to keep poultry. So many losses this last year is telling me to take a hard look. Make changes, improve or rehome is my options for my birds well being. I told DH until we have a "Fort Knox" coop setup I just can't let this continue

.
Yes. That is the same fence I have. I really like it for the chickens. They also have a version for pigs that I'm going to get so I have a mobile paddock for my next group.