INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[CountryHen19]

Jchny, Wow...I am so sorry you are dealing with all of these losses and attacks, to all your animals. Sounds like to me that the DNR needs to open up some bounties. My DH said that at one time, they were giving $5 for fox tails. I don't know how bad it has to get for them to do this but I think talking to farmers and people who own livestock/pets would help.

Update about Rocky (yes that is "her" name now smh):

She and her mate made it through the day and night. I did some physical therapy with her yesterday afternoon and she can stand up straight with her legs under her (with the bandaid on) but has issues trying to walk. She mostly hobbles but its much better than her just laying there. Of course my DH is getting super attached to her so I think this will be one of "his".

She is able to get to the food dish this morning and stay on her feet long enough to eat what is in there and peck at spilled food on the paper towel. I might run into the dollar store while we are taking our dogs to get their nails cut and get some of the shelf liner for both in Rocky's brooder and the regular brooder.


On another note, when can I start letting the others go in the yard for short periods? I think they are getting really bored, especially the SFH since they are a few days (ore more) older. I know I have to give them grit when I do this, I already have some.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

They can go outside at any time, honestly, though dry, warm weather is better conditions for it. My suggestion before taking them out is to dig up a couple clumps of grass from a nice, dry area around where they will be outside to let them peck at (give them grit with this, too). This not only will help with their boredom, but expose them to anything that's out there. Keep an eye on them for a few days for any sign of illness as a result of this exposure. After that, assuming they're healthy and it's warm enough outside, they should be good to go.

 

[CRSelvey]

Thank you. The attacks yesterday were horrendous, Raccoon kill for fun, they will wipe out an entire flock, and not eat them, just kill. I confirmed raccoon tonight, but not before he got a lavender. I have lost 3 of my babies so far, Lavender orps are so docile and friendly, they don't realize something will harm them. This raccoon has been dispatched, I am very happy to report! We will finish the electric fence tomorrow and hope it stops the immediate attacks. My birds are terribly unhappy but at least they will be safe. We are dealing with fox, raccoon, skunk, opossum right now.
Even more concern, one of my barn cats was killed, and another badly injured. So I am assuming coyote, the cat killed was huge, at least 30 pounds, the smaller fella is about 5 pounds but he escaped with a wound to the stomach. All my neighbors ( about 6 within a mile radius) are also saying they are having losses, flocks wiped out. I am very worried this isn't over.

I know I'm a softie, but wow, that made me tear up. I really hope your area is under control soon. I never thought I'd be happy to hear about raccoons being dispatched, but yesterday I told my husband I want a pellet gun or something to help scare them away. I think he's wondering what happened to me, but I can tell you its just chickens. Now that I have them, I like them more than I thought I would and really want them safe. I am so sorry for the loss of your cat and hope the little guy gets better. Good luck to you and your family. I hope you all remain safe while figuring this out.

Itsjustme- My phone used to have an issue and it just recently changed. I think it started finding the mobile site rather than the regular site and its working much better. Maybe it was an update. My son is a lot better too Its like it never happened now that one came back. I agree about it being the favorite because now she's the miracle hen. The rooster that we lost was a gorgeous little red guy that I loved looking at, but boy was he a noise maker!! Now one of the others has stepped up to replace the noise.

Everyone made it through the night in the mudroom, but now I have one more area to keep clean, lol. This weather better hold so we can get stuff done.

 

[Old Salt 1945]

The hen that is left is the one missing most of its feathers,......................

Well, of course it is.

John

 

[Old Salt 1945]

OMG, the hen that got drug off last night is back!!!!!

Change her name to "Rambolina".

John

 

[animallover2202]

I got another egg that external piped the egg that I thought was dead I'm glad I kept it in there

 

[danand]

Too fast- Oh no I meant with a dry wash cloth!! Guess I don't make that clear?!! It's always the closest thing for me to grab!!

 

[Old Salt 1945]

I see a lot of you guys are losing animals to wild life. Did I really build a fortress or am I just that lucky? Coyotes cross around my house all the time, some wolves too I seriously suspect. Not to mention the plethora of weasels minks raccoons and opossums. And hawks are plentiful. What is the deal?

Don't say something like that. You will tempt the fates and they will come down on you like a sack of hammer heads.

John

 

[ldymelissande]

I just took a bread pan and diced up the leftover apple chinks and lettuce from dinner last night, then poured the ceral my son had leftover in with a crumbled slice of stale bread and mixed it up, then pour a bit of chick feed on top. they went a little crazy.

Wren was grabbing apple bits and running, Sharpie was stealing them from her. Very much made the day better.

 

[Old Salt 1945]

My live trap caught a barn cat from down the road. When I let it out, it accelerated from 0-60 in 1 second flat.

John