INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Leahs Mom]

Had the kiddos out ranging today. There's been a lot of overhead bird activity so I've gone out about every hour just to make a presence and keep people movement going on out there.

Went out at 7:30 and saw a HAWK inside the kennel run. Some of the adults were in the little wooded area. I didn't see anything in the kennel. When it saw me it flew straight up and looked like it was going to be caught in the netting over the top of the kennel. (I hoped it would get caught in it ...deer netting...and I'd be able to get to it.)

No such luck. Not caught. Came back down and flew out the gate.

Went searching for everyone. All 4 11 week olds were inside the hen house hiding - still as mice. (Little blue was so well hidden it took me awhile to find her. She was in a corner under the nest box staying very still.

Found all the adults - 5 in the wooded area and 1 in the hen house. It didn't get anyone. I got some sunflower seeds and led the woods girls back over to the kennel and shut the gate.

This hawk came back 3 times afterwards.

Came at about 7:30 p - the same time that my neighbor saw one come down on the netting last year.

Is evening hawk hunting time or is that just a coincidence?

 

[bradselig]

All my hawk attacks were during the afternoon. I eventually got the shotgun and fired shots towards the ground to scare it off. All raptor birds are heavily protected by federal govt. if you need to get rid of it, you have to apply for a permit ($50 I believe) with documented proof on how you tried to deter it away and then they will approve or deny your application. Otherwise I believe it's some hefty fines and/or imprisionment for killing a federally protected bird.

 

[Kiniska]

Doesn't fishing line work to keep the hawks at bay? That and a spunky rooster?

 

[pbirdhaven]

How long does it take for these little guys to fluff up? We've been home for 2 hours and the last one to hatch is still pretty wet. It's about 1/3 dry

I leave my chicks in the hatcher for about 24 hours before removing them to the brooder. They actually are okay there up to 3 days before they need nurishment and hydration--I don't leave them that long, though. If they stay in the hatcher until they're completely dry and very active, they withstand the transition to the brooder better. The temperature in the brooder is different and they're exposed to light, which they haven't had before. They have already had to make an adjustment coming out of the shell into the hatcher, and they can rest there before they're moved.

 

[Crafty chick]

I reduced the humidity and it started to fluff a lot faster. The other three are running around eating and drinking already. I put them in with the 10 day old bantam chicks, but en placed them in their own brooder next to the bantams when I noticed the smallest get stepped on. They all got along til I took the youngens out, cuddled and didn't have any eye stabbers. Maybe in a few days the new ones will be strong enough to put back in with the bantams. They may even be the same size by a week or so.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Had the kiddos out ranging today. There's been a lot of overhead bird activity so I've gone out about every hour just to make a presence and keep people movement going on out there.

Went out at 7:30 and saw a HAWK inside the kennel run. Some of the adults were in the little wooded area. I didn't see anything in the kennel. When it saw me it flew straight up and looked like it was going to be caught in the netting over the top of the kennel. (I hoped it would get caught in it ...deer netting...and I'd be able to get to it.)

No such luck. Not caught. Came back down and flew out the gate.

Went searching for everyone. All 4 11 week olds were inside the hen house hiding - still as mice. (Little blue was so well hidden it took me awhile to find her. She was in a corner under the nest box staying very still.

Found all the adults - 5 in the wooded area and 1 in the hen house. It didn't get anyone. I got some sunflower seeds and led the woods girls back over to the kennel and shut the gate.

This hawk came back 3 times afterwards.

Came at about 7:30 p - the same time that my neighbor saw one come down on the netting last year.

Is evening hawk hunting time or is that just a coincidence?

I have had hawks circling in the morning but all of the hawk attacks (hawk swooping down) took place after 2 pm and before 8 pm. once it was less than 3 feet from me. I was able to scare it away that time with no losses. other times I was not. we now keep our layers in a net covered pen. We have been letting our roosters free range. Still with the roosters free ranging, a hawk came and sat perched on the highest top of our coop, looking down at the hens. the roosters were all watching the hawk and the hens were hiding even though the net was protecting them.

Doesn't fishing line work to keep the hawks at bay? That and a spunky rooster?

fishing line did not work for us. even having overlapping dear netting did not work for us and the hawk was able to fly though it on windy days.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Had the kiddos out ranging today. There's been a lot of overhead bird activity so I've gone out about every hour just to make a presence and keep people movement going on out there.

Went out at 7:30 and saw a HAWK inside the kennel run. Some of the adults were in the little wooded area. I didn't see anything in the kennel. When it saw me it flew straight up and looked like it was going to be caught in the netting over the top of the kennel. (I hoped it would get caught in it ...deer netting...and I'd be able to get to it.)

No such luck. Not caught. Came back down and flew out the gate.

Went searching for everyone. All 4 11 week olds were inside the hen house hiding - still as mice. (Little blue was so well hidden it took me awhile to find her. She was in a corner under the nest box staying very still.

Found all the adults - 5 in the wooded area and 1 in the hen house. It didn't get anyone. I got some sunflower seeds and led the woods girls back over to the kennel and shut the gate.

This hawk came back 3 times afterwards.

Came at about 7:30 p - the same time that my neighbor saw one come down on the netting last year.

Is evening hawk hunting time or is that just a coincidence?

OH MY!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Just starting to catch up, busy day... Meet Paddy, my 1st ever Chinese gosling hatched just a few minutes ago!
Strong little baby, I am so excited!
Be back in a bit waiting to see who is next!

 

[critterwhisper]

older girls doing well their first 24 hours in the coop,eating drinking and pooping.they seem to not be sure of the latched door when i walk in,kinda freaks them out. That dang chicken math or empty brooder my husband claims- went to rual king for a hose reel came out with six more chick!!(slapping hand on forehead) 2 more EE,2 polish,and two barred rocks. My flock is now 27! I am done,but least i have the variety i wanted so that lil brooder i emptied and cleaned yesterday is filled again i asked the cashier when they would stop selling chicks- she kinda looked at me funny - and said i guess whenever they sell them all. My husband snickered and said good lord we are in trouble( i caught him awwwing over the polish babies cute lil poofs on top of their heads so he is not fooling me)

 

[critterwhisper]

Jcny -- so cute