INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[vickichicki]

Think Spring ~ Consumers Love Farmers Markets!

My husband and I actually go down to Davis county and purchase vegtables and fruit from the local sellers and resell it here in the city. Food tastes better than anything than you can buy in the stores and we are generally cheaper too. Have several repeat customers who come back for the watermelons as they and I quote 'Have not tasted a watermelon like like since they were a kid'. All the food is ready to be eaten, not sit on the side for days on end before you can use it. We keep it all local grown, nothing out of State. Anything left over after the weekend is donated to the local food pantry. Stuff we can not sell, like bruised cucmbers, peppers, corn etc go to the chickens.
If I could find a way to sell my eggs at out stand I would.

 

[Mother2Hens]

jchny2000 commented on the Farmers Market graph: I believe it! Everyone is worried about GMO and who knows what else is in and on our foods.

From Mother2Hens: I am just posting this article for general information for those who are interested in GMO. This features various opinions just for discussion. I scanned the article instead of posting a link because that would have required registering to read it.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Ok, so I broke out my 'Birds of Indiana' book. So I may be an avid bird watcher.. what of it!

Red tailed hawks can have a wingspan of up to 4 ft, making the sheer size have the ability to pick a chicken up and disappear with it, same with the Northern Harrier (although these guys are more marsh hunters). As they are all year round birds, I guess this makes them the most likely suspect for your missing birds.

Cooper and Sharped shined are smaller birds and often pick of small birds. I have seen many a bird disappear from my feeder thanks to the Cooper. Although they are generally noisier upon picking their pray. Screeching before a bird is picked off.

Osprey, although large and intimidating, are fisher birds. (have a great picture of one that took someones koi)

Bald Eagles will also prey on ducks and other birds. Obviously large enough to take out most critters. Also year round in certain parts of Indiana, so I would not rule it out. (have great pictures of one of these too carrying a squirrel)

Not to mention... owls. Silly as it sounds. Great Horned Owl is about the same size as a red tailed hawk. Although normally nocturnal, I guess if it was close enough to some trees.. Well if it is hungry. Great Horned are also one of the few birds that will take skunks and porcupines.

Hopefully narrowing down the birds might make it a big easier to find a way to deter them. Well that and I just wanted to be fancy pants and show of my bird knowledge

I really enjoyed this post. Owls can and will attack cats and even small dogs! We have a large one here but haven't seen him, just heard the hooohooo.in the early evening. They will also take a skunk or raccoon.

 

[danand]

I saw a great horned owl a couple weeks ago. Around 4:00 in the afternoon. I'd notices a big tree with a large natural hole in it and had thought at the time what a perfect spot for one. Few days later as I drove by, out he came! Swooping down to get something in the pasture. Once you see them fly you never forget what they look like. And they are perfectly quiet.critters don't stand a chance! So unless you were out to hear the chicken squawk you'd never know!

 

[4 the Birds]

Boons: Very Nice! First snow chicken I have ever seen

Vicki: The only two on your list that I see around our place are: Coopers Hawks and Owls. The Hawks are spotted during the day and the owls are very hard to spot; Yet, they are heard alot. I have only seen a few at night on the ground in the headlights when we drive down our long driveway.

Bald Eagles are really rare in these areas let alone spotting one. I have only seen one bald eagle once years and years ago in Brownsburg at our home in the country. Their HUGE wingspan is unbelievable and memorable!!

 

[AATH]

My new girl with her big sisters

 

[strssdmom]

Boons: Very Nice! First snow chicken I have ever seen

Vicki: The only two on your list that I see around our place are: Coopers Hawks and Owls. The Hawks are spotted during the day and the owls are very hard to spot; Yet, they are heard alot. I have only seen a few at night on the ground in the headlights when we drive down our long driveway.

Bald Eagles are really rare in these areas let alone spotting one. I have only seen one bald eagle once years and years ago in Brownsburg at our home in the country. Their HUGE wingspan is unbelievable and memorable!!

Check out this article about the reintroduction of Bald Eagles by Lake Monroe.
http://www.nature.org/ourinitiative.../journeywithnature/bald-eagles-in-indiana.xml
You would be very surprised to know how many Bald Eagles are in Indiana, now. I believe they are over 100 mating pairs of Bald Eagles in Indiana.

Does anyone know if a Falcon can take a chicken? I have seen two of them in my area. I think they are a mated pair.

Elizabeth

 

[danand]

Strss- I wouldn't think a falcon could take a LF, Bantys yes!

 

[Little Ameraucana Mom]

I thought you all might enjoy mine and my three year old daughter's "Snow Chicken"

This is just TO Cute !!!!!

 

[vickichicki]

My new girl with her big sisters

Yay... Happy Birthday to you... Happy Birthday to you.... Looking a whole less lonely in there now