Keeping Chickens Free Range

[gander007]

Quote:
This may be true but all the Weasels around here only have two legs not four

 

[ZORRO3061]

Thanks for the pictures! Is that flowers on that large tree?

Great looking place.

Hi duluthralphie
Is a native flower tree called chuva de ouro (golden rain). It leaves a yellow golden carpet of flowers on the ground

 

[OrganicFarmWife]

 


Your land looks beautiful. I've seen documentaries on Brazil and it is an amazing place from what I can tell. I didn't realize you had many of the same animals we do further north
I have had several dogs who mostly ignore the chickens. The exception is one I have now who once in a great while has killed a bird. Wondered if it was because the bird was injured or sick. Most of the time this dog ignores the chickens and in fact they all hang out together. Very odd.
Neither of the dogs are aggressive in nature. They do bark and that is what matters. Of course you would want a dog that could hold its own with the wildcats. We're talking wildcats not feral cats - right?

Yes,I think I will need a good dog. Some barking should work. I was afraid that the dog could kill the hens

These are the cats comming from the bushes
What we call Woods Cat (gato do mato): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oncilla
What we call Jaguatirica (small Jaguar): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocelot

Some dogs will kill hens...Or rather many dogs will. That does not mean all dogs will. I personally prefer the farm dogs over hunting dogs, but many will tell you exceptions. What it really comes down to is individual dogs and good training.

 

[ZORRO3061]

Some dogs will kill hens...Or rather many dogs will. That does not mean all dogs will. I personally prefer the farm dogs over hunting dogs, but many will tell you exceptions. What it really comes down to is individual dogs and good training.

Many thanks !!!!!

 

[vpatt]

By farm dog do you mean herding dogs? Ours that was so good was a Great Dane. I am beginning to consider another dog.

 

[OrganicFarmWife]

Yes I like my Shepard mutt. I have heard wonderful things about the Great Pyrenees too (which I think is more of a guard dog? Then herd dog?)

 

[potterycat]

I lost 1 mysteriously Monday morning and Monday night lost my other 4, in the coop, to a weasel, I believe! It was the saddest thing. All 4, 8 week olds, had broken necks and nothing more. We set out a trap too. I hope to catch it. I have a bone to pick with it!

 

[scrambled please]

True!! We need more opinions.

They go some place else at night far away,some other reality. I have never successful moved one but night is the time to act. I have heard of people who have to for safety sake.

 

[lazy gardener]

I agree,,NOW if my stupid one would just learn to leave eggs alone!

Perhaps he's not so stupid. Fresh eggs are tasty.

Yes, I will need a dog.Some barking will do ! I was just afraid that the dog killed the hens, but it seems that you and others had a good experience.

and also yes, no feral cats
The Gato do Mato (Cat of the Bushes)

And Juaguatirica (small Jaguar)

Nice pics of beautiful cats. You live in a beautiful land. I've been as far south as Guatemala, Jamaica. Awesome landscape. You can keep your cats!

 

[duluthralphie]

Perhaps he's not so stupid. Fresh eggs are tasty.

He is a She, and she is not a happy puppy anymore. She is back to wearing a hard muzzle whenever she goes outside. It is hard to pick an egg up when you have a muzzle on.

I just wish I could be assured every egg she steals is fresh. We find nests around here from last year now and then. We wear "protective" clothing and use a Looooooong pole with a soup ladle taped to it to pick these eggs up. Some have been know to explode as soon as we touch them. We found one nest and went to get the "OSHA approved rotten egg demolition equipment and protective gear" and came back to find the nest empty of eggs. No proof "she" took them, but circumstantial evidence points to her.