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Lazy Gardener: Tis ok happened years ago now. Plus managed to save many of the chickens by giving them a new home. With the new flock I'm my likely to take my grand fathers example, and collect pelts when the foxes come.
 
islandgirl82 said:
LG, I'm pretty sure I too would be a hatching addict if I had an incubator which is exactly why I don't!
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But, you see... it's really not a bad problem to have. And an incubator can be built for not very much money! I just took 10 chicks to a friend today. Perfect exchange. She got free chicks, I got a nice little check, first donation towards my upcoming mission trip to Guatemala this summer. Just re-filled the bator again this afternoon. Hoping for a better hatch rate this time.

DaQatz said:
Lazy Gardener: Tis ok happened years ago now. Plus managed to save many of the chickens by giving them a new home. With the new flock I'm my likely to take my grand fathers example, and collect pelts when the foxes come.
Click to expand...
Yes, pelts would be nice to insulate the coop with. Think of the possibilities: a little coon and possum stew for the chickens. (Or myself if I was really brave) and a few pelts to line the nest boxes! I'm a great fan of electronet fencing. Cuts down on the predation risk.
 
Lost 2 girls (Eglantine & Laverne) to a fox Wednesday evening. Thought I had lost my roo as well because his feathers were everywhere! After 1 hour of looking, I found a shell shocked Columbian (Clementine) in the woods making her way back to the coop. She was panting but no visible injuries. I placed her in a nesting box, tried to get her to drink some water but she wouldn't. Went back out to the woods in the opposite direction and found more Columbian feathers. When I came back my roo was standing at the people door of the coop. I don't know where he came from. He did not like me checking him all over. Found some blood but looked like it was from feathers being ripped out. I had been out of work for 2 days due to bronchitis & a sinus infection so I really just wanted to come home & rest. 2 hours of searching the woods & neighbors' backyards. Poor Clementine didn't make it. :( DH checked on her at 6:15am. She was still panting and in the box. When I went out to feed & water at 7:30, she had passed.

I knew I was pushing it with unsupervised free ranging! Everyone was in lockdown today. Didn't even let them into the playground because it's not predator secure. Also watched an eagle skim our treetops last week with 1 crow in hot pursuit. Found coyote poop in the woods in several places. Buying a game cam this weekend to see what else I'm dealing with.

Keep an eye on your flock! The predators are out & hungry!!

Good news-- I got my vets office to do a fecal float on chicken poop. Negative for cocci. Bad news--we have worms.

Has anyone used Durvet's Strike III for worming? No withdrawal on eggs just butchering. 1 bag treats 50 pounds of feed. I feed FF. Do you think that ratio still holds true? Would love to hear your thoughts!
 
Sorry about your fox woes. We have them here, too. You're right, predators are hungry. All my animals are "behind bars" right now until the predators get their fix elsewhere. One of the two foxes was back on Wednesday morning looking for a meal. We were unprepared but did manage to scare it off with a shot.
 
So sorry for your losses, Coopchick!

I have two flocks that are going out into an unsecure fenced-in area for an hour or so a day, but that just started this week when the snow melted. The older flock free-ranges from 5 - 6 pm when I am home, but they'll be fenced as soon as the ground thaws (but not fox-secure). I've been lucky here with predators so far, unless you count rodent invasions. We are also noticing the eagles flying over....
 
My flock does not have a run right now, b/c the coop did not get finished until very late in November. Still does not have a functional pop door, or outside nest box access. So, they're free ranging for now. I need to get that rectified, but can't until the fire dept comes and burns my slash piles. (hopefully this weekend) Then, I can move the electronet and give them a secure run around the coop. I'm so sorry for your losses coop chick. I know it's just a matter of time for me, in fact, I'm on borrowed time re: predator losses right now.
 
Thanks everyone! I hate keeping them in lockdown but it's for the best right now. I'll do some supervised time in the playground this weekend but nothing outside the fences. I've lost a few in the past when we were outside in the yard at the time but not near the coop.

Maybe I'll build them a swing for entertainment!
 

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