Maine

[yankeehill]

Today we found another dead chicken. This one is under the coop, does not appear to be eaten. Hubby thinks these hens weren't roosting in the coop. I can't figure out why they wouldn't.

I think something (fox) went into the coop and took the hens out. There are feathers loose in the coop. But, if this is the case, why didn't the fox grab a duck, or geese? They are on the ground, where the hens are the ones roosting. Hubby thinks that if something went into the coop, the geese would have chased it out.

There are fox tracks around, and headed into the woods. We should see in a few days. We've locked up all the birds, the only access to the coop is now through the human door, or the chicken door. I'll block that tonight at dark when they all go in for the night. Hubby has set about 8 foothold traps for the culprit. I do hope we catch it! Sure would be nice to have it gone.

 

[MustardTiger]

How old were they when it was freezer time? Could you have slaughtered them at a younger age, for a smaller bird, while still having the flavor of them?

You know.. they were not that old as far as I can tell. We got them in may and processed them in August. I suppose we could have done it earlier but I have heard bad things about slaughtering too early as far as flavor is concerned. Anyone have anything to chime in about that?

 

[anyasmifya]

Today we found another dead chicken. This one is under the coop, does not appear to be eaten. Hubby thinks these hens weren't roosting in the coop. I can't figure out why they wouldn't.

I think something (fox) went into the coop and took the hens out. There are feathers loose in the coop. But, if this is the case, why didn't the fox grab a duck, or geese? They are on the ground, where the hens are the ones roosting. Hubby thinks that if something went into the coop, the geese would have chased it out.

There are fox tracks around, and headed into the woods. We should see in a few days. We've locked up all the birds, the only access to the coop is now through the human door, or the chicken door. I'll block that tonight at dark when they all go in for the night. Hubby has set about 8 foothold traps for the culprit. I do hope we catch it! Sure would be nice to have it gone.

Foxes suck. Last year I lost like 6 or 7 birds to them! This year they are staying locked up all winter. Poor Birdies! I spent time this morning extending their run area a bit and making new nest box. Which they used already! I put fencing on top of fencing! Need more bird netting still to cover the top. But so far so good! It's a bit of a pain to get into the nest box area. But it is do-able.

 

[yankeehill]

Yeah, they do suck. I just need to keep the dogs in all day. I'll go out with them when they go out, so they don't get in a trap. (The good thing is that with these just being foot holds, and smaller ones, is that the dogs would only get a bruise to their paws if caught in one). Dangerous stuff, but we can't loose more chickens to a wild critter! Hopefully we'll catch it tonight. I'll be quite happy if we do.

 

[CoopChick719]

Today we found another dead chicken.  This one is under the coop, does not appear to be eaten.  Hubby thinks these hens weren't roosting in the coop.  I can't figure out why they wouldn't. 

I think something (fox) went into the coop and took the hens out.  There are feathers loose in the coop.  But, if this is the case, why didn't the fox grab a duck, or geese?  They are on the ground, where the hens are the ones roosting.  Hubby thinks that if something went into the coop, the geese would have chased it out.

There are fox tracks around, and headed into the woods.  We should see in a few days.  We've locked up all the birds, the only access to the coop is now through the human door, or the chicken door.  I'll block that tonight at dark when they all go in for the night.  Hubby has set about 8 foothold traps for the culprit.  I do hope we catch it!  Sure would be nice to have it gone.

Sorry about the hen. Glad it's not one of the dogs!

 

[ggarratt]

Hi all, sorry to butt in after not having been around for a long time. I had a baby last spring, which has kept me busy and left the chickens on their own. But I'm getting excited for hatching season, and need your help. I've been wanting to start a flock of Dominiques for a couple of years now but haven't had any success finding hatching eggs from good quality birds. However in my search I've found recent references to somebody here in Maine who has some nice ones. Does anybody know who it is and could help to get me in touch with them?
Thanks!


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[Jazor]

Yeah, they do suck. I just need to keep the dogs in all day. I'll go out with them when they go out, so they don't get in a trap. (The good thing is that with these just being foot holds, and smaller ones, is that the dogs would only get a bruise to their paws if caught in one). Dangerous stuff, but we can't loose more chickens to a wild critter! Hopefully we'll catch it tonight. I'll be quite happy if we do.

Don't be discouraged if your traps show up empty for a bit. Foxes are infinitely smarter than we humans like to give them credit for. In the rare event you get a chance to see one of the buggers, it's usually when they are ducking into the woods out of sight and you realize it's a fox because you saw the tail.

Also, come up with a plan of what you intend to do with the fox if you are to catch it. Although they aren't incredibly dangerous to an armed human, there's no need having one sit in a trap for 12 hours while you wait for an ACO to show up. Either have the .22 ready, or perhaps let the ACO know ahead of time you'll be needing fox disposal!

Cheers

 

[lazy gardener]

I'm SOOO glad to hear that there's someone else in Maine who is looking at Dominiques. They were my #1 choice when I started with birds this spring, unfortunately the 3 pullet chicks I got from M Mc ended up being roos. I will try again in the spring. Do you have an incubator? I would also be delighted to get some good quality eggs, not crazy about shipping due to the poor hatch rates associated with same. I know there is a teacher near Waterville who has some Dom hens. She got her hatching eggs from someone local, not sure of the quality. Please, if you hear of a source, let me know, and I will do likewise for you. I'm in Winterport. It's not too early to start dreaming!!! SO, ANY ONE OUT THERE IN SOUTHERN, COASTAL, OR CENTRAL MAINE, (WHO HAS DOMS, OR KNOWS SOMEONE WHO DOES) GIVE A SHOUT!!!

oooh! I just re-read your post. You have BLRW. Do you have a roo? Expect hatching eggs in the spring? I'd love to pick up a couple eggs or chicks. Perhaps we could work a trade?? If interested, PM and we'll talk.

 

[ggarratt]

Hi Lazy Gardener, Doms were my first choice too 5 years ago, but there were nice BLRW locally so I went with those instead. But I've been on the lookout for Dominiques ever since. I really enjoying breeding, so I'm trying to get the best stock I can get my hands on to start off. I've joined the breeders club and am just waiting to be approved so I can access their breeders directory. I do incubate and will probably end up hatching shipped eggs, but wanted to check for anyone local first.

This spring I'm working on my Blue/Black/Splash wyandottes, and those are the only pure color eggs I'll have since I only have one breeding pen. But if you're interested in mutt wyandottes, I'd be happy share some eggs or sell some chicks.

 

[lazy gardener]

Thanks. I have a neighbor/friend who has a DIL in Tennessee who raises Doms. This friend also has a private plane. Trying to talk her into getting her DIL to isolate her Doms this spring, then bring me a batch of eggs via private plane. I'll keep the BBS W in mind, will have to look up the info re: how those birds look. I'm really enamored with the looks of the BLRW, love rose combs, naked legs. My understanding is that they're not the most prolific layers, and tend to start laying late, but hold their own in the winter. (that's why I didn't initially choose them for my flock. Input?) I have one EE who is consistently providing me with eggs. Every other day or so. Love my EE!! Every one else is on vacation. And I don't blame them! Also rolling the idea of bee keeping around in my head. Live on 4 acres, surrounded by woods. Approx 3/4 acre open to west of house for chicken/garden/lawn. The only thing holding me back from the bee idea is the concern about bees in relation to my 7 y.o. child who uses that area, has insect bite allergies, and is NOT aware of her surroundings when playing.