Maine

[lazy gardener]

My new front lawn has sprouted some very interesting sink holes. Some of it may be attributed to the water table being high, and the fill settling into the places where the contractor buried a lot of rocks and tree stumps. But 2 of the new sink holes are in the upper lawn which has been stable for over 25 years, and all of the sink holes seem to be in a fairly straight line from the 2 upper ones to the one furthest away. One of them is bubbling quite regularly. The ditch is not helping matters. We never noticed until we had land cleared that the ditch drains across this newly seeded lawn. Before, the area was all wooded. We knew it was wet, but didn't pay much attention. Now the ground level has been raised up, and the ditch still drains across it. Will need to call the town office.

 

[striperon]

Very sad today. Lost my friendliest pullet yesterday, without a trace. I hoped she would show up this morning, but no show. I have no idea what happened, I left them out while going to dinner with my kids (mine are all grown and days with them are always precious) and my grandson ( so awesome little boy). No more free range unless I am right there to tend them. They will not be happy about that, they so enjoy being free, but they are not safe.

 

[chickenneighbor]

So sorry for your loss. Why is it always the favorie one? Keep looking, though; one of the girls next door was grabbed by a fox, escaped, found a hiding spot, and showed up two days later.

 

[lazy gardener]

I'm sorry for your loss. It's hard to loose one, harder still when they disappear without a trace. Maybe she's got a hidden nest???

 

[islandgirl82]

Oh I hope she comes back! I was also thinking maybe she has a nest somewhere or was startled enough to hide out until she's sure whatever danger may be around has passed.

 

[striperon]

I do hope she is hiding. I do not find a spot with feathers scattered, that would be the case if caught. So hope continues, however faint.

 

[IZZYBELLA]

So sorry, striperon. So much harder when it's a favorite, too. I hope she shows up.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Very sad today. Lost my friendliest pullet yesterday, without a trace. I hoped she would show up this morning, but no show. I have no idea what happened, I left them out while going to dinner with my kids (mine are all grown and days with them are always precious) and my grandson ( so awesome little boy). No more free range unless I am right there to tend them. They will not be happy about that, they so enjoy being free, but they are not safe.

I'm sorry. It's tough even when it's not a favorite bird.

I lost my favorite bird 18 months ago and I still tear up at the thought of her.

 

[CoopChick719]

So sorry for your loss, striperron

It sucks to lose them even harder if it's a favorite!

Still battling the rats! Rats 2, Me 0...Traps sprung 2 nights in a row. Used peanut butter mixed w/birdseed, then just peanut butter. Using bread tonight. I've gotta get some peanutbutter cups.

Scored a 5 gallon pail of veggies & some lobster bodies from a local market for the girls. The market told me to bring another bucket and check back in 3 days for more.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

So sorry for your loss, striperron

It sucks to lose them even harder if it's a favorite!

Still battling the rats! Rats 2, Me 0...Traps sprung 2 nights in a row. Used peanut butter mixed w/birdseed, then just peanut butter. Using bread tonight. I've gotta get some peanutbutter cups.

Scored a 5 gallon pail of veggies & some lobster bodies from a local market for the girls. The market told me to bring another bucket and check back in 3 days for more.

I had some giant rat problems last summer/fall. Rat traps (zappers or neck snappers) didn't work. I had success with: drowning buckets, small/medium Have a Heart traps and just plain going outside with a .22 and shooting them at dusk/dawn and even during the day when they'd wake to steal duck food. We also did one of those sulfide gas bombs and then shot what ran out. After we did that (and shot/drowned a few) the rat colony moved on to greener pastures. Good luck.
Oh, and I also put out a game cam so that I could figure out where they were coming from/going to so I knew where to shoot from.