Maine

[ducklucky]

Geeze...can't believe a game warden told you that, but they are so busy all the time. Seems we are getting over run with fox in this state, and with the mild winter last year. According to long term weather predictions for La Nina/El Nino, this winter will be hard, and the winters for the following 2, so maybe nature will take care of things. It's so cyclical, we are due for it. Know when we first started with chickens almost a decade ago, we had about 70 (lost count at one point, they seemed to multiply overnite) and they ranged every day, and every other day we would lose one. We were never in the right place at the right time to get 'im, they are so fast and so wiley, it' over in a heartbeat. We kept them in pen for a week or two, and that seemed to calm things down, and learned to stagger their "out" time, but you know they're always out there watching and waiting. We too had fox take them right outside our window when our back were turned as well. They are extremely bold, and apparently loaded with rabies this year. At least you got those 3 kits, so 3 less for us all, thank you for that. We always set out live traps when we think we have a problem starting, and have a neighbor up the hill who shoots them around his prop when they are nuisance. It's nice to have a neighbor like that, he is much more diligent than we, he shot a big fox last week that was lurking in his dooryard, so he probably saved my birds. We did learn that lesson tho, fox will kill every other day, but you may have morre than one hungry momma, so...

 

[ducklucky]

How long ago did you lose your Marans? Recently? Guess the fox had 2 litters this year, they seem to be on the prowl. Knew someone who had Marans, she was disappointed with them for one reason or another, unless you were going to show them. Sorry for your loss, always a heartbreaker. When we first started I cried like a baby for days every time we lost one, but have hardened over the years, and just become smarter about trying to outfox the fox...

 

[doggielove]

I was reading all the posts about foxes and low and behold, I saw one this morning running across a busy street in Westbrook at 8:30AM! I thought it was a strange time for a fox to be out and about.....and a little too close to my neighborhood. My chickens don't free range unless I'm out with them. Otherwise they have their own fenced in yard within my yard. I'm hoping the smell of dogs will keep the fox away. It must be heartbreaking to lose any. Sorry for all of you who have gone thru it.

 

[sailorchick]

Well I am back out on the ship for two months. Thank goodness I have such an amazing BF to take care of all my babies (two dogs, a cat and 11 chickens) for me while I am gone. And it sure does make things easier to have him send me pictures every once in a while. My girls and guy are getting so big so quick. I feel like such a bad mom leaving them home alone, but they are in good hands. Just a couple of pictures of them in their pen and in their sand box. My awesome $9 Mardens find.

 

[ashandvine]

We have a dog. She uses the area the fox was in and near yesterday as her potty so I don't believe in the domestic dog territory being a boundary.
I lost them yesterday. I was just admiring my cockerel's feet as he went out to range. So heavily feathered and nice long toes. I never thought I would wax poetic about a cockerel/rooster, but I really did like him. Maybe he would have grown up to be a jerk... but for now, while not snuggly, he was good for type and interesting. I called the quad my little Ninjas because of how they behaved and moved. Now I am down to two and I can't believe how bummed I am.
This is what I know about fox:
They are always smaller than you expect. They are ambush hunters. They are way too cute for me to hate them but for my chicken's sake I am working on it. They are primarily a nocturnal animal with their prime times being dusk to dawn/early morn. Its not uncommon to see them in the mornings so 8:30 is no biggy but what IS alarming is this: they are a vector species so they carry Rabies as well as ticks and fleas and the heebie jeebies. Once they find a buffet they will return at all hours to try to out smart the prey and ambush it-- hence, if they get one chicky they will come for more at any old hour, without rabies. This once attacked first time today at around 11 am, which is a bit late, and within twenty feet of the house with our kids outside. THAT makes me suspicious and I did borrow a gun. They can carry rabies and not show it.
FYI rabies can be contracted from the carcass if your your animals eat it within a certain amount of time after death. Rabies can even stay refrigerated in a corpse through the winter, only to be eaten by something desperate in spring. In the heat, however, rabies is dead within a day or two.
I realize somewhere nearby a fox had kits this spring and these ones we are seeing on the roadside and in my yard are probably the young who are kicked out now to find their own territory. This one was really clean and fluffy and 'new.' I hate to be the one to end its life but geez. If it had taken one of the other hens or something I would be put out and cautious, but, like Hoppy, I lost a valuable commodity instead so now I'm exasperated. Its my fault for having them out, right? Ugh. I hope no one else has trouble.

 

[ashandvine]

I found this, first paragraph regarding tufted and sebs.
http://s14.invisionfree.com/Aus_Poultry_Breeders/ar/t14.htm

I will say i know nothing (NOTHING) about geese.

Thank you Hoppy. This Auzzie site isn't quite all there is to it. They are not supposed to be tufted anymore unless there is an oopsy. Reading through Holderread's old information (he sold all his) speaks to the stock which I got as since they were from Metzer/Holderread birds. Supposedly. It may be that this is a crop up of an old gene though and that is interesting. I am not a fan of poof on geese or ducks. I might keep these just because I am fond of them, which isn't a good way to work a farm or a business (which might be the same) but if I get another Seb I can breed out. I found a woman here in Maine who is a big keeper of Sebs and worked with Holderread and Vicky of Cottage Rose Sebs for years so she will be a great resource. I think geese are just beautiful. These ones really are quite small but that makes them all the more manageable and affordable to feed. The man who sold them did not call and he was overcharging to begin with... BUT this is what I get as a newbie.

Hoppy, what do you know about Mauve Orps? Are there going to be any more major shows? I don't know when the car will be fixed (finances you know) but I HAVE to go to one. Thanks. It might be fun (hint hint) for some of the BYC gals to all go as a scarey little pack. We don't have to use the bathroom together or anything but we could scout and share information about what we find and see with each other. Several pairs of eyes...

 

[doggielove]

Quote:
That is really scary. I had the chickens out late yesterday afternoon and I don't know if I as was just paranoid, but I kept thinking I heard something in the woods. It is a fenced in yard and there were two of watching the girls, but every once in a while I would peer into the woods to see if I could see anything.

You're right though, fox are very cute. In this area, if there is a problem with wildlife, we call this awesome wildlife guy who will trap and relocate.

On another note, one of my chickens started limping yesterday. She's using the foot to scratch her head, but puts very little pressure on it while walking. Any suggestions? Should I just keep an eye on it for a couple days or should I track down a chicken vet? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[longgrove]

This predator spike is really unsettling. Today Robin was out in the run and found something had been trying to dig in. We put a bunch of rocks at that part of the fence, The panels are quite sturdy and 5 feet high. Thank goodness the flock have the sense to come in at dusk to their coop! I can lower their door and they are quite secure for the night. I don't dare let them range free, but they still love to run around in their little run (gather at the door in the morning and jet out like a shot when its opened). I gather them an armful of green things in the morning and they have a great time picking, scratching and chasing each other for a choice bit (fun to watch).

Can anyong give me some ideas of how do you get worm medicine into chickens?

Thanks,

Nell.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

I lost a bird today. No idea who or to what but I was missing one at bedtime count.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

To get worm medicine into chickens, draw it up into an oral syringe (the dose for 1 bird). Have someone hold the bird still, then have that person pull down on the birds wattles, which will open their mouth. Push the syringe in, deliver medicine. Release bird outside.

I generally leave them all inside in the AM and do them one by one releasing them to the outside so I know who I did.