Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[kathyinmo]

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Been there, done that!
We have now trapped and removed 42 coons, and 38 possums.

HOLY CRAP!!!!!

What was the length of time that you caught all of those over? I think I'd be goin a bit looney if I had that goin here. I've NEVER had this problem before. I think in all the years I've been here...I've seen a handful of predators close enough to the property to warrant concern. I guess I've had it lucky then eh to only have 4. Do you set a bunch of traps? or how do you manage them?

We have been trapping for months. They won't stop. First coons, then possums, mostly. Now, each night about 10PM we go outside and usually shoot 2-4 possums a night. We have a large pond (probably the size of 3 acres). I was told that the water brought them in, because of the heat and no rain this year.

I have 2 traps (one opens at both ends, and I have got 2 at a time in that one), and set them each night.

This past week, however, our predators are coming from the sky.

 

[gilavina]

Quote:
HOLY CRAP!!!!!

What was the length of time that you caught all of those over? I think I'd be goin a bit looney if I had that goin here. I've NEVER had this problem before. I think in all the years I've been here...I've seen a handful of predators close enough to the property to warrant concern. I guess I've had it lucky then eh to only have 4. Do you set a bunch of traps? or how do you manage them?

We have been trapping for months. They won't stop. First coons, then possums, mostly. Now, each night about 10PM we go outside and usually shoot 2-4 possums a night. We have a large pond (probably the size of 3 acres). I was told that the water brought them in, because of the heat and no rain this year.

I have 2 traps (one opens at both ends, and I have got 2 at a time in that one), and set them each night.

This past week, however, our predators are coming from the sky.

yikes! do you have a fort knox for chickies goin on over there? is it owls or hawks?

 

[Ivywoods]

Kathy it sounds like you need to go into the fur harvester business!

Hawks and owls. I think they are the worst. If you have free range chickens, how the heck do you protect them? An owl is the only thing I have lost a bird to since we got the GP dogs. It took a guinea hen. I let a bunch of weeds grow around the coop so the hens would have a place to get away from flying predators. It must be working because that guinea I lost was out in the open in the front yard. I suppose if we didn't have the dogs the weeds might provide a place for the four legged predators to hide, but so far the dogs are scoring 100%.

 

[kathyinmo]

I usually do free range. Funny thing is, I got hit the first time on a day I had no birds out of their pens. Most of my pens are covered. The hawks (plural) first took out 5 chicks (couple months old) from a grow out pen that was not covered. They returned the following day and got another. It appears it was a family attack of sorts. I never knew hawks to come in quantity..... but they do! I have a picture, but have not identified the type yet. I will get to that tonight.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Incubator has been loaded. 17 Black Copper Marans, 6 Cuckoo Marans, 11 B/B/S Ameraucanas, AND - (wait for it ..... ) 3 Silkies (2 whites and a blue)!

Assuming any of them grow, hatch date will be November 21.

 

[Hens and Roos]

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Lots of luck to you with the hatch

that is my DD's birthday she will be 12 years old!

Are these eggs that you picked up at the show this weekend? Our batch of Blue Marans eggs should hatch Nov 13th so just a bit before yours!

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote:
Lots of luck to you with the hatch

that is my DD's birthday she will be 12 years old!

Are these eggs that you picked up at the show this weekend? Our batch of Blue Marans eggs should hatch Nov 13th so just a bit before yours!

My birthday is the day before your daughter's!!

Yes, all the eggs are from Crossroads. They have travelled some distance!!!

 

[Debbi]

Kathy ~ I think you got Mel all excited over Bev's departure from Marans!

Are you getting Cooper's Hawks out there? I had never seen one here before, until I got the chickens. Lived here for 15 years then, and all I saw was Red Tailed Hawks, and the occaisional Bald Eagle. Ye gads! I'm glad I don't have all those coons and possums out here! I caught one young coon this year in my trap. Funny thing was, it wasn't even baited. The neighbor boys up the road have coon hounds, so I'm hoping they will keep the buggers at bay for the most part.

Vicki ~ You'll be surprised how many you will catch. Once they put out the news of the chickens on the "Possum Grapevine". For every one you catch, there are probably 5 more waiting in line for their turn. Keep setting those traps!

 

[Debbi]

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Good luck with your hatch!! Make sure to have a seperate brooder for the Silkies, they are sooooo small.

 

[Mountain Mel 22]

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YOU WERE JUST PULLIN' MY CHAIN???!!!!

While everyone else is catchin' coons & possums, you caught yourself a Mountain Mel!!! I ALMOST called Pinkchick at 10:00 last night to let her in on the news so she could buy birds from Bev if she wanted too!

I don't often "get had", as it were - but you sure got me hook, line, and sinker on that one!