Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Lisa and girls]

Just lost my second hen, also a WHYandotte.  Fox, again.  They're getting into the pasture, using the corn field to hide and pounce (I think).  There was a trail of feathers this time, leading into the field.  Dunno what to do about it.  Don't own a gun and don't have a way to keep fox out of the pasture.  Not only that but they're coming closer to the barn and I worry that the run will also be compromised or at least tested.  I'd rather not but oh well.

Lady, are you apposed to buying a firearm? A 22 is a really easy long rifle to handle and would help keep predators away.

 

[preciouskitty]

Lady, are you apposed to buying a firearm? A 22 is a really easy long rifle to handle and would help keep predators away.

Agree, assuming you are not opposed of getting a firearm. And, they only work if you are home to see the offending predator

I liked the idea of the electric wire, too...might not be a bad idea to use both options...

So sorry about your loss, lady

 

[ladyrsanti]

Thanks. I'm not opposed to a firearm per se but I think I might be opposed to shooting the fox. It was here before I was and has to eat too. Can't blame her for wanting a chicken dinner. I know, they're tasty. But I have a deep respect for any creature as crafty as a fox. Plus, it would be a shame to kill the wildlife because of my chicken obsession after all. I can buy eggs down at the supermarket but the fox can't. Ever watch Fantastic Mr. Fox? Hehehe. Probably my all time favorite movie... EVER.

Anyway, I like the electric fence idea but it would mean working out another logistical issue. The space between the fence and the field is full of weeds (there's a pokeweed TREE out there, I swear is the largest pokeweed I've ever seen) and it's a pain keeping that clear but I'd have to if I want to electrify it. I've looked at those chargers before but I never know which ones to buy -so many specs... so I don't, heheh. But I should. I would also have to tell the farmer that it's there so he doesn't snag it with his tractor at harvest. That would be a costly mistake, for me.

 

[preciouskitty]

Thanks.  I'm not opposed to a firearm per se but I think I might be opposed to shooting the fox.  It was here before I was and has to eat too. Can't blame her for wanting a chicken dinner.  I know, they're tasty.  But I have a deep respect for any creature as crafty as a fox.  Plus, it would be a shame to kill the wildlife because of my chicken obsession after all.  I can buy eggs down at the supermarket but the fox can't.  Ever watch Fantastic Mr. Fox?   Hehehe.  Probably my all time favorite movie... EVER.

Anyway, I like the electric fence idea but it would mean working out another logistical issue.  The space between the fence and the field is full of weeds (there's a pokeweed TREE out there, I swear is the largest pokeweed I've ever seen) and it's a pain keeping that clear but I'd have to if I want to electrify it.  I've looked at those chargers before but I never know which ones to buy -so many specs... so I don't, heheh.  But I should.  I would also have to tell the farmer that it's there so he doesn't snag it with his tractor at harvest.  That would be a costly mistake, for me.

Kinda hear ya on the shooting the fox. To date, DH has taken care of that sort of thing cuz
I have this hang up on "eradicating" anything that I am not actually gonna put on my table to eat

I may change my tune (so he says) after I experience my first loss...

 

[ladyrsanti]

Yes. And for me, raccoons and woodchucks, skunks and opossums are different. Fox are as clever if not more so than your dog or cat. My mom had a shiba inu a while back that was so fox-like that I could not distinguish the difference in intelligence and beauty between the two species. She would even jump in the air and pounce on things and attempt to bury her kibble.

I don't let people make me feel inadequate anymore for what I do (or don't do as the case may be). It's not a weakness, but a strength. I'm not sad about the chickens that I've lost. It's the way things are. But I will attempt to deflect the fox's attempts, so that we can both live and let live... until one of the neighbors shoots her that is. One thing I've learned since moving to this side of the state is that people here LOVE to shoot things. So I'm looking into the fencing. I'll need to go to TSC to scout what they have and maybe let them "hook me up"

I really didn't want to spend on fencing right now, while in the throes of building this new coop but gotta do what ya gotta do.

 

[TTracy]

Yes. And for me, raccoons and woodchucks, skunks and opossums are different. Fox are as clever if not more so than your dog or cat. My mom had a shiba inu a while back that was so fox-like that I could not distinguish the difference in intelligence and beauty between the two species. She would even jump in the air and pounce on things and attempt to bury her kibble.

I don't let people make me feel inadequate anymore for what I do (or don't do as the case may be). It's not a weakness, but a strength. I'm not sad about the chickens that I've lost. It's the way things are. But I will attempt to deflect the fox's attempts, so that we can both live and let live... until one of the neighbors shoots her that is. One thing I've learned since moving to this side of the state is that people here LOVE to shoot things. So I'm looking into the fencing. I'll need to go to TSC to scout what they have and maybe let them "hook me up"

I really didn't want to spend on fencing right now, while in the throes of building this new coop but gotta do what ya gotta do.

Im with you there! People around here will shoot anything that moves!!!! We had an eastern hognose snake here for 4 summers in a row, named him/her Hank the snake. Everyone was like, better kill it, its going to get your chickens and eggs, nope never messed with them, but I did see it eat chimpmunks, tree frogs and moles. We have had a couple of run ins with young raccoons, but we have managed to scare them off. My favorite was a trap my son set up with his old hungry, hungry hippo game. Scared that coon so bad he never came back and it was so funny, my stomach hurt from laughing so hard!

 

[RTFchickens]

Agree, assuming you are not opposed of getting a firearm. And, they only work if you are home to see the offending predator

I liked the idea of the electric wire, too...might not be a bad idea to use both options...

So sorry about your loss, lady

Just a side note. 22 long rifle ammo is very difficult to find. There has been a shortage for about a year now.

 

[lbrykowski2011]

There is a lady in Attica that has Araucanas and Ameraucanas for sale. I don't know if she's got any chicks right now but she is selling most of her flock off due to the fact that they are selling their farm and moving to Florida. I have her number and can contact her if you want. I just got a few mutt chickens and EE from her that are doing great so far. The EE's were close to POL and one of them just laid a huge blue egg. Much more blue than any of my other EE's.

edited for blonde issues . . .

Does she have alot? I live in Capac, about 15mins from Attica and would love an Araucana. I would like a blue layer, I have an easter egger, but she lays extra lg green eggs. They are very pretty!!

 

[Jake Levi]

There is another alternative to shooting or otherwise killing the fox, a live trap , and they work well, you can move it to another area, park etc. Beats killing. The Delaware pullets I posted as available are leaving Sunday, I am meeting the new owner in Standish, an hours drive. These are beautiful started hand feeding pullets, nearing POL. I will miss them.

I still have 7 beautiful started Iowa Blues, also hand fed, a month younger. I just want a good home for them. They are an endangered breed. And this is a very nice starter flock for someone. PM me for more information, or just ask here.

 

[gladahmae]

brethren49619 also has araucanas. don't know if she has any to sell or not, but i know she has them! BIL hatched 2 out in our recent incubating session.....i should probably go over and peek at them today to see if there are any tufts or rumps!