Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Totalcolour]

Missed you!

I've missed you guys too. Haven't quite made it through all the posts yet, but since I'm still recovering and can't do much "heavy" work, I have tons of time for reading!

 

[tjbeckman]

Thanks all for the input on my hen. If anyone has an apron pattern they could share it would be great! Hope all the birds are well. Somehow my coop door got closed today so when I finally got around to going out to lock up around 9 none of them were indoors. Thankfully all but one was in the same spot at the back of the coop so as I picked them up and stacked them on shoulders getting 4 or 5 per trip I finally got them all in and found the lone hen on the fence. Gotta love it!

 

[applegal]

Hi all, faithful reader/10-thumbs poster here. Today I found the 3rd Coopers-Hawk-kill in 6 weeks on my flock, this one underneath the cedar tree next to the barn (old 1-stall garage renovated). AARGGH!!! I had strung wire in various patterns around the run to discourage it, and somehow it navigated the barrage wires to take an 18-mo. hen. She was a good layer too, lots of eggs in the pipeline on examination. Her meat is simmering for chick feed tomorrow, the rest buried in the garden.
Next step is to string more wire, with pieces of aluminum-flashing attached at intervals, between every fence-post in the run.
There, that gives me a direction, and thank you for letting me vent.
After the 2nd kill, I hid underneath another cedar, close to the kill, rifle in hand, for hours, watching the hawk circle me, until DW interrupted my hunt with an explanation of the legal ramifications of being caught killing a hawk, and what that would mean to our lifestyle. Very sobering.

My sympathy for your loss. My DH and I were out tonight in the wind, making a partition in the run and covering it with bird netting. We too had strung wire across at intervals. Last week I came around the corner of the coop to find Hermione, my sweet EE 10 month old pullet being ripped to pieces by a cooper's hawk. When the hawk saw me, it got off the carcass and casually and easily flew out through the wires. 25% of my flock has been picked off this winter by hawks and a fox. I have only ever lost 2 hens total for all previous winters due to attack. So frustrating!!!

 

[1muttsfan]

You can buy heavy-duty poultry netting in smaller pieces on Ebay, the heavier weight is worth it, I have seen large hawks bounce off it like a trampoline.

 

[fuzzybutt love]

That would be a funny picture! I can almost imagine the surprise on the hawk as it bounces off.......

 

[fuzzybutt love]

ok i'll find the pattern link; there is also this place that sells diapers and saddles too

http://www.louisescountrycloset.com/hen-saddles/?sort=featured&page=1

 

[fuzzybutt love]

not the best one, but i can't find the one i used to make my pattern. I did one better and put snaps on my straps, much easier than trying to slide elastic UP wing feathers!!!

Don't gotta be pretty, you will probably make a few before you are satisfied. I just used old clothes and didn't go out to buy any fancy cloth until i was sure they fitted right; if you aren't a sewer jeans work good too, just add elastic or straps!

One caveat; don't use yellow, red, or pink, or bright orange!!! They see those colors and will terrorize worse, also if you can do several hens at once it will make her stick out less. I wish i had a video of the first time i stuck a saddle on my hen, though she was posed and proud with her frilly one the first time i tried one i about died laughing!!!!!

She threw herself UPSIDE down and kicked, took off and ran faster than i though she could in circles, acted like she couldn't walk; threw herself sideways a few times........... and by the end of the week you'd have though she was sheba herself!

 

[gladahmae]

there's also someone from michigan on ebay that sells them (and also splash blue wheaton ameraucana eggs) if you don't want to mess with making them yourself and would like to keep your dollars in-state.

 

[HooverHenHouse]

Sssh don't tell hubby..I let my new girls play in the house tonight while everyone else was sleeping. After 5 minutes the girls were fearless..jumping onto the tv, the chairs, checking out the register..they were fun to watch! Never let one in the house before.

 

[HooverHenHouse]

Forgot to add-I dont think i will let them back in the house again..Thankfully i did it before I did my mass cleaning that is planned for tonight..as I had to follow the birds with wet ones-I cant believe how much they can poop in 10 minutes! It's insane..


Also, my deaf terrier was sleeping upsatirs..about 10 mins after the birds went back outside he came bolting down the stairs..and is now doing circles around the house. His nose is going nonstop..enough to drive me nuts.