Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[lovechicks1293]

Dang! I lost a duck today to an unknown predator. I walked outside this afternoon while the critters were free ranging, and saw a big old vulture almost land in the yard. I yelled at it, then dipped inside to grab my .22 to shoot off and make noise. I didn't end up needing to shoot because it flew off, and I noticed 2 of them. This same thing happened yesterday and I think one of them may have gone after my rooster, since he's missing feathers from his tail.

I can't find one of my pekin girls anywhere though. The vultures never have really given me trouble before, but now 2 days in a row, they're around and up to something. I can't believe they would pick up and fly off with a big pekin duck though!

Everyone is on lockdown for now until I can get a better idea of what's going on. I'm starting to wonder if Wile E. is making a return again this year.

Broad daylight, boom, duck is MIA now. I just can't imagine the vultures doing it, seems like it would have to be something big and fast. No feathers, no blood, not signs of anything.

oh man that sucks for you! i cant help you, but i wish you good luck of getting rid of those nasty vultures!

 

[wannahomestead]

oh man that sucks for you! i cant help you, but i wish you good luck of getting rid of those nasty vultures!

Yea it's a bummer for sure. Unfortunately it's not the first loss here, and likely won't be the last. Something loves my ducks apparently.

It's that time of year when the predators start moving more. I lost 2 ducks last year about this same time to a coyote. I caught him in the act too, but didn't have a piece on me to take care of the issue.

 

[1muttsfan]

It is very unlikely that the vultures were to blame. Their primary diet is carrion, and while they might go after very small living animals, they do not carry their prey off. They are more likely to check out something that they think is dead; they spread themselves across the sky and when one flies down others will fly over to see what it is they're interested in. Vultures do quite a service in getting rid of dead animals which otherwise would stink things up, and possibly spread disease. In addition they are protected Raptors, and it is a strictly enforced federal crime to injure or kill them.

Many birds are migrating right now, including Birds of Prey. Spring and fall are good times to keep your birds under protective cover as the travelers are usually hungry.

 

[TreeTree411]

So I just freaked out on my hubby because he had a Duck on the back deck from duck hunting, but it's infested with lice. Praying it doesn't transfer to my chickens. Can it?

 

[wannahomestead]

It is very unlikely that the vultures were to blame. Their primary diet is carrion, and while they might go after very small living animals, they do not carry their prey off. They are more likely to check out something that they think is dead; they spread themselves across the sky and when one flies down others will fly over to see what it is they're interested in. Vultures do quite a service in getting rid of dead animals which otherwise would stink things up, and possibly spread disease. In addition they are protected Raptors, and it is a strictly enforced federal crime to injure or kill them.

Many birds are migrating right now, including Birds of Prey. Spring and fall are good times to keep your birds under protective cover as the travelers are usually hungry.

Definitely didn't think it was likely they'd haul their meal off, I think there's something bigger giving me trouble.

Just to make sure it's clear, I was not, and will not, shoot at the vultures. I actually like them, as long as they stay away and mind their own. My .22 was brought out strictly for noise, as the vultures don't seem to care much for the crack from it. I have no intentions of shooting vultures.

The only thing I'll shoot is something attacking my livestock. I'm more of a "don't bother me, and I won't bother you" kind of guy.

 

[aart]

So I just freaked out on my hubby because he had a Duck on the back deck from duck hunting, but it's infested with lice. Praying it doesn't transfer to my chickens. Can it?

Yes.
Keep it away from coop, chickens, and anywhere the chickens can go.
Hopefully he burns the carcass after processing....maybe put it in a bag until processing.

 

[wannahomestead]

well I jumped the gun on my doom and gloom, look what I just found

 

[1muttsfan]

Awww all innocent-like

 

[wannahomestead]

Awww all innocent-like

I know right? How can you stay mad at a face like that, lol

 

[zndzant]

So glad your duck is home and it was a false alarm.