Michigan

[NovaAman]

Aw, sorry RaZ... I lost 2 to hawks this year... And the neighbor lost 5!

Angela, I think people use vaseline on the combs... I keep looking at my girls comb, and they all look good. Mr. Fluffers has the occassional purplish tip, especially when the wind is really blowing, but they seem to go back to red.

We are supposed to get 40+ weather today. It was 36 here when I went out to get the ducks fresh water and let the the chickies out. Tomorrow, supposed to be nearer to 50. Well, you know what they say, If you don't like MI weather, just wait a few days... it'll change. SO, tomorrow, or maybe even today yet, the ducks will be able to go swimming. LOL. Silly freeloaders.

Anyway. Got some family coming up today, so I guess I had better go ahead and make the carpets presentable... Dogs+Cats= Carpet sweaters. LOL.

OH! Had a possum visit last night in the underrun. He was doing clean up detail I guess. I had the door still open on the coop, and the duck door was still open. The little bugger was only interested in the left over bread and apples the chickens left. HOWEVER, they were all up on the roosts looking totally freaked out! Guess I had best get my lazy rear end out there before 7. Usually have them closed up by 6, but, somedays, that just can not happen. Also, my dang dogs got out yesterday. Don't know how. I walked the fence from the outside so I'd be able to see, and I can not find any tracks coming out from the fence, or where they could have figured out how to jump over. I don't get it. BUT, no chickens were harmed in the making of that freedom. I know... I checked every single one. LOL. AND that did not make them happy.

 

[chickflick]

So sorry, Raz!

 

[1muttsfan]

Raz!

So sorry to hear that - they do look pretty dove-like, I wondered if they would be more likely to be hawk bait.

Yorkchick, the song is great just as it is.

I considered dry hatching last year, but my house is sooo dry in the winter/spring (less than 20% humidity even with a humidifier) that it seemed like a bad idea. I had pretty good success, other than with some badly handled shipped eggs.

 

[RaZ]

I think hawks are pretty cool. It bothers me that I lost one of my chickens, but at the same time I'm happy that this hawk is surviving. I think it's good that some wildlife is returning to the suburbs. I am sure that many of my neighbors would disagree.

 

[Stacykins]

Quote:
Why do you think your neighbors would disagree? Do they like living in a sterile, animal free environment?

When I lived in downtown Milwaukee, I knew we had a few local birds of prey. I'd see them from time to time. It was always fun seeing them. That and the neighborhood fox, who'd come out late at night (I worked a night job on my college campus, so I'd occasionally see her). City wildlife is definitely common, they're just better as staying off the radar, I think. I came SO close to a peregrine once, by accident. I was walking in a morning grog to PT for Army ROTC, and walked under a very short tree, and heard a sudden crunching sound. Looked up, and not a foot away was a peregrine on a branch with its kill. I wish I had a camera then, but I was also more concerned with backing away from those talons. If you think chickens give a wicked stink eye, a falcon gives one that could burn through the soul!

Later pic, butt of some bird of prey who caught a pigeon. I only realized it was there because I noticed the sidewalk was covered in feathers, I looked up, and saw someone enjoying their meal!

 

[1muttsfan]

My mom had a fit one time because a cooper's hawk took a bird at her feeder. I told her she was still feeding the birds, they were just bigger birds.

 

[RaZ]

Yep, too many people here in the 'burbs seem to like the sterility. They all want the same same yew or boxwood hedge under the living room window of their cookie cutter houses. The same dandelion free lawn with a 4-step poisoning each year.

I have found out this past year just how much my neighbors dislike nature. All those killer rabbits, poisonous frogs, rabid squirrels and those darn bats that get tangled in your hair.

That mini-rant felt pretty good.

Anywho...I've been watching this hawk for almost 2 hours now. It has tried to fly away with the kill but can't quite manage so it is feeding right outside the window. I've been able to get some pretty decent pictures.

 

[AngelaB]

So sorry Raz!

 

[AngelaB]

NOVAAMAN: Thanks. I need to have my hubby hold her and her sister so I can get a better look. It might be really dried mud. I need a third hand!

 

[Living the Simple Life]

WooHoo!!! Chickenstock! I am SOOO excited. Looking forward to this will (almost) make winter bearable! Plus, if the stars actually align, I may even be able to bring home some chickens this year....

off to contemplate raffle items, what to bring for the potluck.....so much to plan!!