Minnesota!

[KlopKlop]

Rhetts, I don't know if someone wrote this previously, but if you have a dog or dogs do not put them outside unattended after dark.  They will not be in danger from fox, bobcat or lone coyote, but a group of coyotes or any gray wolf would be a potential problem.  There have been many instances of wolves attacking dogs in the Duluth area and up the N. Shore.  In some cases the owner has witnessed the attack.

This is very true. My friends who live on fall lake have seen a wolf stalking their old cocker spaniel off in the distance on early morning walks on several occasions. They call him in close and bee line for home when that happens.

 

[Cyrus83]

My uncles retriever got killed by a wolf in their backyard in Silver Bay.

 

[Minniechickmama]

Grrr.
Just opened up a Buckeye cockerel that I found dead. My diagnosis is ascites. As soon as I opened his abdomen yellow is squishy gel kind of stuff oozed out. I knew something wasn't right the other day when I pulled him from the group of males he was in. He was constantly being beaten by the bullies, so insure that was part of the problem. For those who don't know what ascites is, it is also called water belly and is brought on by hypertension. There is no treatment. It's a bummer for sure since he was a promising young bird.

 

[Cyrus83]

Grrr.
Just opened up a Buckeye cockerel that I found dead. My diagnosis is ascites. As soon as I opened his abdomen yellow is squishy gel kind of stuff oozed out. I knew something wasn't right the other day when I pulled him from the group of males he was in. He was constantly being beaten by the bullies, so insure that was part of the problem. For those who don't know what ascites is, it is also called water belly and is brought on by hypertension. There is no treatment. It's a bummer for sure since he was a promising young bird.

Isn't ascites hereditary?

 

[Minniechickmama]

Isn't ascites hereditary?

Not that I read, but I think sometimes it can be. Hypertension in humans is, so it would stand to reason that it can be in birds too. But, some people develop it with no family history. I haven't lost any Buckeyes this way, this is the first.

I would like to add that most of the birds I have lost from this sort of thing have been hatchery origin birds.

 

[holm25]

My sister and I managed to make a big batch of spaghetti sauce today. I feel as if I have accomplished something.

And tomorrow is the big day I have been waiting for!! We r making head cheese!!! Yuck I dont like it but its kinda fun to make. I also will probably be butchering roos.

 

[holm25]

My nephew rescued a couple of ducks after momma was hit by a car in Minneapolis. The are raising up to release them so they can fly south. They don't look like any wild duck i have seen. I am thinking it is a Muscovy cross of some kind. Any one have any clue as to what these are ? I am trying to convince them that they will not survive on their own. My aunt mentioned that they may need me to adopt them if they can't as long as I didn't eat them and they find out about it. I said that sounded yummy to me. Opps sounded fine to me, I would take them.

Yep those r muscovys. And they will not make it outside with predators over the winter. If I were u I would adopt them and give them a safe place to live.

 

[duluthralphie]

Not that I read, but I think sometimes it can be. Hypertension in humans is, so it would stand to reason that it can be in birds too. But, some people develop it with no family history. I haven't lost any Buckeyes this way, this is the first.

I would like to add that most of the birds I have lost from this sort of thing have been hatchery origin birds.

My Dr, happens to be a chicken freak also. We were talking about ascites. He said in addition to a heart problem it can be caused by kidney problem. Not that it makes a difference. I say this because like hypertension it could be hereditary. I think ketosis can cause it also, too much protein causing the kidneys to shut down.

I had lots of ascites in my first batch of CX's last year. Since I changed to a starvation diet for the first 6-8 weeks I have not had one case. All the birds have been from Hoover so same genetics.


I would be willing to bet a lone case like yours is hereditary. ( Of course, I could be wrong, which would be a first, being wrong twice in the same year).

 

[Minniechickmama]

I am not assuming one way or another. It is what it is and if I find myself with a considerable number of birds keeling over from it, then I will start getting concerned about genetics or feed. However, at this time, I watch and see what happens with them. The most common reason for loss of Buckeyes is separation of head from body, but inflicted by someone else. I rarely losing any of these ones. All in all, they are a very hardy, very healthy strain. I bought some off a woman in Kentucky a few years ago though and those things were puke. They didn't hold up in the cold, were small, were broody a month after laying as pullets, just the opposite of what should be expected from the breed.

 

[lalaland]

Do you plan on having a secure coop where they will be locked up at night? If so, and predatory birds aren't a concern, a top on your run may not be necessary. My runs are made of 2x4 welded wire fencing 6' high. No top and no hardware cloth. Each night I close the girls up in their Coops after they go to roost. I have yet to lose a bird to predators and I know I have a high coon population in my area. Coons aren't usually an issue during the day unless something really strange happens.

An electric wire and/or a hardware cloth ring and skirt could be used if you wanted extra protection. I will try to snap some photos of my run after work if it isn't storming to show you

I think the odds are good birds would be safe during the day, but.....I've had one hawk kill during the day, one great owl attack before dusk, and I think one of the ones I lost this summer just a few weeks ago was a hawk.

I agree that coons aren't likely during the day, but dogs, fox, coyotes? definitely yes! I agree with minniechickmama not to use chicken wire fencing, but wire fencing works great - as klopklop describes it "welded" wire fencing and is cheaper.