Minnesota!

[jbenson]

Thank you @nordicacres
 I just spoke with him.   Yes they are an older couple and prefer to communicate by phone.  I found out that we won't be getting our order which iis disappointing but he will return our money,  

They may be unable to ship due to current quarantines and prohibitions in place to try to prevent spread of AI. There is almost no shipping out of the state at this point. I don't ship, but I took a break from hatching when things with AI started to heat up in this state. Hoping for hot weather to clear it out.

 

[AmericanKraut]

They may be unable to ship due to current quarantines and prohibitions in place to try to prevent spread of AI. There is almost no shipping out of the state at this point. I don't ship, but I took a break from hatching when things with AI started to heat up in this state. Hoping for hot weather to clear it out.

I hadn't heard that update. Good to know and makes sense. I hope all this AI stuff clears up soon.

 

[AmericanKraut]

Welcome @The BlanchRanch!

 

[holm25]

Thank you @nordicacres
 I just spoke with him.   Yes they are an older couple and prefer to communicate by phone.  I found out that we won't be getting our order which iis disappointing but he will return our money,  

I'm sorry!!

 

[Minniechickmama]

Do you folks know what Catbirds look like? I have seen them very seldomly, but I hear them in our trees and bushes a lot. Well, yesterday morning while I was turning eggs in the big 'bator, and checking on my started garden plants, I heard a something and turned to see a Catbird had flown into the house with our 3 dogs in pursuit! It must have gone on the porch first, then gotten chased in by the dogs. So, it made its way into our dining room and was flying back and forth between two rooms but keeping as high as it could get rather than coming down to go out a window or door. Finally, after beating the heck out if itself, it did go into the kitchen and rested on top of the cupboards a few seconds, then flew into the family room, straight into a window where it knocked itself for a loop and fell on the floor. I ran over and grabbed it and opened the window and tossed it down the few feet to the ground, where it say for a few seconds then flew off.


That was the fun news.
Now, the bad news...
Weasel returned last night. I lost another 10 birds. It didn't go to the pens where I had the traps, but a different one. So, tonight, i have put out 2 more traps and used the dead birds to bait them with some nice bloody pieces to get their attention. If I don't get that thing killed soon, I might as well kiss my birds goodbye, because I can't keep losing all these 10-12 at a time. I did mow , leaving strips to hopefully direct it/them to where the traps are set.

 

[The BlanchRanch]

Thank you AmericanKraut!! Great group of people here!

 

[The BlanchRanch]

So sorry to hear that, Minniechickmama. Hope you get that weasel. I don't know what i would do if i lost all those chickens.

 

[nordicacres]

Nooooo, that is so sad How is it getting in your pens?

 

[AmericanKraut]

@Minniechickmama the bird story, imagined in my head play-by-play with the dogs is hilarious!

The weasel, awful!! I'm so so sorry. Especially after the lost hatches. How sad to come out and see so many dead hens. I can't understand why one isn't enough for one weasel. Sometimes when I've lifted my compost bin lid I've seen one quick spin and a swirl and dart down the side like a snake, so fast I barely can see it. Makes me nervous after hearing your story. I hope tomorrow there's good news of clucking chicks and a never-more weasel.

 

[lalaland]

Bears, ack! I love Northern MN, but would hate to deal with even more predators.

The ticks are killing me. I find one on someone every day. How many Guineas do you think it would take to clean up 6 1/2 acres? I really, really hate ticks and spiders. Ugh.

Do you folks know what Catbirds look like? I have seen them very seldomly, but I hear them in our trees and bushes a lot. Well, yesterday morning while I was turning eggs in the big 'bator, and checking on my started garden plants, I heard a something and turned to see a Catbird had flown into the house with our 3 dogs in pursuit! It must have gone on the porch first, then gotten chased in by the dogs. So, it made its way into our dining room and was flying back and forth between two rooms but keeping as high as it could get rather than coming down to go out a window or door. Finally, after beating the heck out if itself, it did go into the kitchen and rested on top of the cupboards a few seconds, then flew into the family room, straight into a window where it knocked itself for a loop and fell on the floor. I ran over and grabbed it and opened the window and tossed it down the few feet to the ground, where it say for a few seconds then flew off.


That was the fun news.
Now, the bad news...
Weasel returned last night. I lost another 10 birds. It didn't go to the pens where I had the traps, but a different one. So, tonight, i have put out 2 more traps and used the dead birds to bait them with some nice bloody pieces to get their attention. If I don't get that thing killed soon, I might as well kiss my birds goodbye, because I can't keep losing all these 10-12 at a time. I did mow , leaving strips to hopefully direct it/them to where the traps are set.

oh this is awful. I'm so sorry and I wish I had some helpful advice but I don't.


have you heard about that Minnesota born device called predator guard? It has come way down in price. It is basically a lit red bulb which supposedly deters all kinds of predators who stay away thinking they are seeing another predator. I always wondered if red xmas lights could accomplish the same thing.

Or,...electric wire on the fence?

I can't imagine trying to make a coop weasel safe. Gives me the willies everytime I read about yours because I know a weasel could easily get into my coops.