Minnesota!

[Rhetts]

We had another attack last night. Lost 2 roosters. Only a pile of feathers. No carcass again. Game camera was not turned on so no pictures but it was not in the right area of the attack. There are prints galore thanks to the rain. Am I dealing with dog or wolf? Would dogs eat the whole bird? Perhaps a hungry runaway. Should I call the DNR?

I am at a loss still. Kids are so upset and frustrated. I can relate.

 

[duluthralphie]

I am sorry to hear you got hit again.

Here is a website that tells the difference.


http://westernwildlife.org/gray-wolf-outreach-project/signs-of-wolves/

I am not sure this will help. If you have tracks coming or going from the sight, I think if I recall correctly a dog kind of wanders and a wolf walks in a straight line like a bobcat track does also.



Based on my experience with the DNR and wolves I would not make the call,

 

[duluthralphie]

I have no luck!

Those three guineas that refused to go into the pen last night, are still alive today.

Had they been a bird I wanted and care about they would all be dead by an owl.

Maybe if I paint them bright red with glitter, the owls will see them better.

 

[scandiafowl]

Found this photo on one of my chicken websites.

Happy Labor Day, enjoy the fresh air. I know my chickens are.

 

[scandiafowl]

My clan hightailed it into the cool brush this morning.

 

[Coffee 1st]

We had another attack last night. Lost 2 roosters. Only a pile of feathers. No carcass again. Game camera was not turned on so no pictures but it was not in the right area of the attack. There are prints galore thanks to the rain. Am I dealing with dog or wolf? Would dogs eat the whole bird? Perhaps a hungry runaway. Should I call the DNR?

I am at a loss still. Kids are so upset and frustrated. I can relate.

So Sorry to hear this..Do you have pictures of the tracks they made?maybe someone can help identify what it is.. How are they getting them? are they getting in the coop or the run or do you let them free range all the time? sorry i dont remember,,Is there a way you can predator proof? what about some sort of trap? Sorry to hear the kids are upset i know as a parent we dont want them to hurt in any way...

 

[Coffee 1st]

Found this photo on one of my chicken websites.

Happy Labor Day, enjoy the fresh air. I know my chickens are.

Thats a BIGGGG chicken....

 

[Coffee 1st]

I have no luck!

Those three guineas that refused to go into the pen last night, are still alive today.

Had they been a bird I wanted and care about they would all be dead by an owl.

Maybe if I paint them bright red with glitter, the owls will see them better.

I dont understand why you dont like them so much...why did you get them????

 

[cottonlouie]

Sorry to hear about the loss, Rhetts. That's a bummer for sure.

I am new to farming and made yet another mistake. We pulled the wood floor out of the goat shed and laid down some rock and covered it with pit run. The pit run was wet (of course in this weather). I thought it would dry. Haha. I suppose it will at some point. It doesn't stink. Idk.

I also decided not to close the coop window the other night when we had torrential rain blowing from all directions. The coop floor (dirt covered with a little hay) got soaked. I took the hay out. Everything is opened up and with the change in humidity I hope things eventually dry. I used some barn lime, too.

My husband and I are currently "discussing" what type of chicks to order in the spring. I'm leaning toward 15 barred rock and he is leaning toward 10 black star and 5 barred rock. I also like the buff orphingtons but I don't want them to get picked on by my old timers.

My hands feel funny after a little bit of barn lime dust got on them. I hear it's no big deal but I'm a fragile flower in some ways.

 

[Rhetts]

Thanks Ralphie for the link. I am looking it over now. You could send your guineas over here. I seem to be able to reduce flock numbers a bit easier.

Coffee-The first attack they tore open the duck house in 2 spots and took 7 of my ducks. 3 were the ones in my avatar. Nice big fattie pekins. They ate 2 and took the other 5. Last night the door must have blown open from the storm on my run on the chicken coop and 2 of the free range roosters were eaten. One in the chicken run and one by my garden. I have 2 turkeys and 12 geese that are completely free ranged and they have not been attacked yet. My baby chickens were not attacked either night. Which doesn't make sense to me at all. We are trying to make the animals as safe as possible.