Minnesota!

[Rhetts]

I wish there was some way i could help, but other than offer to lend you my own game camera i don't have much to offer but my listening ears (reading eyes??)

one thing you might look up is some kind of odor repellent. I know they get mixed reviews but it may be worth a try? What i am talking about things like rabbit or deer repellent ( i think they are based of wolf pee odor) except for something that a wolf would avoid. maybe another wolf's smell would deter your rogue wolf? but then again it could also draw it in, so maybe do some research.

finally, Some of the DNR guy's credibility returns now that we know that he didn't think your paw prints were actually fox or bobcat, but yikes that those are out there too!

Thanks for the repellent idea. Definitely something to look into. Yeah, I knew there was a bobcat on the property. Saw it last fall. Hasn't caused any problems yet. As far as fox go, they are everywhere. Only had one attack early this summer and nothing since knock on wood. But there are plenty of farms with plenty o' birds to choose from.

 

[KlopKlop]

Thanks for the repellent idea.  Definitely something to look into.  Yeah, I knew there was a bobcat on the property.  Saw it last fall.  Hasn't caused any problems yet.  As far as fox go, they are everywhere.  Only had one attack early this summer and nothing since knock on wood.  But there are plenty of farms with plenty o' birds to choose from.  

A quick google search showed wolf pee used to repel both bobcats and fox... Nothing for wolves in my quick glance. Not sure how they are naturally co habitating if the pee repellant people are right.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Rhett's thank you for recounting your experience in an objective manner , too --might I say. I think it clarifies quite a few things. I'm sure the latter person you dealt with hears all sorts of strong opinions on the matter and was just being firm . I think sometimes these guys have their own opinions ( like our local guy) but they are not allowed to voice as they take commands from higher ups and ,well, laws also. That being said if you should find your own way to deal with the problem with numbers being up... I sometimes wonder if these boys would look the other way or just not follow up at all with you. But I guess I'd get that thing on camera first whatever it is. Know what your dealing with with certainty and not a "questionable track". See if there is a radio collar involved and go from there...
We're here for you...

 

[KlopKlop]

Rhett's thank you for recounting your experience in an objective manner , too --might I say. I think it clarifies quite a few things. I'm sure the latter person you dealt with hears all sorts of strong opinions on the matter and was just being firm . I think sometimes these guys have their own opinions ( like our local guy) but they are not allowed to voice as they take commands from higher ups and ,well, laws also. That being said if you should find your own way to deal with the problem with numbers being up... I sometimes wonder if these boys would look the other way or just not follow up at all with you. But I guess I'd get that thing on camera first whatever it is. Know what your dealing with with certainty and not a "questionable track". See if there is a radio collar involved and go from there...
We're here for you...

Good point about the collar... We don't want rhetts to become the next "Cecil the lion" type news headline if something were to happen

 

[lalaland]

My chickens are free ranging too. There's something Dead to the south of us though. Turkey Vultures have been circling and the Big Tootsie is giving off his shrill call every 5 minutes.

It's either the molting, donating his food to the girls too much, or the chasing of hens with the long spring and summer. He's been looking skinny to me lately. I should put him on the scale and start up the fermented feed before winter hits. He packs it back on with that stuff.

might want to try the soapy dishwater for water for the flock, not really soapy just a titch in case he is dealing with worms too,....but rereading your post, you do have plenty of reasons to think he is skinny for other reasons!

 

[lalaland]

This doesn't have much to do with recent comments on this thread but I am planning on building a new coop with a large run for foraging purposes and want to ask for some pictures of other Minnesotans coops that have large runs(30' by 40'). I'm not sure how I will build the fencing or if I will have wire over the top or not. I have been looking for examples of this big of a run and can only find blogs about urban coop and runs(so really small) or free ranging.

I use a combo of netting ( a pain in the neck because it loads down with snow, leaves, etc) for about a third of my run, and wire fencing laid on top of a frame of 8' tall 2x4s linked with 14' 2x4's. The sides are up against the run of the fence, where the fence is not that tall I have supplemented wth chicken wire. I have electric wire on the fence, so am not worried about a coon climbing the fence and messing with the chicken wire. The chicken wire is there to keep haws, owls and eagles from a side flight into the run. My run is a large run, a little larger than you about 25'x45'.

The wood frame is super easy , and you could use shorter 2x4's depending on your own height.

The netting is fast, but more temporary. The wood framed "roof" of wire fencing costs more but is more long term, requires no maintenance. I suppose at some point the wood will go but it has been there for a bunch of years and is fine. If it is hard to visualize, think of it as a table with the legs and frame out of wood, and the "table" being wire fencing.

since I built it, I haven't lost a chicken inside the run to anything. Outside, free ranging, have lost two recently in two separate attacks.

 

[Cyrus83]

Well bobcats don't really make trails, they tend to follow other game trails.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

might want to try the soapy dishwater for water for the flock, not really soapy just a titch in case he is dealing with worms too,....but rereading your post, you do have plenty of reasons to think he is skinny for other reasons!

I wormed in July LaLa. That being said I'm intrigued by your method for a more natural worming and I've also thought about redoing this fall. When it comes time... Through the molts and such I may PM you for specific instructions and what to get.

I've busted the new Labrador in their food rations a couple times as well. I'm the chicken food police now with her. Ugh. The fermented feed will help. He just lost his last primary sickle feather yesterday. So his tail is going and his neck is a mass of blood feathers. He's slow getting off the roost the last few mornings. The molt is wearing on my 3 1/2 year old roo. They all got tuna fish yesterday. Just watch the scratch and treats and hopefully speed them through.

On a positive note I have two hens laying. Although I don't know how long one will continue. My BLRW has the bleached feather look and I think she'll be dropping feathers soon.

 

[NikonD2xer]

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.

 

[duluthralphie]

Trying to remember what I read:

Rhett: I am not saying the local warden is a bad guy, I think he is just forced to spew the company line. IMHO there is no ay that is a dog track, a bobcat track or fox. I think Minnie hit it on the nose, by trying to deny it is a wolf, they make things worse and people distrust them more, People meaning me.

It would be quite a coincidence, to have a bobcat or fox kill a bird then have a wolf leave tracks in the same area. I have travelled this road you are on. The people are all nice people. I just do not like the government feeding us BS and telling us it is oatmeal.

BC Hope yours get better, The molt seems to be taking a toll this year, I think it is because of this late hot muggy spell, it is the time of the year we should be getting out first frost not 85degree days..

Nikkon, I will eat my hat if those are a wild duck! I don not know anything about tame ducks except they smell and crap every where. Maybe you could take them to give to an unnamed Online friend

.....


Just try not to roast them in front of the wr

ong people,,,,,,