Minnesota!

[scandiafowl]

When you have one of those ones who won't stay where they are safe, you are eventually going to lose them if predators lurk.  Sorry you lost her.

@lala  it is better news every day for Goldie.  You have done more for her than I think I would have bothered with.  If she has pin feathers coming in, she should be back to herself (looks) soon.


I am still wondering when a couple of my Cornish hens is going to blow their feathers.  I can tell from the color that they might be doing so soon, but so far they are holding onto them.

Agreed. I could not convince her to lay eggs in the coop. There is one more hen who likes to do walkabouts but I think with the loss of her buddy she'll stick closer to home.

 

[KlopKlop]

Agreed. I could not convince her to lay eggs in the coop. There is one more hen who likes to do walkabouts but I think with the loss of her buddy she'll stick closer to home.

Did I tell you I found a hidden nest today too? 16 eggs. That may be why my hen didn't want to go to roost

 

[Cluckies]

Quote: Ohhhh, that's so sad. just trying to be a good little mama. Heartbreaking.

Scandia, sorry for your loss as well, a terrible day!

 

[lalaland]

I have a NH rooster who had feather mites really bad last week. I pulled him from the other birds and put him in a small coop to clear up after treating him with Adams Flea and Tick spray on the spots that were the worst, then gave him a dose of the topical stuff I started using that is like Frontline but cheaper (Sentry from Fleet Farm).
He has been able to go in and out of the coop at will but has been staying inside for the last few days. Today he was begging to get back in with the girls and looking SO much better. So, I let him in. He went to town on the food, even though he had plenty at his disposal where he was. I will be using him to breed in one pen and a younger cockerel in the other once everyone is back to laying and in their appropriate pens. I have all the breeds split right now, but not down to separation for each male I will be using. With the increase in eggs this week though, that will happen soon. I need to trim back all the fluff on the Cochins too so they will breed better. Such a not fun part of this job

I have two welsummers that I thought had feather mites last year, but when the same thing happened this year I decided it wasn't feather mites. The feathers at the neck looked as if something chewed them in a straight line, from one ear down to the chest, on both sides of the face. I figure it will be repeated this year too - but right now they have gorgeous feathers from their molt.

the quills were still there, just not the feathers....which is why I thought it was feather mites.
I'm guessing you don't have pics of your roo with the feather mites?

I found the carcass of my barred rock. I searched the crib this evening at lockup to make sure nobody else stayed out and found her in the back corner behind our camper. Something drug it back there and gnawed on it. looks like most of the guts are eaten (sorry if that grosses anyone out). SO now I am back to thinking cat or coon, maybe a fox, but i dont know that much about fox habits. I am going to go out and set my traps in a little bit. I wanted to get the girls all locked up before i did so i dont catch any chickens

time to eradicate my predator issues!

Unless you think the fox has a burrow by your camper....I wouldn't vote fox. and normally coons would be hibernating but this winter? who knows?

 

[scandiafowl]

I have two welsummers that I thought had feather mites last year, but when the same thing happened this year I decided it wasn't feather mites.  The feathers at the neck looked as if something chewed them in a straight line, from one ear down to the chest, on both sides of the face.  I figure it will be repeated this year too - but right now they have gorgeous feathers from their molt.  

the quills were still there, just not the feathers....which is why I thought it was feather mites.  
I'm guessing you don't have pics of your roo with the feather mites?


Unless you think the fox has a burrow by your camper....I wouldn't vote fox.  and normally coons would be hibernating but this winter?  who knows?

A fox will probably increase it's range in search for food. We have rabbits living under our coop, as evidenced by a gazillion tracks. I suspect they were working on the rabbits when a hen came around.

 

[scandiafowl]

http://icwdm.org/inspection/Livestock.aspx


International Center for Wildlife Damage Management. Has good information.

 

[Cebarmlds]

Good Morning ALL !!

 

[lalaland]

dang silkies, why does anyone have them? That poor silkie is hanging in the nest box not because she is broody but because she is harassed. And she chases off the little barred rock bantam who would likely be her ally. I finally blocked off the nest boxes so she is hanging in the coop. Poor girl. She has to learn to handle this without hiding, I think.

The others from her group (that came this fall from the family that didn't want to overwinter their spring chicks) are doing fine, even shy violet.

Dang. makes me sad for her.

 

[fjordchick]

Hi, minniechickmama,

Starting a new year and trying to get some buckeyes again. Got two adults from Urchs 2 years ago and they both died within 10 days and took one of ours with them, Thought they were quarantined well but thankfully only one got infected. Won't go back.

We lost three girls this year. Two to old age, 8-9 years, and one to wandering into hungry coyotes.

I would like bring in some buckeyes into the flock.

We live near New Prague, so I think we are close.

Let me know if you have any you would part with or a suggestion of where to find some.

Thanks,

Roberta

 

[Minniechickmama]

The trap is laid with chicken bones/trimmings from making noodle soup today. Off to date night with my lovely wifey and will see what happens!

What are you expecting to happen? You're married! LOL