My perfect hawk deterent

[vermontgal]

About 15 years ago (I was in my 20s), my Mom and I were chased by a turkey about the size of Victor when on our bicycles. This was on an old railroad line that was in the process of becoming a rail-trail - it wasn't officially open yet, but we were exploring. I think we found an alternative route.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Maybe a couple of geese would fare better against that little dog?

 

[CTChickenMom]

I have thought of geese too, they'd be lovely strutting around the lawn. I don't know if chickens can turn the bigger eggs or if geese can be sexed at birth. I don't want any fertile goose eggs!

 

[chickensioux]

CTchickenmom- that is a beautiful hen in your avatar!

 

[verlaj]

This is so interesting to me, but I have read that you should not keep chickens and turkeys together. I think because of a disease the the turkeys can give the chickens (?) - histomoniasis or blackhead, as I recall. What's the story on that?

 

[chickensioux]

Blackhead is a disease that chickens can carry and not be bothered and it can be fatal to turkey. It is caused by the cecal worm. I regularly deworm my girls and keep a very close eye on Victor's stool which will be the first indicator of blackhead. His stools will take on a sulphur color. If you catch blackhead very quickly, you have a better chance of helping and healing. I have had Victor for a year with no problems.

 

[CTChickenMom]

Thank you chickensioux, she is a Partridge Brahma, but alas, not mine. When I was learning the various colors, I took pictures from various places to learn them. She looks so very feminine to me.

I have Golden Penciled Hamburgs, Partridge Cochins (who I think will look similar to my avatar) and Golden Laced Wyandottes (that will be 6 of 12) coming April 1. I have pics on my home page of all the breeds I have coming.

Here is the full pic of Matilda (yup, named my avatar hen,

):

 

[Jeff9118]

I think you are on to somthing. We have always had a problem with hawks but come to think of it for the five years we had our trio of Turkeys I never lost anything to a hawk nor did I see one. Now the turkeys are gone and the hawks are back. A pair of foxes took out the turkeys. They were our pets and very friendly. Maybe I should have got an Osrtrich to protect the Turkeys. I would have if it would have stomped the foxes guts out. My Turkeys and chickens were free ranged but shared a large hen house. I have always wormed and keep antibiotics on hand but never had an issue with illness except for sniffles somtimes in the winter. No one died from it though.

 

[chickensioux]

At first I had goats and hawks were not an issue, when I found another home for the goats the hawks came. My friend offered me Victor to give that a try ('cause no more goats for me) and it has worked great. I lost 2 hens in the short span pre-Victor and none since.

 

[Chicken03]

Thats a great hawk deterient. He's a perfect guard to protect your chickens. He fits right in!