my very own micro farm

[attimus]

I have to kill something now. Just got back from a dump run and my fiance informs me that our australorp is missing. Along with a big pile and trail of feathers. It happened sometime early this morning and I will now Be waiting for some creature to come back and try again. Rosco was also given his freedom a bit early considering.

 

[aart]

RutRoh....Bummer!!

Better lock them all up safe!!
Whatever took it will be back.

Was bird taken while free ranging?

 

[nayeli]

I'm sorry!

 

[attimus]

Pretty sure it was a coyote. I'll be up early in the morning when they are just coming out to see if anything is lurking around. Yes they free range entirely, it was a choice we made and understood that this was something that might happen. However this happened outside their open run and sleeping area when it happened and I can't justify keeping them penned up all the time or under my direct supervision for only a few hours a day. On the brighter side of things Rosco is taking to being outside with the rest of the ladies well. Already managed to do his business with 3 of the 6 so baby chicks are ahead. Also turned some of my frustration into motivation and got some of the lower foundation piled up for the additions to the pond.

 

[darina]

Sorry about your loss. I hope Rosco can do a good job of guarding and alerting his new flock.

And whoa! That pond is huge! Awesome.

 

[attimus]

Thanks for the thoughts everyone. This has been the first of very many early mornings for me standing guard so to speak. Rosco looks like he's going to fit in here just fine and seems very diligent about keeping an eye on the flock. Thinking about retro fitting the anterior garden

to give these girls some space without being exposed until I deal with the predator or predators. Their existing run opens out into this area from about 15' to the right of this picture.
Still have a lot to go on the pond but that wasn't bad for a couple hours of angry digging. There's a few hundred pounds of rock buried underneath all that as well.

 

[attimus]

So up early again today I feel this is going to become a trend. Watched the girls with Rosco by my side for a bit then went to work on the extension for the pond. Looks like I got it all pretty level today and that will be the last of it until I'm ready to concrete definitely need warmer days for that. Birds fencing is getting a little more solidarity on the back of the house today and as I type this I can hear a screech owl flying over head. Early mornings mean early bed. Dinner and good night to you all.

 

[darina]

Is a screech owl big enough to be the predator that attacked your hen? It seems like an Australorp would be too big for a bird on the wing. Anyway, I hope you get some good sleep. I know I'm having trouble in that area...

 

[attimus]

The drag tracks from the incident would indicate a coyote or fox. I've seen coyote on the property more than fox so... I'm actually really enjoying dark 30 in the morning so this might work out.

 

[attimus]

Little colder this morning then yesterday. Still waiting for the sun to come up over the ridge and melt of the bits of frost that are scattered. The chickens are being funny. Rosco and the 4 he consistently is mating with have all come outside while the last two took an extra 20 mins just to wake up. At this point he's managed to get all of them but dolly the BO who is still molting. Pretty sure the kelso started laying again yesterday to so that's exciting. She's still not to into the whole idea of Rosco yet but he's managed. Should make for some interesting chicks. Back to observing. Here's some quick early morning picks.