New Jersey

[KelseyBoxer]

Here in SJ we don't have predators like that! Maybe a coyote but not a bear! After a hawk attack a few years ago, my hens seemed dazed and made a sad "mmaaa" kind of sound. The next day the hawk came back. I know it did because green feathers from my Roo were all over the pen. He seemed fine, no injuries. All my hens were there. We covered the run with plastic bird netting after that. I still have that brave GLW roo. He has never shown any agression to any of us people. And he makes beautiful laced babies.

 

[JerseyHen]

Here in SJ we don't have predators like that! Maybe a coyote but not a bear! After a hawk attack a few years ago, my hens seemed dazed and made a sad "mmaaa" kind of sound. The next day the hawk came back. I know it did because green feathers from my Roo were all over the pen. He seemed fine, no injuries. All my hens were there. We covered the run with plastic bird netting after that. I still have that brave GLW roo. He has never shown any agression to any of us people. And he makes beautiful laced babies.

I had 2 gigantic brahma roosters beat up a hawk that decided to land in the run. That day I rescued the hawk. Life is all about balance, I suppose. I have a large netted run as well that we generally use during hawk migration season, but I have not been able to access it since we got socked in with the snow. There is about 3 foot of icy snow drift preventing the gate from swinging (I just couldn't keep up with the shoveling between the drive, walks, and then to attempt to shovel the run was just too much). So, they have been coming out the people door.

I know it will be back today. It was back again yesterday trying to get in. Brazen thing. Still, one of the most impressive animals out there. Brilliant smart, agile, stunning to watch.

I think we have most of the bears in NJ, plus coyote, fox, raccoon, possum, the occasional weasel family type critter, and all of the raptors. I have been free ranging for 5 years and we have had 1 fox attack (got 8 birds in a few hour expanse, it was a pair hunting for kits in the spring) and several hawk attacks (about 5 adult birds and a large number of young chicks). It is sad to lose them, but considering the number of birds we have ranging without any protection for all those years, I think it is an acceptable loss. The birds are healthy and happy for it. Some say "they probably would have been happier not being eaten by a predator", but the exchange is living in a coop and going into a run that looks like the surface of the moon from all the scratching. They are much happier ranging through the fields. There is a lot of cover out there for them too. We also use them to keep the tick population down, so I need them running all over the place.

 

[Kev46]

I'm in point pleasant N J there's a couple of chicken owners around here started last year with 5 hens no roster just added 7 pecan ducks ready to go out in the spring just recently retired so it gives me pleanty to do

 

[JerseyHen]

I'm in point pleasant N J there's a couple of chicken owners around here started last year with 5 hens no roster just added 7 pecan ducks ready to go out in the spring just recently retired so it gives me pleanty to do

Welcome to the flock, Kev46. Do you have a pond for you ducks or are you using a baby pool? I am hoping to add ducks this year, but I am not sure if I am going to dig the pond or just go with something I can dump out and clean from time to time.

 

[KelseyBoxer]

Happy to hear from a new NJ chicken keeper Kev46! I want to get ducks also, but my hubby is gung-ho for turkeys. We got a young hen in the fall and now shes the queen of the yard. She makes alot of different nioses and he is in love with her. I will put the ducks on the back burner for now. He is the coop maker so the turkey coop is up next. Best of luck with your flock of quackers!

 

[KelseyBoxer]

Jerseyhen, I had a fight with my gate just this morning so the girls could free range. The snow crystalized a few inches above the bottom of the gate and I was determined to let those ladies get the opportunity to access free range area. There is no cover on this area, but it is all wooded. There is alot of cover when the leaves are in. Also, we have at least 1 pair of nesting bald eagles in the area. I've never seen them eyeballing my flock, but they circle the wide open fields around my property. Beautiful!

 

[lana10123]

Thanks Melissa! Can i have your aunts contact info?

 

[lana10123]

Im lana btw clifton nj.

 

[neontreefrog5]

Thanks Melissa! Can i have your aunts contact info?

she doesnt sell chicks i regret to inform i just know that a few in her area do, lots and lots of farms around her. have you checked a few sites online? or asked anyone on here if they could send you some hatching eggs?
and my parents live in kearny! whereabouts in clifton may i ask?

 

[lana10123]

she doesnt sell chicks i regret to inform

i just know that a few in her area do, lots and lots of farms around her. have you checked a few sites online? or asked anyone on here if they could send you some hatching eggs?
and my parents live in kearny! whereabouts in clifton may i ask?

Thats fine. I did check online, they seem to be sold out on every breed i want! LUCKILY, I spoke to a tractor supply store in Flanders. They said they would be able to place an order for me. Im in Dutch hill section of clifton. I believe Kearny is about 25 mins away. I would have loved to try hatching, but the incubators are so expensive!! Thanks for the help!