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natsimms

natsimms

In the Brooder
Joined
Nov 26, 2017
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Location
Macclenny, FL
I have recently started keeping some chickens. I started with 4 chicks (Leghorn, Black Sex Link, Ira Brown, and an EE). We moved to a new home where I inherited 5 RIRs. I have recently lost 3 to predators and I was given a RIR rooster. I joined here to learn some more about the rooster and breeding the chickens. Im looking forward to the education—thanks for welcoming me!
 
Hello and welcome to BYC - thanks for joining us.

Here’s a link to the Articles section - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/ There you’ll find lots of information on almost every aspect of keeping chickens - from coop building ideas, to incubating eggs.

There’s a link on the page above to the Learning Centre - it’s a great resource. If you have a specific topic in mind, just type it in the search box - there's a wealth of information on past and present threads.

Each week, various topics are discussed, which can also be a great resource - https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archive

You may wish to consider joining your state thread as it will put you in touch with other BYC members in your area - Find Your State Thread

Including your general location, under your avatar will help other members to give the best advice possible for any future input / questions that you may have.

All the best

Pork Pie
 
G’Day from down under natsimms :frow Welcome!

I am so sorry to hear of your loss :( The topic of the week that Pork Pie gave you a link to has a previous discussion on dealing with predators you might find helpful/interesting.

I do hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.

If you would like to share pictures and stories of your flock, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out ;)
 
natsimms said:
I have recently started keeping some chickens. I started with 4 chicks (Leghorn, Black Sex Link, Ira Brown, and an EE). We moved to a new home where I inherited 5 RIRs. I have recently lost 3 to predators and I was given a RIR rooster. I joined here to learn some more about the rooster and breeding the chickens. Im looking forward to the education—thanks for welcoming me!
Click to expand...

Welcome!
What type of predator? At night? I remember a survey a while back & I think, Dog was #1 predator & Racoon #2. Here in North Texas, #3 would be Hawks/Owls.
 
Hamiam said:
Welcome!
What type of predator? At night? I remember a survey a while back & I think, Dog was #1 predator & Racoon #2. Here in North Texas, #3 would be Hawks/Owls.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what the predator was. The coop is in a wooded area so most of the time the chickens were free ranging well under cover. The first two died deep enough under some brush that I am pretty sure it wasn't a hawk or other sort of flying predator. Also, for these two chickens I only saw feathers; no body. So whatever it was that ate these chickens either carried it a ways off or ate the whole thing.

The most recent bird was decapitated right next to our road. This was unlike the other two because the rest of the body was there. It was just missing a head (the body was a little mutilated, but still there). I'm not sure what killed this last chicken, but I am thinking it was something different than the animal that killed the first two.

At this point I've decided to keep all the birds in their cage for a while. Before this little killing spree I had let them free range in the day and locked them up at night. If I can't find the predator after a few weeks, I may start letting them try to head back out. Especially now that I have a rooster that may help protect them and alert me.
 
natsimms said:
I'm not sure what the predator was. The coop is in a wooded area so most of the time the chickens were free ranging well under cover. The first two died deep enough under some brush that I am pretty sure it wasn't a hawk or other sort of flying predator. Also, for these two chickens I only saw feathers; no body. So whatever it was that ate these chickens either carried it a ways off or ate the whole thing.

The most recent bird was decapitated right next to our road. This was unlike the other two because the rest of the body was there. It was just missing a head (the body was a little mutilated, but still there). I'm not sure what killed this last chicken, but I am thinking it was something different than the animal that killed the first two.

At this point I've decided to keep all the birds in their cage for a while. Before this little killing spree I had let them free range in the day and locked them up at night. If I can't find the predator after a few weeks, I may start letting them try to head back out. Especially now that I have a rooster that may help protect them and alert me.
Click to expand...
The last one may have been killed by a hawk. The others may have been carried off by a coyote, fox or dog. A game camera might help you solve the mystery. Like you, I lock mine up at night. They free range on 1/4 wooded acre, fenced with small animal fence. They did have 4 acres (only fenced with barb wire) but after 2 neighbor's dogs attacked last summer, we put up the small animal fence around all 4 acres & limited the chickens area. It's still risky, knowing that coyotes or dogs could dig under the fence. With the better fence, our cattle dog has more freedom & hopefully keeps stray dogs & coyotes away. I do have a dog kennel around my coop for the days when I'm not home & want to decrease the risk further. It's expensive, but I'm still considering electric poultry netting.
I was able to talk with my neighbor & I feel confident the dogs will not return. I'm concerned your predator will keep returning for another free meal. A live trap might be a good idea.
 
Hi and welcome to BYC :frow We're so happy you've decided to join us:ya So sorry for your losses:hugs Mine free range inside portable electric fence from Preimer 1 during the day and get locked up at night. And they have plenty of hiding places in the pasture.
 

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