New Mexico

[Junkmanme]

Quote:
RFLOL! Actually, I DID go for chickens and figured I may as well get the other stuff done too! LOL

I am 2 hours from everywhere, I go to Albuquerque or Farmington for groceries, vet, barrel races, etc. There is a small town (Cuba) 30 miles away that has gas, expensive groceries, and a clinic (where I work).

Ha-Ha !!! (Got caught, didn't ya !!! )

ha-ha,

-Junkmanme-

(tough to fool an old man who's raised 3 daughters !!! Ha-Ha !!! )

 

[WriterofWords]

I am having serious hawk problems down here in the South! I have three massive hawks hanging around wanting chicken dinner. Another friend has a couple of hawks and a small eagle hanging around.

 

[blaundee]

Quote:
Um.... do you know the "3 S's" ?

 

[Junkmanme]

Quote:
Mixed emotions here.....

I've ALWAYS enjoyed "Bird-Hunting" !!! But, I'm fond of Hawks, Eagles, Owls, and other "Raptor-type" birds that are Majestic and keep the carrion cleaned-up. So...I won't shoot those. (MOST are "protected" anyway...I think.)

I've lost 2 chickens to predators this past year.....I think BOTH times that it was a LARGE OWL that I've seen around here a bit....although we have plenty of Hawks and some Eagles, too.

About the ONLY thing to do...would be cover the "run" with some netting.......Can't do that with my "set-up"...and you probably can't either.

Get a Bigger and MEANER Rooster, I guess......

????
-Junkmanme-

 

[blaundee]

I read an article in the Backyard Poultry mag that said to string twine or wire or even surveyor's tape across the top of the pen in a grid pattern- about 1' squares, all across the top. I haven't tried this, but it worked for them. I'm just going to get some poultry netting and make a big ol teepee to keep them out.


BTW- I hate shooting anything. I hate death period. But it is the only thing that I've ever seen work very well unless your pen is covered and you do NOT let your birds free range.

 

[WriterofWords]

I can't afford to rebuild with a covered run. As anyone will tell you I hate to kill anything and these guys are just looking for a meal. BUT,, my chickens deserve to live too and I just lost 17 chickens and ducks to a midnight raid on my coop a couple of months ago.

 

[Junkmanme]

My chicken area is such that covering with netting is impractical. I suppose a small area could be done that way to give the chickens a place to "hide"....IF Ole "Oro Blanco de Gallo" (head rooster) could give them enough WARNING of a nearby predator. (There's no doubt he would FIGHT a Hawk, Owl, or Eagle IF he had a chance....(He fights ME ! )

But, I don't think Ole "Oro Blanco" could whup a Hawk......He ain't as BIG as Ole "Foghorn Leghorn" !!! and the Hawks around here are bigger than little ole "chicken-hawks".....

But I got, I say, I gotta show the little egghead I
still got a couple of tricks up my sleeve.
Smart boy, got a mind like a steel trap...full of mice.

Ha-Ha !!!
-Junkmanme-

 

[blaundee]

Quote:

 

[blaundee]

Poor chickies... everyone likes how they taste! It must stink to be what everyone likes to eat!!!

 

[Junkmanme]

Yep. I reckon it's a lot like a Small Businessman feels when he's dealing with the Gub-Mint.

-Junkmanme-