New Mexico

[Tikkijane]

So...... anyone have problems with chicks getting thrown around in the wind? I'd hate to have all my kids end up next door, lol. Having visions of a few good gusts and winding up with birds everywhere but where they ought to be.

At this point, I am thinking we'll keep them in when the wind is bad so at least they will be contained if they get blown around too much.

 

[WriterofWords]

I've had a lot of the babies blown around,, I put them in a small chain link dog kennel.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello everyone in New Mexico! I have been on this site for a few months but never posted here in this section. I am from the south central mountains near Ruidoso and am new to chickens. I am enjoying BYC and all of you are so informative!

I am wondering about rattlesnakes and how many of you have had issues with them. I also keep quail and last year I caught a Rock Rattler in their aviary. I nearly stepped on it, but fortunately all the quail were inquisitively looking at "something". So it qued me in. I have since fixed the problem. I snaked proofed my chicken run with 1/4 inch hardware cloth, 4 foot high and buried deep along the bottom. But I still worry about it.

Any Rattlers yet this year in your territory?

 

[Yolkmountain]

Well, I have been up every night from about 3 till 6 keeping watch over my flock. There is a trap for the bear in my yard but I fear the bear will want a good chicken dinner before settling down for dessert and a nap. So the result so far as been the only cranky bear here is the one that lives in the house...

 

[Yolkmountain]

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glad to have you

Not alot of problems with snakes where I am thankfully!

 

[dak]

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Hmmm, you'd think it would have been back for another round of chicken mcnuggets by now.

Can you move your hens to a safe place and leave a token sacrificial rooster to tempt it?

 

[Yolkmountain]

The Game warden says each bear in this area has a range of about 67 miles it calls home. The bear is being trapped because it is tearing into buildings. The coops are solidly built with slide latches to lock them up at night. Mr. Bear just ripped the door off. The only place more secure than their coops would be my closet (since it has no exterior walls) but there is not enough room for all of them (and my shoes...lol shhhhh). Hopefully this will be over soon... I just dont feel right leaving my feathered family to face the bear alone...

This is what the coop looked like before the run was built and the bear modifications!

 

[WriterofWords]

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I've had a few snakes already, I'm South of you about 85 miles. I'm up your way quite often, I hope the fires haven't affected you.

 

[TwoCrows]

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I've had a few snakes already, I'm South of you about 85 miles. I'm up your way quite often, I hope the fires haven't affected you.

Wow, Chaparral! I have driven thru your territory on my way to El Paso many times. I miss the desert life. This mountain living is way to cold for me.

The recent White fire in Ruidoso Downs came within 5 miles of us. (We are located about 15 miles north of Ruidoso, and east of Alto) We saw the smoke billow for days and the air really reeked of it. Fortunately we didn't have to evacuate. I don't know of any shelter that would take all our pets and livestock!!

 

[TwoCrows]

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I am so sorry to hear about your recent bear attack. Down here in the south central mountains we get bears moseying thru here occasionally and I have seen bear prints on one of the walls of a barn that contains all my feed. Must smell the grain and want in. Fortunately I have never had any attacks but I do worry about them.

I hope you are able to get all this resolved and get back to sleeping and keeping your chickens safe.