NY chicken lover!!!!

[horsekeeper]

I lost my first chicken to a predator today. Probably a fox or coyote. There's just a pile of white feathers down by the horse paddock. No blood or body parts and one of the pretty white EEs I got from Tab and Travis a couple of years ago is missing. It's under the trees so I don't believe it was a hawk. The flock has been alarming for weeks over anything they see, so I didn't pay much attention today when they started in. Sometimes one of the hens starts screaming because her favorite nest place is taken and then they all get going.

I wondered why they panicked and darted under the bushes by the house when I walked down to check on the young ones I put outside yesterday. On hot days like this they hang out under the bamboo beside the house and just look at me when I walk by. Usually there is a group dust bathing or sunning along the path and a few follow along to see if there is anything good to eat. Today they were all hidden and peeking out at me. They didn't make a sound, just a lot of rustling as they charged deeper into the bushes. I hope they stay freaked out and stop wandering down the hill where I can't keep an eye on them.

 

[rancher hicks]

I lost my first chicken to a predator today. Probably a fox or coyote. There's just a pile of white feathers down by the horse paddock. No blood or body parts and one of the pretty white EEs I got from Tab and Travis a couple of years ago is missing. It's under the trees so I don't believe it was a hawk. The flock has been alarming for weeks over anything they see, so I didn't pay much attention today when they started in. Sometimes one of the hens starts screaming because her favorite nest place is taken and then they all get going.

I wondered why they panicked and darted under the bushes by the house when I walked down to check on the young ones I put outside yesterday. On hot days like this they hang out under the bamboo beside the house and just look at me when I walk by. Usually there is a group dust bathing or sunning along the path and a few follow along to see if there is anything good to eat. Today they were all hidden and peeking out at me. They didn't make a sound, just a lot of rustling as they charged deeper into the bushes. I hope they stay freaked out and stop wandering down the hill where I can't keep an eye on them.

I am sorry for your loss. You will learn the difference between their alarms. Too it would be good to put up some type of fencing to slow preds down and keep the chickens in. Too you might like to wander around and let the preds know you're about. Get a man to "mark" around the place especially in areas that look like paths preds would take.

I've been clearing out brush and small trees in our woods. Also I've been "lollipoping" bigger trees so there is a clear view. Check for places foxes or coyotes would "den" up in. When I'm out back I sing. Letting anything that out there know I'm there.

Again I'm sorry for your loss.

Rancher

 

[horsekeeper]

Thanks, Rancher. 75% of the flock is fenced and everything is within 20 feet of the house. I asked my grandson to weedwhack what he can and I will be out in heavy clothes and gloves nipping off the bigger stuff to create a buffer. Next door is guarded by my daughter's horse who hates everything canine and chases them out of his paddock and her big lab. Looks like I may have to scrape up the money for some of that electric poultry fence.

 

[FritaFrittata]

Horsekeeper -I'm sorry for your loss.

Rancher Hicks - Can you keep all the broody's together, or will they fight? I have zero experience with broody hens... I wouldn't know what to do if I were in your shoes. Keep us posted!

I have a lead on a few free white leghorn pullets - does anyone else have these? Are they decent layers? They're about a month older than my girls, so not sure how well they'll integrate. Not picking them up 'til after I get the coop finished next weekend, maybe that will help - no one will feel like the coop is "theirs".

Also, more and more worried that Waffles is a 'roo. :/ Can't have roo's here. My son is going to be heartbroken if we have to find a place for him. I promised him an "Easter Egg" chicken if we can't keep Waffles. I guess I'd better start looking for EE pullets, and hope that it helps with the sting of losing his chick.

Tomorrow, planting a mini rosebush I received as a housewarming gift, and transplanting some sage. Cleaning, and taking my pregnant calico up to the vet for a checkup.

I hope everyone had a good weekend.

 

[horsekeeper]

Horsekeeper -I'm sorry for your loss. Thanks, she was an EE and the most adventurous of the flock, completely unaware of her surroundings when she was foraging. I got her from Travis and Tab and she laid a beautiful large blue egg.

Rancher Hicks - Can you keep all the broody's together, or will they fight? I have zero experience with broody hens... I wouldn't know what to do if I were in your shoes. Keep us posted! My broodies lay together in nests and share the chicks with no problems.

I have a lead on a few free white leghorn pullets - does anyone else have these? Are they decent layers? They're about a month older than my girls, so not sure how well they'll integrate. Not picking them up 'til after I get the coop finished next weekend, maybe that will help - no one will feel like the coop is "theirs". Lovely chickens that usually lay a large white egg and lots of them. A little nervous, but not so bad once they get used to you.

Also, more and more worried that Waffles is a 'roo. :/ Can't have roo's here. My son is going to be heartbroken if we have to find a place for him. I promised him an "Easter Egg" chicken if we can't keep Waffles. I guess I'd better start looking for EE pullets, and hope that it helps with the sting of losing his chick. Check with Tab, they usually have some nice EEs.

Tomorrow, planting a mini rosebush I received as a housewarming gift, and transplanting some sage. Cleaning, and taking my pregnant calico up to the vet for a checkup.

I hope everyone had a good weekend.

 

[Stuffedcritter]

Welcome everyone new. Happy belated Birthday -) Sorry to hear about chick and hen losses.
Worked in the garden freaken bugs are wicked,caught the grill on fire, (smoked the skeeters away) getting ready to soak in vinegar/Epsom salt bath. The other half says I need to sand blast my hobbit feet. He pulled two rose bush thorns out of my left foot tonight, trade off for baking him a applesauce cake.

Horsekeeper :I use to get a couple of guys from the gun club to run their hounds when I had problems with foxes and such. Your only about twenty minutes from me.

DRINK LOTS OF FLUIDS and stay cool.

 

[Sweetpea3829]

Well...I know it's early, but I ended up integrating my flock today. I added sixteen 8-9 week old pullets and cockerels in with the three year old laying hens. Many of the chicks that I integrated are large, nearly as big as the three hens. There was some squabbling and the two EE hens immediately went after chicks, but they stopped fairly quickly and retreated to their nest boxes where both proceeded to lay an egg...lol.

The BR hen I have...initially she was very interested in the chicks, but wasn't pecking anybody. I was most worried about her because she's the leader of the flock and was the hen that was beating up one of our other hens pretty bad. She was "nice" for about fifteen minutes or so and then she started laying down the law.

After the three hens laid their eggs, I let them free range outside of the coop and run, separated from the chicks. This evening, I put them back in the run and there didn't seem to be any more squabbling. The chicks were pretty confused come sunset, as they wanted to get back to the other run and their own side of the coop. I had to physically put them all in for the night. But in the end, they all huddled up on one of the lower roosting bars with the three adults on the upper bar. I'll need to make sure I get out there early enough in the morning to open the door for the run.

On the other side of the coop, I left the three silkie chicks and the silver sebright bantam pullet. Last I checked, the silkies were in a pile on the floor of the coop and the sebright was on the low roost...lol.

I had wanted to integrate them all when the chicks were older, but there were just too many on the grow-out side. I was hoping it would be ok because both flocks have been able to see each other for a few weeks now.

Hopefully they continue to behave themselves!

 

[Tough Old Bird]

I lost my first chicken to a predator today. Probably a fox or coyote. There's just a pile of white feathers down by the horse paddock. No blood or body parts and one of the pretty white EEs I got from Tab and Travis a couple of years ago is missing.

Sorry to hear this, Horsekeeper.

I have been really paranoid lately about something getting at my birds. There are some minor weak spots in my pen's defense that may make it unlikely, but not impossible, for something to get into it, and ultimately maybe even the coop. With many daylight hours now -- and more outside time for our birds -- I think it increases the chances that a predator will encounter them. I think it's good that you are taking some additional precautions. Sure hope this was just a random attack...

I have a lead on a few free white leghorn pullets - does anyone else have these? Are they decent layers? They're about a month older than my girls, so not sure how well they'll integrate. Not picking them up 'til after I get the coop finished next weekend, maybe that will help - no one will feel like the coop is "theirs".

Also, more and more worried that Waffles is a 'roo. :/ Can't have roo's here. My son is going to be heartbroken if we have to find a place for him. I promised him an "Easter Egg" chicken if we can't keep Waffles. I guess I'd better start looking for EE pullets, and hope that it helps with the sting of losing his chick.

Tomorrow, planting a mini rosebush I received as a housewarming gift, and transplanting some sage. Cleaning, and taking my pregnant calico up to the vet for a checkup.

I hope everyone had a good weekend.

Hi Frita.....

I heard leghorns lay well, but I have no experience with them. I hope they mingle well with your younger birds. I didn't have such good luck with my different aged pullets. They were about 5 weeks apart and I had to separate them. All but one managed to integrate eventually, but it was quite some time, and one never has been accepted. She gets battered pretty badly. Hope Waffles surprises you and turns out to be a pullet!
(Rancher, do you still offer EE chicks / pullets? I know you had some last year, right?)

Good luck with your brand new chicks, Rancher!!

I'm whipped. It was a very busy day that included giving one dog a long-overdue bath, pruning some out-of-hand trees and prolific wild grape vines, laundry and then vacuuming. Feeling tired and sore. Hubby put up a light on the outside of my coop that can be controlled with a remote control from inside the house! How cool is that?
Stay cool everyone -- going to be a hot week!!! 90F by Tuesday...

TOB

 

[Gramma Chick]

I lost my first chicken to a predator today. Probably a fox or coyote. There's just a pile of white feathers down by the horse paddock. No blood or body parts and one of the pretty white EEs I got from Tab and Travis a couple of years ago is missing.

So Sorry ..poor babies ! I have found when they are all going off ...I call that the chicken alarm ...I better get my butt out there immediately ..
They have probably been seeing it daily ...today it decided to come in closer & snatch a snack .

I have a lead on a few free white leghorn pullets - does anyone else have these? Are they decent layers?
Great Layers !

Originally Posted by Tough Old Bird
I'm whipped. It was a very busy day that included giving one dog a long-overdue bath, pruning some out-of-hand trees and prolific wild grape vines, laundry and then vacuuming. Feeling tired and sore. Hubby put up a light on the outside of my coop that can be controlled with a remote control from inside the house! How cool is that?
Stay cool everyone -- going to be a hot week!!! 90F by Tuesday...

TOB
Cool Light We have a flood light on the back of the house I can turn on & a Motion detector on the front of the coop & the front of the shed ( they are back to back to each other )
I have seen cats & opossums walk through at night

 

[Gramma Chick]

I found that article again....the one I spoke of a Looooooooooooong time ago regarding how long eggs can be stored and how to store them best for maximum freshness.

Here ya go: http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/how-to-store-fresh-eggs-zmaz77ndzgoe.aspx#axzz362npIh5K

thanks for the link