NY chicken lover!!!!

[boskelli1571]

I'm sure it won't go after the chickens cuz he/she was sticking her/his head out and that's how I saw him. I'm really concerned about disease and rabies.

I haven't seen any rabbits in months. I used to see at least one in the evening. Once there were two and the chickens were chasing them around the yard. I've also see bunnies in the past too. None this year.

There is a cat that come around to mouse. So perhaps it's gotten the rabbits.

Rabbits aren't a 'rabies vector species' - meaning they don't carry the disease. If the cat is a real good mouser, it may well have gotten the baby rabbits, encouraging the adults to move on.. if you're a good shot, rabbit pie is very tasty

 

[miquwid]

Sorry I'm not on as much I miss talking to you guys You all great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have my first broody hen she is an Amber Sex Link. She decided to lay some eggs in my rabbit hutch that needed to be fixed and then decided to sit on them. So we scrambled like crazy to fix it up around her broody growling self before night fall. We got it all set. I put food and water in there for her otherwise she would have to climb fences to get back to the coop and run to get food and water. This was yesterday she has not moved off those eggs since and she growls at us every time we check. She actually through a hissy fit yesterday when we got too close. I love her timing, I was counting on getting rabbits and found another rabbit hutch on craigslist and was going to put it in that area but not anymore LOL. So now that she took over my rabbit yard I guess I will hold off on that.

I hope that I am doing the right thing for her. Let me know if there is anything I can do to make her more comfortable.

In the picture the hutch has two separate compartments so she is setting outside the nesting area.

Thanks

 

[miquwid]

Welcome PLMRSIX!!

 

[horsekeeper]

So. When I first got chickens there was a ground hog living under my coop. I kept "marking" it's hole and it went away (at least that's why I think it left), but a rabbit lived there for a while after that.

Anyhow, Now I have another Groundhog living under there. I'd seen it in the yard but didn't know it was back under the coop.

Is this new resident a danger to my chickens? I do have a have a heart trap but what would I use as bait?

Any ideas on this matter?

It is a vegetarian and will not bother the chickens. However, they can climb and it may raise havoc with your garden even with raised beds. If you accidentally corner it they have a nasty bite (think giant squirrel teeth). Their borrowing can undermine structures and provide a way in for predators. The good news is that it will snooze all winter.

The only way I ever trapped one was with a leg trap at the entrance to the burrow. If you are not prepared to shoot it or gas it, you may have a tough time removing it.

 

[Gramma Chick]

They seem bored not bird!

They probably are bored ...give them something to do ..put in some dirt or grass or sunflower seeds or a few corn cobs in there..
The jumping at each other is them establishing their pecking order ...thats how it starts

 

[Gramma Chick]

Hi all,
My name is Lisa. I'm in Binghamton, NY. My family and I are in the beginning stages of adding chickens to our home. I'm so excited! I've been lurking and absorbing all the amazing advice this forum has to offer.

Welcome ! It is a wonderful addiction ....LOL...I want one of every color

 

[Gramma Chick]

Sorry I'm not on as much I miss talking to you guys You all great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have my first broody hen she is an Amber Sex Link. She decided to lay some eggs in my rabbit hutch that needed to be fixed and then decided to sit on them. So we scrambled like crazy to fix it up around her broody growling self before night fall. We got it all set. I put food and water in there for her otherwise she would have to climb fences to get back to the coop and run to get food and water. This was yesterday she has not moved off those eggs since and she growls at us every time we check. She actually through a hissy fit yesterday when we got too close. I love her timing, I was counting on getting rabbits and found another rabbit hutch on craigslist and was going to put it in that area but not anymore LOL. So now that she took over my rabbit yard I guess I will hold off on that.

I hope that I am doing the right thing for her. Let me know if there is anything I can do to make her more comfortable.

In the picture the hutch has two separate compartments so she is setting outside the nesting area.

Thanks

Howdy Stranger ! Congratulations ! it looks good
Just Check & make sure she is eating ...if she isnt throw in some sunflower seeds ..
Also write down on the calendar they day she started so you know when they might hatch or if she gets off too soon , etc .
New ones dont always complete 21 or more days

 

[Gramma Chick]

Well it is that time again ...Anyone want to meet up at the state fair ?
I havent planned a day yet ...any one have a day or 2 planned ?

 

[Gramma Chick]

So does anyone think this little chickie....1 month old ...gets enough to eat ?
Look at the breast / crop on this one

 

[Glasshen]

Miquid, that hutch looks very comfy. I wish that my broody would choose an appropriate location like that. She is in the favorite nest box, for the second time. I moved her to a nice sized cage to keep the others out, but she was off the eggs for a while, they felt cold when I checked in the middle of the night. Then while I was away, my husband said she was rampaging around in there, so he let her out, but she went back to the nest box, and started on new eggs. The new eggs keep getting cracks, so we are getting down in numbers, am considering moving her again, but not today, maybe tomorrow.

It would be nice to have a row of little structures to house all the different groups that have required separation. I am picturing miniature cottages, like in the Adirondacks a long time ago.

Welcome, new folks.