NY chicken lover!!!!

[Tough Old Bird]

Sorry about your youngster being lost to a hawk, Rancher. Did you see it happen? How awful.

When the husband repeatedly asks why our run has to be covered, I keep reminding him of the many hawks that visit our backyard already to pick off birds at the feeders. They're already here. To add chickens to their menu is not in my future plans. I know a covered run is not feasible for everyone, especially large flock owners. Having only a small coop and flock planned, this will work for me. Just have to keep reminding hubby it's necessary!

TOB

 

[Adoravachick]

Rancher, I am so sorry about your loss. Its just terrible.

 

[Adoravachick]

I candled Julia's eggs last night, I should be able to see some veins by now....day 5. I may give it until Sunday and if I don't see anything, I'll toss them. The only thing that I can think of is that in the beginning, she wasn't completely committed to keeping the eggs warm. I have noticed her temperment has changed, she's a broody grump now. My question is, I have eggs in the incubator now that are due to hatch in 13 days, can I give Julia those eggs to set or should I just give her completely new eggs? I was thinking thay maybe I could start the eggs in the incubator for 5 days, to see what develops, and then give her the eggs that have started embryos? This is my first broody's thoughts and comments are welcome.

 

[rancher hicks]

Gramma - she was not my only maran but the daughter of the ones I have.

TOB, yes a covered run is good if you need to lock them up. Even if you don't cover it in the winter.

I didn't let the young ones out this am, but did the older. They are bigger and this bird is not as big.

However I made an appoint to go out every so often and it was back. The birds had crowded around their door. I scared it off but this time it did not hang around. I suspect it was looking for it's meal from yesterday.

I've plans to buy a pellet gun so I can practice my aim. Not to shoot the bird but close to it on the branch and scare it away if it comes back.

As for chicks I can't say when I'll have any to give away, maybe the end of march. I'm just going to load up the incubator with eggs I want and those I don't. I am not running a half full incubator. The marans are what I'm aiming for, but so far there are only 5 eggs to put in. I will be more watchful and mindful this time around.

I did receive an e-mail from some one who bought eggs and her marans too, were difficult. I think it's the breed line. Some times folks in their haste to multiply their flock breed to close and hatch eggs from birds too young. I don't know if all these were from GF line, but when chicks sell for $49 each you can't afford to many. At least I can't.

Pharm - You'll want to note that none of the four chicks I have, have crooked toes. All seem nice, though one has noticable feathering on it's legs already and it looks to be two roos and two hens. Judging from the leg size. Well shall see.

 

[SunnysideupstateNY]

Apparently it is breeding season for coyotes?
We has seen and heard them in our yard in in the field across from the house every day for the past week. We have a couple big ones running around, no that I have seen where they cut through the yard I'm convinced they are what got my 3 I lost this summer.

The one we saw next to the coop the other morning looked like the size of a German Shepard, and the thing was mangy. We couldn't get the gun out fast enough to put it out of its misery, darn things are smart.
On the upside, someone wanted some eggs for hatching for their grandkids. Princesschick, we're gonna have grandchicks!!!

 

[rancher hicks]

Apparently it is breeding season for coyotes?
We has seen and heard them in our yard in in the field across from the house every day for the past week. We have a couple big ones running around, no that I have seen where they cut through the yard I'm convinced they are what got my 3 I lost this summer.

The one we saw next to the coop the other morning looked like the size of a German Shepard, and the thing was mangy. We couldn't get the gun out fast enough to put it out of its misery, darn things are smart.
On the upside, someone wanted some eggs for hatching for their grandkids. Princesschick, we're gonna have grandchicks!!!

Do you have anyone in the area who hunt coyote? I saw an ad on CL last year looking for either some one to come and kill them or an offer to come and kill them.

I've not heard nor seen any, though I have a friends who's husband killed on in their yard.

Keep us posted. Where in Upstate NY are you?

 

[stonykill]

Apparently it is breeding season for coyotes?
We has seen and heard them in our yard in in the field across from the house every day for the past week. We have a couple big ones running around, no that I have seen where they cut through the yard I'm convinced they are what got my 3 I lost this summer.

The one we saw next to the coop the other morning looked like the size of a German Shepard, and the thing was mangy. We couldn't get the gun out fast enough to put it out of its misery, darn things are smart.
On the upside, someone wanted some eggs for hatching for their grandkids. Princesschick, we're gonna have grandchicks!!!

there is a breeding season, a trapping season and a hunting season on coyotes. I have a guy trapping them on my land this winter. The horse farm neighbors , country neighbors, 3/4 of a mile away do all of there farm chores with a gun in hand and kill every coyote they see. As coyotes 2 years ago killed 50 of their foul. Ducks, geese, turkeys, guinneas, and chickens.

 

[rancher hicks]

with the price of food, folks can't nor should they allow critters to steal it. If it's a coyote or me, he loses.

 

[Tough Old Bird]

I bumped into an old acquaintance who recently hatched a handful of eggs for herself (not sure of breed). She told me she got 3 or 4 roos and just 1 pullet. She wanted to give me a roo, but I respectfully declined.

Maybe it's just me, but it seems I hear this a lot from folks who hatch. Is there some truth to it that a higher percentage of chicks hatched are roos?

TOB

 

[rancher hicks]

I've heard lots of theories, but I figure it's all in the Lords hands. It's said it's usually 50/50, but I've had 5 to 1 roosters once. Guess the good Lord expects folks need meat so if all were pullets we'd starve.

I nearly forgot.

So I go out to do my check for the hawk/falcon and I see one of the BR's is missing. Now I know I didn't let them out so where did she go? I look UNDER the nest box and there she is. I figure she's laying an egg. Well I got out later and check and there are SEVEN eggs under there. I don't know when they got laid but I marked them all for the incubator.

I knew the SLW's were laying as they use another box. Which by the way is too small, but they manage to get it in there somehow. I will take it out eventually.