NY chicken lover!!!!

[Tough Old Bird]

Rancher---dont get down. I had a hawk hanging around last fall looking for an easy meal. I kept my cheeps locked up for a couple of weeks in their coop/run and freeranged them only when i was out there. it finally gave up and went away.

Pharm,

This is exactly what experts advise you to do with your bird feeders (taking them in) when you've got a raptor that's set up your yard as a buffet bar. It's frustrating and takes some time and patience, but it does help. Obviously, it's not a permanent solution, but it should help as you've noticed.

Just make their lives as unpleasant as possible when they are checking things out and you happen to be outside. (Hint: you can't be shy about the neighbors questioning your sanity: give it your all, whooping yells and windmilling arms.)

TOB

 

[happyhensny]

I was surveying my property today, looking for a dry spot to put another coop.   I'm not sure I can talk Ray into it tho.   We don't eat the eggs we have and the customers don't seem to be coming back....maybe when the weather warms up some?

I have no problem giving chicks away for free or a buck each.  But I wouldn't want to give them all away and my coops are already past capasity ....so no incubator for me.  (BUT I have 4 classrooms attempting to hatch a dozen each.  LOL)

We may be building a house this year. And unfortunately the chick and goat barns are going to be in a odd location to where the new house may be. Facing the wrong way, doors on the "back" of the buildings. Think long and hard before you build another building. I like the design of my chick shed. It still works well a few years later.

Aw Rancher I'm sorry,  Hope this cheers you up     :
Turkey Dubstep

I've seen that turkey video before. Cracks me up.

Rancher. I am sorry about the set-up problems. We use chain llink dog kennel panels for the runs. I actually drive around a lot and look in people's back yards for them set up and looking unused. Stop by make an offer. No more then $75 for a complete setup. One I found free on the side of the road.

 

[rancher hicks]

Random fun link of the day!

http://gawker.com/5984348/two-minutes-of-nothing-but-goats-yelling-like-humans

I need a pair of Yelling goats to keep hawks away? DW and the neighbors will never go for it.

 

[rancher hicks]

Rancher, forgive me if I am being too forward, but what is your budget for e-fencing? We did ours for under $150 and while that's no amount to scoff at (I make less than min. wage so I understand tight finances), it has proven very effective against everything from little critters to a bear. I'd hate to see you get out of chickens because of predators, I can see you clearly enjoy keeping them and care for your birds. Do you sell your eggs locally at all? That sounds like a random question but I am brainstorming.

It's not foxes nor bears I have trouble with it's the flying predators. If I were to electrify things I'd need to cover nearly and acre. The area where the hawk attacked is fenced in.

 

[rancher hicks]

We may be building a house this year. And unfortunately the chick and goat barns are going to be in a odd location to where the new house may be. Facing the wrong way, doors on the "back" of the buildings. Think long and hard before you build another building. I like the design of my chick shed. It still works well a few years later.
I've seen that turkey video before. Cracks me up.

Rancher. I am sorry about the set-up problems. We use chain llink dog kennel panels for the runs. I actually drive around a lot and look in people's back yards for them set up and looking unused. Stop by make an offer. No more then $75 for a complete setup. One I found free on the side of the road.

My yard is fenced in with stockade and chain link. What can one do about aerial predators? As previous stated those yelling goats would probably do the trick.

 

[Tough Old Bird]

My yard is fenced in with stockade and chain link. What can one do about aerial predators? As previous stated those yelling goats would probably do the trick.

Rancher,

Look what I found based on an idea I had.

Peafowl are a real option, supposedly, as is a well-trained dog of certain breeding.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/304058/livestock-guarding-dogs-to-protect-flock

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/628005/best-guard-animal-against-hawks-besides-dogs

http://www.anatoliandog.org/poultry.htm
(My brother was considering one of these dogs; good article, even if you're not particularly interested, as it relates directly to free-range poultry protection.)


Just some food for thought, Rancher.

You'll think of something, don't worry. You seem very industrious and determined!

TOB

 

[rancher hicks]

Rancher,

Look what I found based on an idea I had:


https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/304058/livestock-guarding-dogs-to-protect-flock

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/628005/best-guard-animal-against-hawks-besides-dogs


Peafowl look to be an option, according to someone. Trained dogs could be a real bonus.

Just some food for thought, Rancher.

You'll think of something, don't worry. You seem very industrious and determined!

TOB

Well I am trying to design an exploding chicken decoy. I think there would be quite the market for such a thing. Why oh why wasn't I born rich instead of handsome. I've have money to build and market them.

Can you imagine a hawk hitting a chicken decoy and having it explode? Imagine a fox grabbing a chickens and having it explode and knock all it's teeth out.

I am though planning on planting fruit bearing shrubs around the yard. There is to much open space.

 

[Tough Old Bird]

Rancher,

I don't know why the link(s) don't seem to work when i click on them from the thread. You might have to type them into your search engine, because I found them doing so.

TOB

 

[Tough Old Bird]

Well I am trying to design an exploding chicken decoy. I think there would be quite the market for such a thing. Why oh why wasn't I born rich instead of handsome. I've have money to build and market them.

Can you imagine a hawk hitting a chicken decoy and having it explode? Imagine a fox grabbing a chickens and having it explode and knock all it's teeth out.

Hands down, my best laugh of the day!

Yes, I CAN imagine it. Way too funny!! I imagine it would be incredibly effective, but probably would go over with consumer safety folks like a fart in church.

TOB

 

[happyhensny]

We have peafowl, they are in a covered pen and they aren't very loud. These makes honking noises, think goose, and an occasional call In spring. We are in a suburban area and there is no competition for him.

We also have goats. They aren't very noisy either. There have been hawks and again this week I saw bobcat tracks next to the peafowl/pheasant pen. Nope. Only alternative is covering the run, we use wire fencing, and only letting them out when you can be around. It is a difficult situation to decide what to do. Lock them in and keep them ultimately safe or limit their outside time and be reasonably safe or let them out all day and only the strong survive. I suppose it is up to the individual. We are somewhere between.