NY chicken lover!!!!

[marquisella]

Quote: The don't eat more than a chicken. That was a surprize for me, thinking they would be feed guzzlers, and when there is grass, they won't eat feed at all...When I first got them,it hadn't snowed yet, and I was worried they didn't eat their feed, then I found out, they prefer grass instead of feed...yeah!

Get a pair, you know you will want to breed....

 

[AQHAchick22]

Agreed it probably was a racoon. It was definitly not a hawk. Hawks eat the back and back of the neck. They dont usually touch the breast

Yeah and it was under the coop and I doubt a hawk would hang out under there...my gut says raccoon or maybe a Cat? I have the game cam out there for now and I'll get a trap tomorrow.

 

[Finny]

The don't eat more than a chicken. That was a surprize for me, thinking they would be feed guzzlers, and when there is grass, they won't eat feed at all...When I first got them,it hadn't snowed yet, and I was worried they didn't eat their feed, then I found out, they prefer grass instead of feed...yeah!


Get a pair, you know you will want to breed....

Would it be ok to keep a pair with my four drakes?

 

[rancher hicks]

One of my partridge rock hens was killed last night or today

Not sure what did it but the body was under the coop and the breast meat and meat off the neck was gone and that was it. I couldn't see any prints but it also snowed last night a bit so I think I may have locked her out of the coop

Very frustrating....

I am sorry for your loss. I've locked out chickens my self. I can be hard when you are tired and don't do a head count.

 

[marquisella]

Quote: I think it would be ok. My guess don't bother with the ducks.

 

[rancher hicks]

Ok, I have some really nice roosters I am willing to give away.

My original Coronation roo, 2.5 years old. Has a bad eye, but it does't affect him. He is a real beauty. Wattles have frostbite. I have 4 of his sons,so don't need him, but would prefer a nice home, not stew pot.

A very nice black copper Marans for egg production only. He has a side sprig on his comb, which prevents him from being breeding quality, but otherwise, to produce dark layers, is good.

Mixed cockerel...Orp & Wyandotte

Black Copper Marans cockerel. On the dark side feather wise, but if you are looking for dark eggs, he will work out.

I ran on a lot of boys this winter, and need to cut back. NPIP tested flock.

I would consider him if you weren't so far away. I've still got the girl you traded to me and she's a nice one. Lays well too. She's sure to go broody when the nice weather gets here. He might be to old though right?

 

[marquisella]

Quote: The coronation? I had him in with the girls until yesterday. He's not too old, ask him! LOL He has long wattles so they got frostbite. I put him in an inside pen to help with the frostbite. I just love him, he is not aggressive and so big....we go to Syracuse occasionally

 

[Finny]

I think it would be ok. My guess don't bother with the ducks.

Yay!! I am so glad it will be ok! I have always wanted sebbies but i have been hesitant before. Thanks for the input!

 

[Tough Old Bird]

One of my partridge rock hens was killed last night or today

Not sure what did it but the body was under the coop and the breast meat and meat off the neck was gone and that was it. I couldn't see any prints but it also snowed last night a bit so I think I may have locked her out of the coop

Very frustrating....

Ugh, sorry AQHAchick.

Hope you don't have any more trouble...

We woke up to a fox on the far side of our yard this morning, (not the coop side), passing through, and he went even faster when my dog spotted him and started making a racket. Also had a red-tailed hawk land in a tree not too far from the coop yesterday. Even though the girls are completely enclosed in their pen, they still scooted to the pop-door. I chased it off... The winter is a tough one. Predators are, possibly, getting bolder.

TOB

 

[Tough Old Bird]

Hi everyone,

Hope you are all staying well (and sane...this winter is making me mental, I swear). I am still checking in on an abbreviated basis, as time allows. We adopted a new dog 2 weeks ago today...6 month old pit mix and boy, is she ever a lot of work!

Meet "Blaise" -- kept on a porch in a crate that she could only see out the gate from her whole life by her previous owner. She needs to learn EVERYTHING. I've got my work cut out for me. She's sweet, though, just needs to learn manners and boundaries. A small girl, but I call her our "rodeo in a box." Wild child!





Chickies are handling this godforsaken winter as well as can be expected, I guess. Still a bit of frostbite on the worst of the nights, but not bad. Just a few specks. Egg production is still pretty good in my 6 out of 7 laying birds. My, but you folks weren't kidding when you said how much chickens hate walking in snow. I need to shovel their pen and throw scratch down to entice them out...!

Take care all, and think spring!

TOB