NY chicken lover!!!!

[boskelli1571]

The Automatic Door opener DID NOT CLOSE....as a result
something got into the Coop. What???? The coop was
filled with feathers AND 6 hens and 1 rooster were GONE.

Nothing left but feathers. What was it? We have set a trap
and trying to catch the THING.

Does anyone have an Automatic Door? We need to purchase
a new dependable one. Thanks Aria

So sorry about your birds - gut wrenching.

I won't get an electric door - I'm just too paranoid to trust it. I also have 2 Beagles that roam freely around, so that helps like Beer can said.

 

[nposluszny]

@Aria I think I posted a reply to you before but you may have missed it. I have a Chickenguard door and it is great. You can set it to close on a timer, by light level, or mix and match. It runs on batteries and one set of batteries lasts a year. Mine hasn't failed once so far.

Just a heads up that GFF is having a 30% off sale, which is very, very tempting. Anyone want to split an order?

What's GFF? I'll check them out, considering an automatic door for when I go on vacation.

 

[Pyxis]

What's GFF? I'll check them out, considering an automatic door for when I go on vacation.

GFF is Greenfire Farms. Be prepared for the prices when you check them out - they sell rare chicks and they're very expensive. If you do decide to get a Chickenguard, order it directly from Chickenguard.com instead of somewhere else and you'll save money.

 

[nposluszny]

GFF is Greenfire Farms. Be prepared for the prices when you check them out - they sell rare chicks and they're very expensive. If you do decide to get a Chickenguard, order it directly from Chickenguard.com instead of somewhere else and you'll save money.

OMG!!!!!! I went to the site, spent hours last night looking at all the chicks available, the auctions they have up, etc. I want more chickens!!! - but I'm at my limit for now. 16 is pretty good for us, I don't have ability to free range (my dogs look at the birds like they're fast food nuggets so the fence for the huge run is getting upgraded this week) and I don't want to overcrowd them at all. My coop has a grand total of 96 sq ft and the big run is 340 sq ft, I figure thats plenty big for happy ladies (and the roo). However, after doing more chicken math, I'm pretty sure I could get 4 more...would have to be egg layers to make it work here (my brain is screaming to stop now but they're so pretty!).

The Queen Silva and the Marsh Daisy! Gotta get me some of those.........in the future. Not right now (put your wallet away!)

 

[Aria]

Quote: We set a trap. Caught a Skunk. Are Skunks interested in Chickens?
We have been working on all colors and finally got some beautiful Silkies. We had Blue,
Splash, Paint, Black, and White. They were the most beautiful Silkies we have ever had.

We have a NEW automatic door on its way. We are now going to check to make sure the door
is working. This ONE time it did not work and we lost. Need to check and double check.
Thanks for your words Beer Can. Regards, Aria

 

[tao chick]

Thoughts are with those experiencing losses. I hope the weather cooperates for everyone to get more secure and/or trap the predators.

Anyone here successfully treat wry neck without breaking the bank? I have nutridrench for her and give a bit to her directly twice a day and have been hand feeding yogurt or tuna directly to her to give her the vitamin e and selenium that is recommended. She took a turn for the worse last night and hasn't been able to uncurl her neck. This morning she seems to be gasping for air. I've read it gets worse before it gets better but this is a drastic change for the worse and I don't want her to suffer. She's about 10 weeks old.

 

[horsekeeper]

Thoughts are with those experiencing losses. I hope the weather cooperates for everyone to get more secure and/or trap the predators.

Anyone here successfully treat wry neck without breaking the bank? I have nutridrench for her and give a bit to her directly twice a day and have been hand feeding yogurt or tuna directly to her to give her the vitamin e and selenium that is recommended. She took a turn for the worse last night and hasn't been able to uncurl her neck. This morning she seems to be gasping for air. I've read it gets worse before it gets better but this is a drastic change for the worse and I don't want her to suffer. She's about 10 weeks old.

I had a silkie chick with wry neck and gave baby vitamins without iron by dropper. You just put a few drops along the opening of the beak 3 or 4 times a day. The chick will need your help to eat and drink for a while until it gets stronger. I fed chick crumbles with some hard boiled egg yolks added for extra protein. The chick recovered so well I couldn't tell which one it was except for the head feathering. Turned into an ugly tempered cockerel that ended up in the freezer.

I don't remember any breathing problems other than panting from stress when I was restraining him for feeding. Mine occurred when he scooted across the stock tank brooder and slammed his little empty head into the side, panicked the rest of the chicks, and they all piled on top of him. That was about 4 years ago and I remember it took a couple of weeks of assisted feeding before he could manage to eat and drink on his own again.

 

[Metella]

I didn't know skunks were really interested in chickens - unless maybe in starvation mode. Good to know.

Sorry for all the losses - my solution is a $20 baby monitor out near the coop under an overhang - I've gone out many times when I hear a ruckus and seen a few different things slink off ... My monitor has lasted almost 3 years now - of course - it is only helpful if you are home to run out shouting and shooting like a crazy fool .....

This next bit is homestead related - and I have NO expectations - but not sharing is not knowing if anyone wants to know.

I was invited to put my farm into a small contest - so if you want to support me - all it takes is a click (no registration or anything).

So thanks ahead of time to any of you who visit the site and give my farm a "click"

http://www.beekmanmortgagelifter.com/profile/phoenix-farm/68891/

 

[akaruby]

Thoughts are with those experiencing losses. I hope the weather cooperates for everyone to get more secure and/or trap the predators.

Anyone here successfully treat wry neck without breaking the bank? I have nutridrench for her and give a bit to her directly twice a day and have been hand feeding yogurt or tuna directly to her to give her the vitamin e and selenium that is recommended. She took a turn for the worse last night and hasn't been able to uncurl her neck. This morning she seems to be gasping for air. I've read it gets worse before it gets better but this is a drastic change for the worse and I don't want her to suffer. She's about 10 weeks old.

I've read poly vi sol without iron works well like horsekeeper said

 

[boskelli1571]

Sorry for everyone's losses and tribulations.....Culled another hen this week, not sure what was the problem but she was failing and wouldn't even get up to eat/drink

On a brighter note, I have slipped a couple of the Welsummer eggs under my broodies. They are both quite content now, fingers crossed for hatching.
The 'bachelor pad' is almost done so the boys' will be moving in by next week

Got our rabbits - 3 NZ whites, lodging with owner until house is done - next week. Duck order is looking 'iffy' again, I don't think I'm supposed to have ducks

Phoredaburds how are my eggs doing please?