NY chicken lover!!!!

[boskelli1571]

There is also a bear matt
https://www.alaskaphotographics.com/blog/2010/05/14/alaska-bush-bear-unwelcome-matt/

Haha! I would be stupid enough to forget it was there....

 

[Gramma Chick]

Haha! I would be stupid enough to forget it was there....

Ha Ha ...Spray Paint Danger in red

 

[BrindleFinch]

Hey all! Worried future chicken parent again. I was just thinking about where to ask this question - then I realized, where better to ask than people who would know personally the predators around here.

I purchased a silkie roo to go with my hens, as I knew I needed a roo if I was going to free range out here, and it was the only breed of roo my parents would agree to (because they're cute ). We have red tailed hawks everywhere around here - but we also live next to a river, and open fields, where prey is easier to catch than my chickens would be.

Our property itself is very forested, save for the open area of our yard. The coop will be located directly next to the woods, actually. I'm very fortunate in that it's a red pine forest - the floor is very open and uncluttered, but the treetops are pretty solid.

Hawks are my main concern. Will a heavily forested area with lots of cover + a roo provide enough protection to let my hens free range safely? Or will forested areas not deter red-tailed hawks, as I've heard? I know it will never be 100% safe from hawks if they're out of a pen - but is it too risky to free range in our area?

It's hard trying to balance the risk quality of life/freedom with the security of protection.

 

[boskelli1571]

Hey all! Worried future chicken parent again. I was just thinking about where to ask this question - then I realized, where better to ask than people who would know personally the predators around here.

I purchased a silkie roo to go with my hens, as I knew I needed a roo if I was going to free range out here, and it was the only breed of roo my parents would agree to (because they're cute ). We have red tailed hawks everywhere around here - but we also live next to a river, and open fields, where prey is easier to catch than my chickens would be.

Our property itself is very forested, save for the open area of our yard. The coop will be located directly next to the woods, actually. I'm very fortunate in that it's a red pine forest - the floor is very open and uncluttered, but the treetops are pretty solid.

Hawks are my main concern. Will a heavily forested area with lots of cover + a roo provide enough protection to let my hens free range safely? Or will forested areas not deter red-tailed hawks, as I've heard? I know it will never be 100% safe from hawks if they're out of a pen - but is it too risky to free range in our area?

It's hard trying to balance the risk quality of life/freedom with the security of protection.

Hello & welcome! In short, the answer is no. Hawks are very adept at flying through woodlands, especially Coopers and Shrp shinned hawks. Owls too will love the woodlands.
There are no guarantees if you free range. You can try putting up small portable shelters for cover.
If you are next to a river you might need to think about mink too. They will destroy your birds in short order.

 

[rancher hicks]

Well I'm still here. I gave away the silkies, whites are easy to spot. Don't know what I was thinking, Well yeah I guess I did, .50 per chick and I was intending to cross to the frizzles. If I were to get any more they'd be barred or blue or some color not so easy to spot. Barred chickens are much harder to see. Pencil rocks, Cuckoo or Partridge too.
but I have some barred EE's I'll put the frizzles with.

Also sold some lavender hens. Gave away about 5 roosters and three hens. I don't mind parting with hens if they take the roosters but most don't want to help me out that way.

I still have a lot, but just 5 roosters. Two to get rid of.

The hens are not cooperating, wanting to hatch. I keep taking the eggs and moving them out of the nest boxes.

 

[rancher hicks]

RUNS: My runs are getting older so the bottom of the poultry wire has rusted through. I've added some lumber about a foot up so I can add hardware cloth folded a foot out away from the run. I also plan and have started planting mints and other herbs that the chickens don't like there too. The birds won't scratch it out. Lemon Balm, Spearmint and others smell nice when I hit it with the lawnmower.

With DW being sick, she's bed ridden now so I don't get to go out and work as often as I'd like. Fact is it's been very hard and there is much to do. An aide comes for two hours some days but time flies when you're having fun you know. The aid isn't a nurse so she can't do most things except sit and make sure DW is okay. Believe it or not it's a big help.

Some tree blew down and need to be cut. One just missed the large hoop by inches. There are more and bigger trees leaning and I'm stressing on contacting the landlord for nextdoor to do something before worse damage is done.

Well take care and be well.

Rancher

 

[boskelli1571]

Hi everyone - in case you didn't see the Chickenstock thread, the 'for sale, raffle & food' sheets are looking bare! If you plan to come and know what you're bringing can you please let me know so I can post it, TIA

 

[Gramma Chick]

Hello & welcome! In short, the answer is no. .

Welcome
Agreed ...they provide some cover ..but dont stop them .
Humans are the best protection ..Be out with them and /or listen to their calls for danger . I put wind socks or wind chimes in the trees .and walk out in their area regularly once in a while . My husband wanted to put our coop in the woods ..but I wanted it near the house for safety . we get less critters I believe coz our smell is all around the area .
With good maintenance..there isnt much smell from the coop.. this is the view from our deck

 

[Gramma Chick]

With DW being sick, she's bed ridden now so I don't get to go out and work as often as I'd like. Fact is it's been very hard and there is much to do. An aide comes for two hours some days but time flies when you're having fun you know. The aid isn't a nurse so she can't do most things except sit and make sure DW is okay. Believe it or not it's a big help.

Every little bit helps it is a must for a care givers sanity ...I was on Kirk ville road yesterday ..I thought of you ..I would have stopped ..but I didnt have your # on me .do you still have the one ending in 75 ?

 

[rancher hicks]

Yes I do. I've got a Keurig if you need a cup of coffee.