NY chicken lover!!!!

[featherz]

Speaking of predators, set up a roll of poultry electrified netting today. It's kind of 'in the way' where I had to put it, but right now it's just experimental since we only got one roll. Let the chickens out - didn't see any evidence of them getting zapped and none tried to fly over. My cat however did get zapped and ran far far away. If anyone considers this stuff probably better to buy the 'plus' edition with more posts- we had to use regular step in posts to prop up a lot of sagging net. My $100 energizer is providing PLENTY of zap - fence is maxing out the little tester we have that stops at 7K.

Cass, just gave two of your chickies to my broody araucana. She hasn't killed them yet, just pecked at them to get under her so I am hopeful. Saving the other three that I have here for my other broody who will get them in the early AM.

 

[Lynzi777]

Of course, this presumes that you live in an area where firing a gun is legal. (I do) Otherwise, call your local dog catcher (cuz if it's not legal to fire a gun around you, you have a dog catcher) and have them take it away. Ask for your trap back, cuz otherwise they will "forget" to bring it back.

I do live in the country, not sure what the regulations are on guns around here, but I do hear people weekly hunting in the mountains. They're gun shots go off quite often. I do not own a gun, not really in any rush to get one. So if I do catch it, I will more than likely call a dog catcher/animal control to come get it.

 

[Adoravachick]

Awww==what cute kids you have! Looks like they are enjoying the great outdoors! Your roo is a handsome guy as well.

Thank you, our family just loves them.

 

[Adoravachick]

Nope, I find them pretty dopey looking myself. I have exactly ONE of them....she's a wonderful broody and a good momma....Oh, and has BLACK skin, so there is no way I am gonna butcher it for eating, so it stays.

Aliens. And the other chickens laugh at it. (Oh, and it can't fly, so it can't roost with the other chickens. Pretty, but useless)

Yup, pretty much. Basically just a pet. They are slow too, so my daughter can catch them...along with anything else that really wants them. My daughter is 4 and she just loves the silkies....so what can I do but love those little aliens too.

 

[stonykill]

Before this goes to far. I was just kidding. They are useful as broody hens for breeds that don't do well. I've yet to have a Del hatch well but I keep hoping. I don't have any silkies however since they require more care than I have to give.

I'm sure we all are. If someone offered me a free silky hen, I'd take it.

 

[Henicillin]

One of my oldest group of chicks is looking rather rooish to me. It has tree trunks for legs, much thicker than the others have, and is developing a very upright stance. My sister wants a cockerel, so I suppose I could give it to her if that's the case, but it's a Brahma/Sussex cross and looks like it's going to be big and handsome. I may just have to keep it myself.

 

[Adoravachick]

We lost 11 of our birds on mother's day. My husband did some research about racoons and read they can be as smart as a 5 year old child when it comes to problem solving.....and they have thumbs???? So, we put a series of different locks in on the gates and the coop doors. It helps because our small child cant just run over and let all the chickens out at inopportune times.

 

[Lynzi777]

We lost 11 of our birds on mother's day. My husband did some research about racoons and read they can be as smart as a 5 year old child when it comes to problem solving.....and they have thumbs???? So, we put a series of different locks in on the gates and the coop doors. It helps because our small child cant just run over and let all the chickens out at inopportune times.

Oh I have no doubt in my mind as to how smart they are, I was JUST outside and thinking the same thing. Right now I just have a small little latch on the coop doors and was thinking how many times will it take for him to scratch at one of them before they open. They are a little tough to open, my 6 year old has trouble sometimes but still, I plan on replacing all the latches tomorrow.

Here's a picture of the front of my little coop scratched all over the place...You can also notice all the dirt all over the top, must have been giving my chickens a heart attack after all that digging he did!

 

[Henicillin]

Quote:

I'm sure we all are. If someone offered me a free silky hen, I'd take it.

So would I - and I'd call it Bumble.

A colleague of mine has a friend who may have to give away six laying hens, as she's moving. Of course I've said that I'll take them if she doesn't find any other takers, because, hey, free chickens! I seriously need to expand that run...

 

[stonykill]

Quote:

So would I - and I'd call it Bumble.

A colleague of mine has a friend who may have to give away six laying hens, as she's moving. Of course I've said that I'll take them if she doesn't find any other takers, because, hey, free chickens! I seriously need to expand that run...

6 free laying hens. Heck yeah, I think most any of us would jump on that!