NY chicken lover!!!!

[Adoravachick]

I think Adoravachick, on this thread, may have hens available.

All the hens are spoken for. One day.....gone!

 

[Glasshen]

Just heard strange sounds from the chickens, and looked out. There was a huge coyote moving slowly and silently behind the pen. I ran out on the porch and screamed at him. He went away, but not as fast as if I had had a shotgun. It was huge healthy looking and inscrutable.

Maybe I will move the electric fence today...

 

[Lynzi777]

Just heard strange sounds from the chickens, and looked out. There was a huge coyote moving slowly and silently behind the pen. I ran out on the porch and screamed at him. He went away, but not as fast as if I had had a shotgun. It was huge healthy looking and inscrutable.
Maybe I will move the electric fence today...

Oh boy, this makes me nervous...I hear them every other night down by the creek but have never actually seen any.

Well we're back from our trip. My son was excited to wake up this morning and check the nest boxes before school...3 eggs from each coop in the 2 days we were gone. He thought that was very cool. So no issues I guess while we were gone, everyone was very happy and eager to leave the coops today.

Back to the grind!! Boy do I hate Mondays...

 

[Glasshen]

Hearing them at night is ok, it means that we live in the country and nature is in a kind of balance. But when I start seeing them, something is out of balance, and they are trying to encroach on my turf. That is not ok.

 

[Adoravachick]

I saw two HUGE coyotes on Friday AFTERNOON? They were on the other side of the pond, at first I thought they were the decoys that we have out there to keep the geese away, then it moved. Then another came out and they were rolling around in the grass playing. I went out and let the airhorn loose on them and yelled at them, they took off. I thought about grabbing the shotgun, I had enough time, but I didn't have any slugs. Next on the list....a rifle. They scared me big time, I have two small children, so it bothered me. I ALWAYS carry pepper spray when we are out on our nature walks, just in case. A friend of ours was actually attacked by a rabit fox, right in her back yard, while she was gardening. She ended up choking it, after it had bitten her several times. So, be careful.

 

[Adoravachick]

Rabid....

 

[Glasshen]

Choking a fox! Your friend has my respect! I'm way better at screaming.

 

[rancher hicks]

I saw two HUGE coyotes on Friday AFTERNOON? They were on the other side of the pond, at first I thought they were the decoys that we have out there to keep the geese away, then it moved. Then another came out and they were rolling around in the grass playing. I went out and let the airhorn loose on them and yelled at them, they took off. I thought about grabbing the shotgun, I had enough time, but I didn't have any slugs. Next on the list....a rifle. They scared me big time, I have two small children, so it bothered me. I ALWAYS carry pepper spray when we are out on our nature walks, just in case. A friend of ours was actually attacked by a rabit fox, right in her back yard, while she was gardening. She ended up choking it, after it had bitten her several times. So, be careful.

I'm an ex letter carrier. Pepper spray is a joke and doesn't work. The PO spent lots of money for those air horns? Only thing is none of them worked. Pepper spray works on humans though. The wind blew it back in my eyes and I was defenseless.

Carry a pellet gun or something stronger. Make noise to let them know you are coming. Have your husband or sons "mark" your territory.

Found the cardboard on the back of the hoop coop torn yesterday. I'd stapled it over the hardware cloth as a wind break. That explains why the hens with the chicks had moved to the middle of the coop floor.

I've been having a squirrel problem lately. Time for my secret weapon.

 

[Gramma Chick]

"Just heard strange sounds from the chickens, and looked out. There was a huge coyote moving slowly and silently behind the pen. I ran out on the porch and screamed at him. He went away, but not as fast as if I had had a shotgun. It was huge healthy looking and inscrutable.Maybe I will move the electric fence today..."
A gun to protect them might be better !
Scary ! I have heard coyotes / coydogs ..never seen them . Have seen a fox .. I am pretty sure it got 2 of our baby chickens ..We were naive then ..& let them out by themselves .
We had a fox attack our rescue hens while I was in the backyard ( they were in the woods on the other side of our house . ) I Roared / Growled at it & ran towards them ..It dropped the chicken it had . It came back the next day ..I shot at it ..I havent seen it since .. it could have visited but I havent seen it .( it was in the spring & I sure it had babies to feed then )
We now have a rooster & pretty much stay out with them when they are out ..or trust him to watch them some ..as he is very aware of his surroundings ...

 

[Tab's chicken obsession]

Life has been crazy and I haven't had much time to be online. I just did a fast read on 116 post, phew!
I've been working on tomato sauce, green beans, and pickles. We went camping this weekend at Hamlin Beach. It rained over night but was otherwise nice.

Ginny -- When we got home yesterday we found our first egg from the buckeyes.