So I have always known that there are about 5 or so squirrels that come by now and now and take some of the chickens food. It didn't occur that much and they didn't cause a nuisance so Ive left it more or less alone. But in the last week or so I have noticed my egg production has gone down: A LOT. When I say I lot I mean imp only getting about 2 or 3 eggs.
This afternoon all was revealed. I went outside just in time to see one of the fatter squirrels clumsily rolling an egg away. Three of my good and loyal chickens surrounded the squirrel and started pecking furiously at it. I could practically see them thinking, "Ah! Defend the coop! Attack the squirrel!" It was hilarious. Then I ran over too and the squirrel managed to run away through the fence, still holding that egg. It ducked underneath the deck in our backyard and out of sight
So of course I go squat near the deck and squint under there to see the squirrel. Here it comes. I SAW THE SQUIRREL BREAK THE EGG AND START LICKING THE INSIDES. I shouted and sort of poked a stick inside, but the squirrel wouldn't come out. I retreated from the sight of battle and ran inside to get a flashlight. Shining underneath the deck, I saw broken egg shells strewn all over the place. I had discovered the squirrel's secret hide-out and treasure storing place!
Now I went to go get the hose from the garden. I set it on Jet, and furiously sprayed under the deck. The squirrel raced out of there. The next 10 minutes sure were a sight to see. There was me, yelling spraying wildly at the squirrel, there was the squirrel making these frantic weird squirrel noises, and there was my family staring at me through the sliding-glass door. Of course, the squirrel eventually escaped, but not before getting sprayed by me quite a few times.
*Whew!* Even typing this story makes me get excited! Well, to make a long story short, now I know whats causing the egg shortage. Advice on what to do about this pesky squirrel?
p.s. Meeting me did not diminish the squirrels bravery at all. I see it now as Im typing, sitting there on the rock and looking so bold as it nibbles on a pellet of my chickens feed.
This afternoon all was revealed. I went outside just in time to see one of the fatter squirrels clumsily rolling an egg away. Three of my good and loyal chickens surrounded the squirrel and started pecking furiously at it. I could practically see them thinking, "Ah! Defend the coop! Attack the squirrel!" It was hilarious. Then I ran over too and the squirrel managed to run away through the fence, still holding that egg. It ducked underneath the deck in our backyard and out of sight
So of course I go squat near the deck and squint under there to see the squirrel. Here it comes. I SAW THE SQUIRREL BREAK THE EGG AND START LICKING THE INSIDES. I shouted and sort of poked a stick inside, but the squirrel wouldn't come out. I retreated from the sight of battle and ran inside to get a flashlight. Shining underneath the deck, I saw broken egg shells strewn all over the place. I had discovered the squirrel's secret hide-out and treasure storing place!
Now I went to go get the hose from the garden. I set it on Jet, and furiously sprayed under the deck. The squirrel raced out of there. The next 10 minutes sure were a sight to see. There was me, yelling spraying wildly at the squirrel, there was the squirrel making these frantic weird squirrel noises, and there was my family staring at me through the sliding-glass door. Of course, the squirrel eventually escaped, but not before getting sprayed by me quite a few times.
*Whew!* Even typing this story makes me get excited! Well, to make a long story short, now I know whats causing the egg shortage. Advice on what to do about this pesky squirrel?
p.s. Meeting me did not diminish the squirrels bravery at all. I see it now as Im typing, sitting there on the rock and looking so bold as it nibbles on a pellet of my chickens feed.
