Post Pics Of Orps/ Orpingtons HERE

[lualshannon]

I had originally fenced this place with 54" steel cattle panels, and had hedges all round it.I was trimming 1000' of hedge every month. That foolishness went on for 15 years.I finally got smart, and fenced the whole property in 8' board fencing, but I left the bottoms of the cattle panels, which by that time were imbedded in the ground, and impossible to remove. The board fencing is vertical planks spaced 1" apart to let air blow through.Very hard to climb.The tree rats do use the top cap board as their personal runway, but they don't bother me as the Orps run them off if they come into the orchard, or the coops.

Though I live in town, this place is adjoining the second oldest polo field in the US, with a golf course next to that. So we have had bears, bob cats,coyotes, way too many deer, and foxes around.Due to the fact that we have 4 rescue dogs who are out and about every day, nothing wants to enter here. At night the Orps are locked up in chain link steel covered runs.No way into those coops unless we have an elephant herd attack ! If I were worried about big cats, I would hot wire my 8' perimeter fence.

There are hydrangeas every where, as I can't resist putting cuttings in the ground. I did have a problem with the deer eating them outside my fence, but Nite-Guard solar lights stopped that.The hydrangeas in the Orps' orchard have bird netting in them. The hydrangeas have grown up through the netting, and give a second level of protection from aerial attacks. The over head lines stop the hawks and eagles, who don't want to risk their wings.They do make me very nervous in the fall when they migrate though. A young Red Tail boomeranged off the lines last year, and ended up tn the area my dogs patrol. He won't be back.

I think your answer Lual, is electric fencing, added to what ever you are currently fenced with. Wild animals respect it.It is very simple to install, and cheap to run.

How nice that your property is right next to a polo field and golf course; sounds beautiful..We are on the out skirsts of a small city, and our property is only a bit more than 1 acre. The back yard is fully fenced with 7feet tall fencing which is made of corral boards and no-climb wiring which now we are aware that it is not actually no-climb..In order to create privacy, we planted good number of bushes and trees which made it possible for us the have a very lush, secluded place. All the vegetation gave the predators the same privacy as well. We have been busy clearing the whole place so to be able to see all around without any obstructions in the way. It is a lot of work but, worth it as long as the birds are safe.

Yes! we will take your advice and run electric wire but, have to get permission from the neighbors to be able to do so. I love hydrangeas; unfortunatelly, it is one of the list of plants we simply can not grow in Ca. We always had one or two Great Pyreneese, but did not have one for the last couple of years. I think it is about time I start looking for one. They are great livestock protectors and giant sweethearts.

The big trees are giving protection for the aerial predators, and am always praying that they don't start being problems as well; for if that happens, I will have to throw my towel in.. Too bad that everything has changed drastically because they were so happy free ranging all day long while I had the false sense of security for the past 20+ years..

Thank you for all your help, and advice.

 

[galanie]

I think my BO is getting tamer yay

Yay! Treats and patience go a long way.

 

[ihavechickens]

Yay! Treats and patience go a long way.

Actually I did not use treats I did at the start but my BO just took them then ran away so in the end I just gave up instead whenever I went to see her I would pick her up and stroke her then put her on a chair so I seemed less big then stroke her some more till she calmed down then sit on the floor with her on my lap and more stroking then put her on the floor this is usually when she runs away then if she does not run away I stand up and stroke her so she gets use to my normal size then I walk away and walk back to her so she gets use to me approaching her

 

[thedragonlady]

How nice that your property is right next to a polo field and golf course; sounds beautiful..We are on the out skirsts of a small city, and our property is only a bit more than 1 acre. The back yard is fully fenced with 7feet tall fencing which is made of corral boards and no-climb wiring which now we are aware that it is not actually no-climb..In order to create privacy, we planted good number of bushes and trees which made it possible for us the have a very lush, secluded place. All the vegetation gave the predators the same privacy as well. We have been busy clearing the whole place so to be able to see all around without any obstructions in the way. It is a lot of work but, worth it as long as the birds are safe.

Yes! we will take your advice and run electric wire but, have to get permission from the neighbors to be able to do so. I love hydrangeas; unfortunatelly, it is one of the list of plants we simply can not grow in Ca. We always had one or two Great Pyreneese, but did not have one for the last couple of years. I think it is about time I start looking for one. They are great livestock protectors and giant sweethearts.

The big trees are giving protection for the aerial predators, and am always praying that they don't start being problems as well; for if that happens, I will have to throw my towel in.. Too bad that everything has changed drastically because they were so happy free ranging all day long while I had the false sense of security for the past 20+ years..

Thank you for all your help, and advice.

Lual,
You do not need permission from your neighbors to run electric fence 4' INSIDE your existing fencing. I doubt that they would notice a strand on top of your existing 7' fencing either. Think about it before you open a can of worms ! Been there, done that.

 

[quailtrail]

Just got a pair of 7mo BO!!!! Here's Captain Charlie and Emma. They are soooo sweet!!!!

 

[Blarneyeggs]

Gorgeous!!!!!!

X2

Thank you! I love these guys, they are a bit over four months. I've got to separate the cockerels soon, they are competing for food.

 

[Binababy]

Yes ma'am I have moved her to her own pen, they are all doing great

 

[galanie]

Just got a pair of 7mo BO!!!! Here's Captain Charlie and Emma. They are soooo sweet!!!!

Glad you love them! They should make you very happy.

 

[Blarneyeggs]

Just got a pair of 7mo BO!!!! Here's Captain Charlie and Emma. They are soooo sweet!!!!

Love the names! I've never had buff, but I hear they're pussy cats.

 

[tnspursfan09]

Got 3 BO chicks at the feed store. 2 turned out to be Roosters. Max and Prince Eric are now 6 mos old and though they are not crowing yet they are still making my WL Roo upset and all 3 are competing for the affection of my poor 5 hens. So now I have 7 eggs in the incubator to, hopefully, get more hens for them all. These 2 BO boys are so sweet and calm. The eggs are from my one BO girl, 3 red sex links and Dora, my LH hen. I have no idea who roo'd which hen.

Max(top) and Prince Eric. Max is the bigger of the 2, but Prince Eric looks more like a rooster.



Diego and Boo Boo (with one of the reds, Paprika)


Prince Eric (top..with muddy feet from chasing butterflies in the muddy puddles)and Max (bottom left). His comb is nowhere near as big or dark as Eric's.