Post Pics Of Orps/ Orpingtons HERE

[thedragonlady]

For some reason, I am not able to do multi reply. I thought my ipad was the problem but, it is the same with the regular computer...oh well...

Aveca, I love your birds! They are beautiful and in such great condition!

The wire panels are an excellent idea. We are trying to figure out how to create some portable, safe runs for our birds until we eliminate the bobcat problem. Did you make the panels, or are they available for purchase from the stores? So far, we have been using 4 feet tall x-pens to keep the birds confined, and am thankful that their weight is preventing them from jumping over. We need to come up with a good solution before I have full blown mutiny..

Lual,

Chain link dog kennels with a few strands of hot wire outside them will deter almost any predator.Add some mesh over the top, and you are safe from hawks too.These make ideal runs for the times you can't watch them. You have to be a real nut like me to wire a third of an acre with over head lines.The young STUPID hawks are flying now though. They will chance almost anything....even ruining their wings. Be careful!

 

[aveca]

hi lual...after all of the flooding in the area over the past few years a couple of bussiness decided to move to higher ground they didnt want to take the fence with them ..they were getting new fence with insurance. ...so they stacked it and sold it..this was lumber yard fence... lumber and flood water didnt mix ,it was a big loss..so they sold them all and it was a vast area for $10.00 per panel.they are very heavy i almost couldnt hold them up..their a little older a bit of oxidation but over all work like new..my neighbor bought 50 panels for his poultry, we bought 30..too bad you didnt live closer..we could score you a bunch of them..there were shorter panels..but what the heck..i wanted the monofiliment so it needed to be taller than me..if you know any contractors ..have them keep an eye out for these things...if people are remodeling ect..you can get some pretty neat things that people are giving away..the buff hut used to be a porch entrance.

 

[aveca]

after reading that Vickie..im thinking twice about the monofilament..i actually love the hawks..ive never lost one chicken to them..sure dont want to mess them up..they have started migrating , thats why so many right now..there was one big brown hawk..might be young bald eagle..hes just hanging up by monestary..hes the one im a little worried about..he might be hanging out because there are 2 big ponds up here and the river down at the bottom of the hill..

 

[lualshannon]

Lual,

Chain link dog kennels with a few strands of hot wire outside them will deter almost any predator.Add some mesh over the top, and you are safe from hawks too.These make ideal runs for the times you can't watch them. You have to be a real nut like me to wire a third of an acre with over head lines.The young STUPID hawks are flying now though. They will chance almost anything....even ruining their wings. Be careful!

I didn't think of the chain link dog fences-and I am a dog person...my brain has not been functioning well since the attack. Day after, I bought 8, 4' tall xpens which were quite pricey even though they gave me good discount. All the ones I have are Pekingese size, 18" tall : ) and not useful for anything else. Has been quite a few years since I bought any; was surprised with the prices. I brought all the birds into the garage and the cars out. I am only allowing them to free range on the front yard which is looking quite sad now but, that is fine, as long as they are safe. Yes, when they are free, I am outside with them.

I saw the photos of some of your runs, they are really nice, large and covered. I love how you worked around the trees. Made me smile with your comment of covering 1/3 of an acre. Yes! I can see you doing it..anything birds need, Dragon Lady's birds get it! I wish I could cover the whole property with one huge iron dome. This has been a terrible experience which I have seriously considered of giving all my birds to a friend of mine who owns a cattle ranch; but, the next day when the time came to take them over, I simply couldn't do it. Sometimes, when I feel desperate, thinking that perhaps I should just have couple of little finches.

Oh, about 10 days ago, one of my neighbors have spotted the bobcat as well. He is quite upset because they have young children. I warned the neighbors and all are on alert..and ready.. ; ) I wish I had Walt's place which is so pretty, secluded and surrounded with vineyards; acres, and acres of it.
I will be so happy when I have things under control and problem solved..

 

[lualshannon]

hi lual...after all of the flooding in the area over the past few years a couple of bussiness decided to move to higher ground they didnt want to take the fence with them ..they were getting new fence with insurance. ...so they stacked it and sold it..this was lumber yard fence... lumber and flood water didnt mix ,it was a big loss..so they sold them all and it was a vast area for $10.00 per panel.they are very heavy i almost couldnt hold them up..their a little older a bit of oxidation but over all work like new..my neighbor bought 50 panels for his poultry, we bought 30..too bad you didnt live closer..we could score you a bunch of them..there were shorter panels..but what the heck..i wanted the monofiliment so it needed to be taller than me..if you know any contractors ..have them keep an eye out for these things...if people are remodeling ect..you can get some pretty neat things that people are giving away..the buff hut used to be a porch entrance.

Aveca, you are SO lucky to have found those panels. They are great and most likely will last good many years. I don't know any contractors but will keep my eye on the papers. If you wanted to buy them new, they would be at least couple thousand dollars. Your set up is looking beautiful, and so very safe. Yes! I wish I lived closer, and for many more reasons... Thank you for the info., I will be keeping my eyes out. Actually, would have never thought of finding them the way you did; really quite clever! There is a place which I see the signs for used metal from the road and will go see what they have.
I am feeling really bad for my chickens. They did not choose to be here, and they have been living big part of the day in locked down for the last 3 wks. They were so happy when free ranging.

Ohh, don't worry about the oxidation, those panels look very heavy duty. Even if they were brand new, after the first winter & snow, all the spark would have been gone anyway. I am very happy for you...

 

[aveca]

You can ever put some want ads out..Dont get discourages Lual..

poultry are a prey animal..and a lot of predators put them on thier grocery shopping list..little by little add panels even if you buy one at a a time..pretty soon you will have a whole big pen ..wish you lived closer ..they had piles of those panels they power washed the panels due to mudd..we would get you set up...this is an age old problems for farmers..I live in state game land , husband calls the tree line , the viet cong of poultry..anything can come charging out of those dark woods.that is why we fenced 3 acres...right now its hawks ..hawks dont want to hurt themselves, they cant afford to break something..so they really wont try unless they think they have a shot at it..too many low branchs in thier way..

 

[galanie]

I don't have hawk protection here and getting nervous. They indeed are migrating and I'm starting to see some that appear to be shopping. Wish the dang crows would come visit me instead of squawking around a few acres away then moving on twice a day!

Used to be, I wouldn't be nervous at all since I'm generally out with them when they're out of their barn but after having one attack a pullet just about 8 feet away last year (rescued and recovered perfectly), I'm not at all complacent just because of my proximity to the birds.

At least they do hide from the hawks when they do circle.

 

[Sonja73]

Hey all- I have two Bantam Chocolate Orpington cockerels on RBA, as well as Scooby that needs to find homes soon.




All three of my lavender hens will be coming up for sale in @ 4 weeks, one hatched chicks, so I want to give her some time. The Chocolate are Heirloom lines, the Blue rooster is Greenfire and the lavenders are Hink-JC. If interested PM me, I can save them for the Fall Swap in Corvallis if needed. Thanks!

 

[thedragonlady]

I don't have hawk protection here and getting nervous. They indeed are migrating and I'm starting to see some that appear to be shopping. Wish the dang crows would come visit me instead of squawking around a few acres away then moving on twice a day!

Used to be, I wouldn't be nervous at all since I'm generally out with them when they're out of their barn but after having one attack a pullet just about 8 feet away last year (rescued and recovered perfectly), I'm not at all complacent just because of my proximity to the birds.

At least they do hide from the hawks when they do circle.

The crows have weaned their chicks now, and the family groups are joining up with other families to form murders.At this time of year I think the crows devil the hawks just for sport. I'm feeding the murder to keep them around, but they are ranging in a much wider area, which lets a hawk sneak in. That's why I put heavy bird netting over my hydrangeas last winter when they were just sticks.This summer the hydrangeas have grown up through the netting, and nothing can get through it, even if it gets through the overhead monofilament lines.

Since you've moved Sarah, the local hawks have not heard about what a bear cat mamma you are to cross ! I'm sure the word will get out shortly !

 

[aveca]

I wish the crows were out here today too Sarah..there is a lone osprey , has been circling the farm all day..he is crying and crying , Im guessing hes missing another osprey..Its funny to watch the birds reactions..the buffs all run inside..the whites all run to me..they have a hawk aframe..

At first everyone going about thier day like normal.


This 5 mo old just heard the eagle cry


He comes running to momma..I'll protect him.




The pullet hears the eagle too

at this point all of the buffs are inside


running toward the barn


Finnally the other cockeral came flying over to hang with me..


Chow chow doesnt worry about these things for too long thou she should..shes the youngest..