carlf
Chirping
I just cant take it anymore, I have to comment. Sorry if I offend anyone, but sometimes it cant be helped.
We all lose a bird every now and then. Stuff happens. I lost one of Christmas to a possum (a now deceased possum).
But that should be the exception.
But I've a member here only a week and I have just read at least the 20th thread that starts out with:
"I've lost (pick a number more than 2, some as high as 10+) hens in the last (pick a multiple of days, nights, weeks). What's doing it and it and what should I do?"
OMG people, if you have chickens and you lose more than one bird to predators in a short time frame, you have a serious problem!
Your birds are dying. Don't wait until the 3rd, 4th, 5th + plus one is dead and then come on here asking what to do!
You have a duty to take action immediately.
You have duty to protect your birds because they cannot protect themselves.
Do not wait.
Take action.
If that means locking them up in a secure coop for days until you figure it out, that is what you do it. You do what is needed as soon as possible to secure the lives of these birds.
But, If you wait until you have lost 3, 4 5, or 10 birds over the course of a week before taking serious action, IMO you are simply not being a responsible owner and you should give your birds away. Period.
Sound harsh? Yep, but this is serious. You are responsible for the lives of these birds. Period.
Some things every chicken owner should have:
A lockable coop that is as predator proof as possible. Windows should have hardware clothe covering. All doors must be lockable.
A securable run that is predator proof as possible. That means quality chicken or welded wire with wire or net top. Lockable door.
A cage trap capable of catching raccoon size predators.
A means to kill a predator that you catch or a friend/family member that is willing to do it. Or you need the number for your local critter control company.
Never relocate predators, in most cases, its illegal.
Sorry to rant but I just cant believe some of what I have read on this forum.
We all lose a bird every now and then. Stuff happens. I lost one of Christmas to a possum (a now deceased possum).
But that should be the exception.
But I've a member here only a week and I have just read at least the 20th thread that starts out with:
"I've lost (pick a number more than 2, some as high as 10+) hens in the last (pick a multiple of days, nights, weeks). What's doing it and it and what should I do?"
OMG people, if you have chickens and you lose more than one bird to predators in a short time frame, you have a serious problem!
Your birds are dying. Don't wait until the 3rd, 4th, 5th + plus one is dead and then come on here asking what to do!
You have a duty to take action immediately.
You have duty to protect your birds because they cannot protect themselves.
Do not wait.
Take action.
If that means locking them up in a secure coop for days until you figure it out, that is what you do it. You do what is needed as soon as possible to secure the lives of these birds.
But, If you wait until you have lost 3, 4 5, or 10 birds over the course of a week before taking serious action, IMO you are simply not being a responsible owner and you should give your birds away. Period.
Sound harsh? Yep, but this is serious. You are responsible for the lives of these birds. Period.
Some things every chicken owner should have:
A lockable coop that is as predator proof as possible. Windows should have hardware clothe covering. All doors must be lockable.
A securable run that is predator proof as possible. That means quality chicken or welded wire with wire or net top. Lockable door.
A cage trap capable of catching raccoon size predators.
A means to kill a predator that you catch or a friend/family member that is willing to do it. Or you need the number for your local critter control company.
Never relocate predators, in most cases, its illegal.
Sorry to rant but I just cant believe some of what I have read on this forum.
