San Diego Chicken meetup and Chat thread

[Knock Kneed Hen]

[COLOR=333333]It's been quite a while since I've been on the forum. Today was a sad day for my small flock of 5 hens. I assume a predator got into the coop before it was locked up last night, but still not sure what happened. 3 were found dead on the top floor of the coop, 1 alive and fine, and 1 is missing. 2 of the 3 that died have no visible wounds. 1 had a small raw patch on her neck, and I found a chunk of her collar feathers so I guess they were pulled off. There were feathers everywhere, indicating a struggle I guess, but also one was molting and they looked like her feathers. Surprising to me that there was no blood. My best guess is raccoons, we've seen them in the yard before. I'm feeling awful. Does anyone have any ideas what might have happened?[/COLOR]

So sorry. I'd think that raccoons would at least decapitate the hens...especially if there was more than one coon. Unless they were interrupted...I dunno. Whatever it is will be back for the last one.

 

[Phage]

Maybe bobcat or loose dog.

 

[lisa760]

Yikes, that sounds terrible! The survivor is going to have a hard time alone!

 

[enzolove]

Yes, Thelma is lonely. I'm looking to rebuild my small flock. Would really like to find at least one hen to keep her company right away. Anyone have pullets or hens available?

 

[Amarisus]

Yes, Thelma is lonely. I'm looking to rebuild my small flock. Would really like to find at least one hen to keep her company right away. Anyone have pullets or hens available?

So sorry for your loss

How old is she? I have a blue laced red Wyandotte that is 6 months old, I also have a couple of 1 year old hens that are for sale.

 

[enzolove]

So sorry for your loss

How old is she? I have a blue laced red Wyandotte that is 6 months old, I also have a couple of 1 year old hens that are for sale.

She is 3 years old. I'm interested in your Wyandotte, is it a hen or is the verdict still out?

 

[chickypeps]

Went outside today to discover a red shoulder hawk in my big pine tree and the remains of Oddball, my little 5 week sussex, under the clothesline. Poop.

 

[OffGridMAMA]

I'm so sorry! Predator loss is always hard


I've not had much time unfortunately to enjoy my chickens for over a month now. Dad had surgery and many complications , thankful he is doing better. I've become his primary caregiver and its been really hard. The animals are all being fed and watered, but nothing else . My turkeys are growing like weeds,and I have some beautiful polish, Swedish flower, cochins and penciled rocks that I'm looking forward to breeding come spring. I'm getting zero eggs at the moment.How is everyone else doing?

 

[malndobe]

I'm getting zero eggs at the moment.How is everyone else doing?

I'm getting about 8 a day, mostly from my Indian Runners. I have a group of 6-9 month old girls (Black Jersey Giant, Prod Red, Cuckoo Maran, Orpington) who are giving me 1-3 eggs a day right now, I'm not sure if one of them has started laying yet so they aren't doing badly. The BLRW hens aren't laying a thing, but they are molting.

 

[alisar]

Oh no! Hope he gets better fast. I keep thinking something is stealing my eggs, but they are probably just not laying too. But sometimes I'll get a big batch of eggs on one day...woohoo!