San Diego Chicken meetup and Chat thread

[Nikkipar]

Our weasel took out 7 of my baby chicks last year

 

[RHRanch]

This is worrisome to me. I sold some birds to someone in Escondido that said their neighbor has been losing chickens to weasels. I couldn't believe it! I didn't know we had weasels. Then about a week later coming home from Ramona I swore I saw this same thing standing up on the side of the road. Now I hear they're everywhere!! It concerns me because I know that one weasel can kill multiple chickens in one night, mostly by removing their heads for a late night delicacy. They can fit into a very tiny space...if they're heads can fit they can get their entire bodies through. I wonder if there is a population explosion in the county for some reason. I'd much rather deal with ground squirrels then weasels. My old neighbor said that it's been 20 years since he's seen any weasels up here in the mountains. I hope we continue that streak.

Thanks for the tips with the pecked pullet - I am pretty much doing what you said, and today she seems much better. She had been so badly pecked that her neck skin had rolled all the way down her neck like a tube sock. I knew if I didn't get the skin back up, she would most likely die, so I had to pull it back up and tape it in place then bandage it. She couldn't move her neck much so I have been hand feeding and watering her. Today the bandage came off and it looks good. She is eating and drinking herself, which is another good sign. Fingers crossed she will recover!!!!

I think the weasel explosion is coenciding with the squirrel explosion. To be honest, I have always (20+ years) had weasels living on my property and have yet to have one kill my chickens. I have have had wayyyy more problems with racoons, coyote and bobcat. Small chicks may be vulnerable, but if housed in a secure brooder they should be fine. Weasels are a sign of a healthy ecosystem, so I personally am pleased to see more of them this year. Keep in mind that many predators like racoons and Bobcats pull off heads too, so unless you catch a predator in the act, it can be hard to know what did it. For me, even if I have a predation problem, I never bother with trying to eliminate predators, another will come back, and when you are without predators you get overrun with rabbits, rodents and squirrels, which to me is the worse problem. For example, this year squirrels ate all our vegetable garden and stripped several hundred pounds of fruit from our fruit trees. I absolutely want and need predators like the weasel, coyotes and bobcats, and welcome them on my property. I just keep my animals locked up securely at night so that the predators are eating what they should be eating: squirrels, rats, mice and rabbits. Did you all know that a coyotes natural main diet is rodents, specifically field mice? Lock up your birds and put those predators to work for you, if you can!

 

[perchie.girl]

.........She is eating and drinking herself, which is another good sign. Fingers crossed she will recover!!!!

I think the weasel explosion is coinciding with the squirrel explosion. To be honest, I have always (20+ years) had weasels living on my property and have yet to have one kill my chickens. I have have had wayyyy more problems with racoons, coyote and bobcat. Small chicks may be vulnerable, but if housed in a secure brooder they should be fine. Weasels are a sign of a healthy ecosystem, so I personally am pleased to see more of them this year. Keep in mind that many predators like racoons and Bobcats pull off heads too, so unless you catch a predator in the act, it can be hard to know what did it. For me, even if I have a predation problem, I never bother with trying to eliminate predators, another will come back, and when you are without predators you get overrun with rabbits, rodents and squirrels, which to me is the worse problem. For example, this year squirrels ate all our vegetable garden and stripped several hundred pounds of fruit from our fruit trees. I absolutely want and need predators like the weasel, coyotes and bobcats, and welcome them on my property. I just keep my animals locked up securely at night so that the predators are eating what they should be eating: squirrels, rats, mice and rabbits. Did you all know that a coyotes natural main diet is rodents, specifically field mice? Lock up your birds and put those predators to work for you, if you can!

I couldn't have said it better.... There is something to be said of the way the Spanish used to build their homes with a solid adobe fence surrounding their property to keep their gardens and livestock safe. I have also heard another reason for those fences was to help deter snakes. What ever the construction its my goal to do this around my back yard. As you know I lost almost thirty guinea youngsters last year to something that was getting them through the chain link. The coop is a fortress now I want to extend that protection out to the runs eventually. I really like the idea of doing a solid wall at least two feet up then starting with the wire. At least on the predator side of the enclosures. I do like watching my birds do chicken brained things..... LOL. And Guinea brained or lack thereof things....

deb

 

[iamcraftqueen]

Watching eggs on day 21 for pipping..... almost like watching water boil or paint dry...... Hurry up and hatch!!!!

 

[Aumlet]

But way more frustrating than water-to-be boiled or drying paint. Because newly hatched chicks are so much more awesome than noodles or dry paint. Pip little chickens pip!!!

 

[aaajjss1]

I have been seein squirrels in my chickens pen as well, this is the first time I have ever really seen them on our property. My barn yard cat keeps going in there, she gets gophers and mice and stuff so maybe she will get the squirrels too!

 

[dfdesigns]

Watching eggs on day 21 for pipping..... almost like watching water boil or paint dry...... Hurry up and hatch!!!!

I can't wait to hear what you get! Any news?

My broody gave me a little peek at her babies last night - there are at least four (out of six). I'm going to take the camera out there this morning and see if I can get a few pictures.

 

[dedicateddourly]

I can't wait to hear what you get! Any news?

My broody gave me a little peek at her babies last night - there are at least four (out of six). I'm going to take the camera out there this morning and see if I can get a few pictures.

It's so exciting, isn't it? I went through the broody thing last year for the first time. I was in complete awe through the whole process. Can't wait to see the babies.

 

[dfdesigns]

Well, there are SIX!



I do not remember what eggs I let her have; I do see some brown and green or blue shells. (At the very least, they're all EEs. One of two may be pure Am.) I'm going to get them a new box set up today, so hopefully I can get a better look. Amelie was very accomodating by hopping out so I could see all of them...

 

[enzolove]

Black Australorp Needs New Home

I've recently acquired 2 new baby chickens, and the youngest is almost ready to leave the bathtub and join the flock in the coop. Problem is the coop houses 6 chickens max, and she'll be the 7th! My little flock is an assortment - 1 silver wyandotte, 1 rhode island red, 1 buff orpington, 1 bantam cochin, 1 americauna, and 2 black australorps. So I figure if I have to give one up, it's Thelma or Louise. Thelma is our lead chicken, so I think Louise (who is much sweeter anyway) would be the best choice. Anyone have room for sweet Louise? She's a healthy 1 1/2 year old hen.