Sara New Member Florida

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lilxera

lilxera

In the Brooder
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My name is Sara I currently on have 1 Americana hen(Caitlyn). I also have a silkie rooster (Big Mac), 2 Bourbon red turkeys (Bourbon and Scotch), a duck (Mavis) (not sure of the breed but he/she is all black with green and blue). I found out about backyard chicken just researching about my feather babies and enjoyed what I've read. I'm still learning new things all the time about my feather babies and am very interested. I strted with chickens and turkeys last spring 2014 we had 6 ducks 4 turkeys and 4 hens. One day when my daughter and I got home we went to go hang out with them and they were all dead we were slowly missing birds and then they all got attacked and they were all beheaded. We solved that problem this spring by moving them closer to the house. We live on 3 acres of land and had the 2014 birds in the far end of the property. So this spring we got more feather babies and they have all been doing well. I work as a barista in Florida and spend my extra time with my 2 children. They really enjoy having pets on top of the 5 birds we have we also have 2 cats and a dog. I really love animals and love all of them. Thanks for letting me join the group look forward to learning more :)
 
Hi :welcome Sara

Glad you could join the flock! That's a lovely mix of birds you have there. I'm sorry to hear you lost all your original birds :hugs Predator attacks sure can be devastating which I'm sure you found out. I too have suffered one by a fox and it was awful. It's lovely to hear you are now rebuilding with new babies. Have you checked out the learning centre? Lots of great articles and information there. Here is the link if you have not already checked it out ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

Wishing you the very best of luck in the future. Enjoy BYC :frow
 
Welcome to the BYC flock! We are very glad you decided to join us!

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welcome. There are some good resources on the site that explains the different types of wounds left on chickens. It could be a raccoon but the mink family love to cut the head off and drink the blood. They won't even eat the chicken. They will kill a whole flock. The worst part is that they can get into your coop with just an inch opening.

I hate to tell you but moving the coop closer to the house won't stop either from getting in your coop. You need to predator proof it. Again there are many ideas on this site. Hardware fence seems to be the most mentioned. Get the 1/2 inch because any bigger you will still give some animals the opportunity to get in.

Good luck
 
Mutt Farm said:
Welcome! :frow  What part of Fla?  Your predator sounds liks a raccoon. When I lived in Fla they were more common than stray cats!  I'm so sorry for your losses. Here's a great thread on the subject should you have questions or need help  https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/13/predators-and-pests
Also, you might want to shout out to your neighbors by wandering around on this helpful thread.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=Florida

Best of luck to you!
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I live in Saint Augustine. my fiancé thought maybe it was opossums he said that they attack and just eat the heads and leave the bodies. I'm not sure though maybe it was a raccoon. I've tried researching but I'm not he best of searching what I'm trying to learn I'm more of a book person.
 
lilxera said:
I live in Saint Augustine. my fiancé thought maybe it was opossums he said that they attack and just eat the heads and leave the bodies. I'm not sure though maybe it was a raccoon. I've tried researching but I'm not he best of searching what I'm trying to learn I'm more of a book person.
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Opossums generally will go after eggs or possibly babies. Mink and weasel are incredibly rare. I'd put my money on raccoon. Whichever, you'd be wise to be sure you use sturdy hardware cloth rather than chicken wire, as they can grab them right through the chicken wire and it wouldn't stand up to a bobcat. Here's a great list of predators from the extension service to help you identify threats . Best of luck!
http://www.extension.org/pages/7120...mall-and-backyard-poultry-flocks#.Ves6txHBzGc
 
Predators will find them wherever you put them. Once they've had a easy meal they keep coming back till there aren't any more. Electrified fencing usually will send them on their way - FAST!!
 

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