Security Cameras Saved My Chickens

[HerbtheRoostersDad]

I checked on my chickens this morning only to find four of my hens dead. Immediately I thought H5N1 and panicked about the remaining flock and the baby chicks in my pool room. Should I call the authorities, who would surely euthanize the remaining chickens. What about the babies? So I safely buried the dead birds and waiting a bit. Something didn't square. There haven't been any cases in my county, and my flock is in an enclosed run, protected from wild birds, on 120 secluded acres. And one hen's head was nearly severed. So I checked my security camera. Weasel. Not the best news, but I was glad it wasn't the flu. That seemed scarier. So I spent the day fixing the ventilation windows at the top of my coop and checked for gaps elsewhere. I ordered 100 ft. of 1/4" hardware cloth to extend what I have to the top of the run (I only had it 3 ft. high on top of the more robust but more widely spaced wire fencing. Waiting for my new little rooster to grow up quickly, since I lost my old rooster last month. Can't help thinking he helped deter some predators. He was extremely friendly but very intimidating!

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

What a little . Side note: if you ever do suspect there is bird flu in your flock do not report it. They will euthanize every bird you own. They won’t test for it, they won’t be cool about it, they will just do it. There is a thread on here from a few years ago where someone just called to ask what the symptoms were and they killed all her chickens, geese and ducks. I will have to see if I can find it…

 

[tigger19687]

Is that an Ermine?? So sorry
F-----ers hate them. They are so small it is hard to get them.
Not sure on the laws there but SSS works for me
take out the 1st S and put a T for trap??
For the time being, maybe you can get one of those Rat traps?

I hope it doesn't come back. The mess they make and don't even eat it all !

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I can’t find it. There are so many bird flu threads on here since then. But the story was heartbreaking. And what the officials that came to euthanize the birds told her was what made me so wary to report any symptoms. She didn’t even report symptoms-just called to ask what they were.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Sorry to go on a bird walk lol

 

[HerbtheRoostersDad]

What a little . Side note: if you ever do suspect there is bird flu in your flock do not report it. They will euthanize every bird you own. They won’t test for it, they won’t be cool about it, they will just do it. There is a thread on here from a few years ago where someone just called to ask what the symptoms were and they killed all her chickens, geese and ducks. I will have to see if I can find it…

That's exactly what I feared, hence the waiting before making a decision! Thanks for confirming that!