Sometimes you get to even the score

[Free Feather]

If they are being called livestock, the person likely means to kill them. So, you are killing animals who NEED to hunt to live because they kill chickens, so you can turn around and kill the chickens anyways... What is the logic in this?

 

[123RedBeard]

Dead chickens lay no eggs!

Thomas has it right!

 

[enola]

If they are being called livestock, the person likely means to kill them. So, you are killing animals who NEED to hunt to live because they kill chickens, so you can turn around and kill the chickens anyways... What is the logic in this?

So, what is the logic in your statement?

 

[bobbi-j]

If they are being called livestock, the person likely means to kill them. So, you are killing animals who NEED to hunt to live because they kill chickens, so you can turn around and kill the chickens anyways... What is the logic in this?

The logic is, I'm raising these chickens for eggs and for meat. As 123Redbeard says, dead chickens don't lay eggs, and I'm raising them for MY consumption, not the local wildlife. Where I live there are plenty of other options for the raccoons and other critters to find food. They don't need to eat my chickens. Those animals that NEED to hunt can go hunt in my grove, in the fields, near the slough, by the lake. Lots of open area for them.

Really, if you don't like reading about predator elimination, I'll say it again - this might not be the best section of the forum for you visit. Other sections may be a little more favorable for you - Managing Your Flock, Incubation and Hatching Eggs, Chicken Behavior and Egg Laying - are all nice places go for information.

 

[thomasboyle]

If they are being called livestock, the person likely means to kill them. So, you are killing animals who NEED to hunt to live because they kill chickens, so you can turn around and kill the chickens anyways... What is the logic in this?

Free Feather, where did you get that definition of livestock from?

From Websters: Livestock - the horses, cattle, sheep, and other useful animals kept or raised on a farm or ranch.

From Dictionary.com: Livestock - cattle, horses, poultry, and similar animals kept for domestic use but not as pets, esp on a farm or ranch

I raise chickens and ducks, and don't kill any of them. They provide eggs, and I keep some, but sell most so I have money to buy their food. They live a very good life where they have free space to roam, have access to good food and water, and protection from predators. They typically die from old age, although I have lost some to predators. That's the risk of giving them space to roam. But I do what I can to keep predator losses to a minimum. That's where responsible livestock ownership comes in. My first line of defense is not a gun. I have invested considerable time and money in setting up effective perimeter fencing that will deter most predators. Then I have built a coop and run that have double layers of fencing, and finally I monitor my chickens and ducks closely. I don't let them out in the yard unless I am home, and I lock them safely in the run and coop every night, and let them out each morning. I have motion sensor cameras setup to keep me informed of what predators are about. I do all of this for the enjoyment of having chickens and ducks, and their protection is part of being a responsible livestock owner.

 

[minnehaha]

That is some impressive dispatching sir!

So sorry you lost your Willi girl.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

If they are being called livestock, the person likely means to kill them. So, you are killing animals who NEED to hunt to live because they kill chickens, so you can turn around and kill the chickens anyways... What is the logic in this?

It is as logical and natural for a farmer or shepherd to kill threats to his or her farm, crops, or livestock as it is natural for predators to kill and rip apart a chicken.

Furthermore as posters here prove animals living in the wild like members of the weasel family are likely to go on a killing spree and kill more chickens than the bloody meat loving vermin can consume. The likely reason in my mind is that these weasel family members are employing a scorched Earth policy to deal with competing predator species so the weasel can get the territory all to themselves.

The warm and fuzzy views many hold about mother nature are dangerously naïve. I for one would like to see the warm & fuzzes who set back and willingly allow a predator to kill their birds charged and prosecuted for animal neglect or cruelty.

 

[Free Feather]

I understand it is not warm and fuzzy. You do not "sit back" and watch them kill the birds, you make efforts to ensure they are properly secure. If you free range, you take the risk. It is not natural to kill animals for no reason other than to prevent possible, future deaths. You do not kill something for stuff that has not happened yet. But I am done. I was not trying to offend anyone, or cause issues. Everyone was speaking their opinions, so I was just sharing mine.

 

[coventryskyblue]

Well shot Sir!

I work in pest control. As soon as an animal damages property or poses a health risk it goes from being an animal to being a pest.

You were happy to live and let live. Bobcat wanted an easy life at your expense. Totally justified.

If bobcat wants chicken, bobcat can go and get a job, earn some money and buy/raise his own! A bobcat eating a southeast asian bird domesticated for thousands of years by another species is not natural; it's lazy.

 

[nikkers390]

I am a lover of nature. I find bobcats majestic and beautiful. UNTIL they invade my property and slaughter my poultry.
My chickens, ducks and geese are not raised for meat but for their beauty and eggs.
Putting aside the emotions one feels when cleaning up a predator kill, (think slaughter) there is also the monetary aspect.
I spent lots of money building a safe secure coop and run. I spend lots of money to feed them. I spend lots of time caring for them.
I am their stewart and they depend on me for their well being. I have acreage and they are allowed to free range a few hours of the day.
It is MY responsibility to keep them safe from predators.
Just because it is natural for a predator to kill and eat to survive, does not mean I should tolerate my coops to become their personal pantry.
I live in a rural part of Florida. LOTS of prey animals here. Rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice, not to mention reptiles and wild birds abound in great numbers.
Unfortunately they are more difficult to catch and my flock is easy pickins.
Would you not protect your child from a cougar or a bear? Or would you say the predator is just doing its thing and not interfere?
I depend on my flock for eggs to feed MY family and I definitely do not raise my poultry to feed the local wildlife.
I take no pleasure in killing anything. I don't even kill my chickens, but if I have the opportunity to kill an animal attacking my flock, I WILL.
Last year I lost nearly 50 chickens, 2 geese and 18 ducks to predators. Practically speaking, I lost more than birds. I lost time, money and the eggs I depended on to feed my family. That is not to mention the money, time and labor to replace the losses.

So. the point is your protect your own.
Love and Peace