South Carolina

[CarolinaChickenKeeper]

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I know owls will only eat the heads off of the chickens they kill. Raccoons make a terrible mess and usually tear the birds to shreds.

Feathers were everywhere. Chunk pulled out. Hole torn in it's back. Neck and head gone

 

[Joycats]

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I know owls will only eat the heads off of the chickens they kill. Raccoons make a terrible mess and usually tear the birds to shreds.

Feathers were everywhere. Chunk pulled out. Hole torn in it's back. Neck and head gone

So sorry - a friend of mine has raccoons that are climbing into his chicken yard and stealing chickens. They actually carry them away, he has followed the trail of feathers. Usually raccoons leave a mess, fox will carry them away, not sure what opposums do, coyotes take them away and owls eat the heads and leave the rest of the bird. Could have been a hawk, I've had that happen once this summer. Hawk flew into a breeder run and sat inside the fence eating the bird.

 

[CarolinaChickenKeeper]

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Feathers were everywhere. Chunk pulled out. Hole torn in it's back. Neck and head gone

So sorry - a friend of mine has raccoons that are climbing into his chicken yard and stealing chickens. They actually carry them away, he has followed the trail of feathers. Usually raccoons leave a mess, fox will carry them away, not sure what opposums do, coyotes take them away and owls eat the heads and leave the rest of the bird. Could have been a hawk, I've had that happen once this summer. Hawk flew into a breeder run and sat inside the fence eating the bird.

Just wonderful!!!

 

[gavinandallison]

Does anyone here in SC keep Light Sussex?

 

[phoneman]

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i have light (split) sussex and i have cornation sussex. pictures dont do them justice. they are huge and very pretty birds. they are fast becoming my faverite.

 

[rtda4]

Wanted to say thanks to Susanne. I enjoyed visiting your farm. The Fench Marans I purchased form you are doing wonderful. Thank you again. You have a cute place for your chickens.

 

[huckleberryfarm]

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Feathers were everywhere. Chunk pulled out. Hole torn in it's back. Neck and head gone

So sorry - a friend of mine has raccoons that are climbing into his chicken yard and stealing chickens. They actually carry them away, he has followed the trail of feathers. Usually raccoons leave a mess, fox will carry them away, not sure what opposums do, coyotes take them away and owls eat the heads and leave the rest of the bird. Could have been a hawk, I've had that happen once this summer. Hawk flew into a breeder run and sat inside the fence eating the bird.

Our hawk just ripped the head off and ate part of it if he had time. Never took the body. Something got in my Marans run a few weeks ago. Went through a small opening and left a mass of feathers everywhere but the body was gone. I have no idea how it got the body out of where I think the predator got in. But she was gone. We figured either a raccoon or an owl. I had seen an owl earlier that day up at the front of the farm. Every day when I get to the farm or go out in the morning, I just pray that nothing has gotten in to any of the coops/runs. We've done what we can to predator-proof them but it's never enough.

Sorry you lost your silkie!

 

[huckleberryfarm]

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It was great meeting you too! Keep me posted on how everyone is doing!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

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I would not have an open top pen except that Jolie has been so good to help keep nasty attacks at bay. I have lost a few still but she can't seem to be every where at once. I highly recommend a LGD. They more than pay for themselves!

I have 5 new chicks that just hatched under my Silkies in Flash's pen. I worry about them but I like my Silkies to raise some chicks. Fancy has always been a good mama and with Miss Muffet in a different pen Fancy has a chance to care for these herself. And Miss Muffet is still laying and hasn't gone broody on me without Fancy there for encouragement!

 

[gvilledh]

Just read 14 pages, playing catch-up! Amazing how much you miss when away from the board for a couple of days! Here's a picture of Cagney, one of our SLW's. She is becoming a big girl and getting those wattles now. At this rate, she or our Marans will be the first to lay, but they still have at least 8 weeks.

The girls are getting a new gate on the front of their run tomorrow. It will be so much easier for Lou Ann and I to go in and out and the best part-they will get to free-range some on our days off and in the evenings for a few weeks before it gets too dark. I can't wait!