Thanks Robert, that is very kind of you to offer. We've had people hunt here for the coyotes without luck. The last guy came with an electronic call, special super duper scope and high powered rifle and he was dressed in a full camo ghillie (sp) suit! NO LUCK, didn't even see a coyote. They tried the call several times but it just doesn't work. I even let them take one of my roos in a cage down into the woods with them to bait the call. Coyotes are very cunning. And I don't think you need any kind of license to hunt on your own property. Not sure if the electronic call is something different though. It doesn't matter to me anymore, I just want them gone. I now understand why sometimes Farmer's have to take matters into their own hands. We know people around here that use leg traps and catch coyotes. I don't know if that is legal or not and I wouldn't ever do that as I would be afraid I'd catch somebody's dog or cat. Plus I think it's cruel. But we're getting to a point where the legal road isn't working for nature. The coyotes are abundant and the wild game is getting scarce and the coyotes are a big nuisance. They cost us Farmer's a LOT of money. I saw Gail today at the Farmer's Market and got to chat about turkeys with her. I can't wait to add a few more as I believe I have the wrong breed for us. I'm pretty sure mine are intended for short lives (meat birds). I'm not sure if we'll be able to hatch from them as they don't breed and reproduce very well on their own. I will see what happens with them. But now I know that I do love turkeys and I'll have some more .... I really like those bourbon reds.
Well, life on the farm is hard. I've been moving my birds into a new coop. Hopefully a safer coop. I lost several birds last week to a fox or coyote. I've seen hawk attacks everyday this week. I found one hen dead in the nest box with her side ripped out. I'm pretty sure that was a hawk. And tonight I came home to find a coyote chasing my ducks around the front yard, 5 feet from my front porch! Of course by the time we got into the house to grab the gun and spotlight he was gone. This might be one time I wish I'd had my concealed weapon permit. I saw him coming into the yard just as I pulled up so I drove right into the front yard with the headlights on him. No doubt it was a coyote. Thank goodness I had left the cats inside because it was so cold. And what were my pyr girls doing? Sitting in their run watching without making a sound. At least I didn't hear them bark. And they are on my bad list because they nearly killed a leghorn hen that flew over into their run this morning. She's hanging in there. I don't know if she can pull through this or not. I put her in the brooder house to stay warm and quiet with antibiotics. Hope everybody is doing well, staying warm and "grounded" in all this wind. And if you're having predator problems like me, I hope you have your shotgun handy when you need it.
Also wanted to mention that there is a Farmer's Market Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Sharon Rose Farm, 1872 Sharon Road, Woodruff. This is where Reidville Rd intersects with Hwy 101 for you local people. There will be about 10 vendors and they always have different things. Usually fresh baked goods, winter greens and Native Meats will have their pasture raised chicken, beef, pork and lamb for sale. I'll be there selling eggs. It's held inside a horse barn so it's not too bad in cold weather. Just wanted to share in case someone is looking for something to do.
