Southern NY, Dutchess county and below

[luvmy33chicks]

Talking to my Mom this morning she said many years ago State Farm cancelled her for having my sisters pig there. They told her she was harboring live stock for the reason for cancelling.

 

[smkchick]

Quote:
It's like harboring a fugitive. Maybe we're all harboring killer chickens. *sigh* More corporate nonsense.

 

[smkchick]

So here's something we can all worry about. I got a text from Bobby today telling me that while he was working in the backyard a hawk came down a picked off a dove right in front of him. The hawk took the bird into the tree and Bobby scared it away. It dropped the dove to the ground. I have a picture, but it's pretty graphic. Looks like the poor little bird was attacked by some sci fi predator.

The next message from Bobby said simply "locked up chickens".

When I got home, he showed me the bird. It all happened not three feet from the chicken coop. Yikes. Now what?

He told me that all the girls were acting strange today. They were all roosting on and around the woodpile, very quiet. He said Gladys was extremely red in the face and no one came running for treats. He checked the woodpile (and so did I) but no hidden eggs.

Do we think maybe the girls were quiet because they knew the hawk was around? Gladys was squawking up a storm this morning.

I'm thinking I might keep them cooped up tomorrow just for my own peace of mind. Hopefully, if Gladys is ready to lay her first egg, being cooped up will ensure she lays it in the nesting box and not the woodpile.

Or am I just being an overprotective mommy?

And how does one get rid of hawks, anyway?

 

[stoopid]

There's no getting rid of hawks, once they find the all-you-can-eat buffet in your yard.
You are lucky you don't have bantams, one month I lost over 25 bantams.
It's harder to fly off with the larger chickens like Gladys and Aggie, but the babies still are a target.
And if it is hungry enough, it will go for the kill, and leave the body, or what's left of it there.
The only way to discourage a hawk is to cover the runs. They will still see them and freak out.
My guys give the warning call with all types of birds, even airplanes. They know.
I do try to feed the squirrels, they are just as tasty to a hawk...

 

[CatsCrazyCoop]

Hi.. sorry to butt in the middle...

My mom owns an Insurance Brokerage Firm... and she said that she is pretty sure they cannot cancel for chickens. I have an AMAZING AllState agent that I have been dealing with for years, and I really have been in good hands with him...

I can find out from him tomorrow about the chicken thing - or farming - or livestock, if you would like..
...and if any of you realy have insurance issues, I can get one of the people from the office (I work there too now, part-time) and they can really help ou - without having to worry about "lighting any fires"

Let me know.
I have AllState also.

 

[CatsCrazyCoop]

Quote:
It's like harboring a fugitive. Maybe we're all harboring killer chickens. *sigh* More corporate nonsense.

KILLER CHICKENS! RUN!

 

[smkchick]

Quote:
I'd love to have the straight story. I have Allstate, but as I said, they've never paid a claim. I don't really bother anymore. It's not worth the risk of cancellation. I've been thinking of raising my deductible to lower my rates. Since Bobby and I can do most repairs, it seems like a better idea than paying for insurance I'm not really using.

I've been thinking about shopping around. Think it's a good idea or should I just keep lying low?

 

[smkchick]

Quote:
Roberta, do the crossed wires you have over your yard help deter the hawks at all? Or should I just turn the entire yard into one big covered run? Because Bobby could use some more work around here. Maybe if we make a giant canopy of hardware mesh we can reduce the amount of leaves and snow too!

 

[smkchick]

This morning's reading? Raptor control. Another day in chicken paradise!

 

[stoopid]

Yeah, you saw that mess in my yard. What those strings do, is when they try to swoop in for the kill, it confuses the crap out of them.
Works to some extent, but for close range, not so good.
And once they set up camp in the neighborhood, it becomes close range.
I have tried the owls, CDs, scarecrows, music, police tape, etc.
Looks like I might hve to get the big dog, as nothing esle seems to work.
I bought the scarecrow sprinkler, want to mount them high up to see what happens.
That's for next spring. They say turkeys or peafowl also are a deterrent.
Can't wait for my peachick to get big...