Spoiled little velociraptors

[PeaShack]

I am so sorry for your losses. It is heartbreaking to lose them. We recently lost a rooster in our bachelor flock to a bobcat. It was our fault for forgetting to go out on time to close the coops.

His brothers were visibly shaken. His father (who is in the main area separated by a chicken wire fence) realized he was gone the next day and
paced the perimeter for days calling out for him. We are far more diligent now about closing the coops on time.

I hope you can work out a solution with the neighbors about their dogs…I imagine it could be either an easy fix or get quite complicated! I wonder how other members have dealt with similar situations?

 

[TheChickenGirl16]

They got another one yesterday, but she just lost some feathers. She's in shock so I separated her out. So far she's not eating, but at least it's available.

I’m so sorry about your losses.

Try a wet mash. Maybe it will entice her to eat.
Directions:
Put half a cup of feed in a bowl.
Add 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup of boiling water into it.
Stir well until combined.

Additional Options:
Add a pinch of scratch,
Mealworms, Fruit, vegetables, or rice
To perk the appetite.

 

[LaurenRitz]

I’m so sorry about your losses.

Try a wet mash. Maybe it will entice her to eat.
Directions:
Put half a cup of feed in a bowl.
Add 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup of boiling water into it.
Stir well until combined.

Additional Options:
Add a pinch of scratch,
Mealworms, Fruit, vegetables, or rice
To perk the appetite.

Thank you. She's eating now, and decided to go back in the coop tonight. If she's still lethargic (i.e., lets me easily catch her) she'll go back in isolation tomorrow.

When she feels well enough to run from me, I figure she doesn't need it anymore.

 

[TheChickenGirl16]

Thank you. She's eating now, and decided to go back in the coop tonight. If she's still lethargic (i.e., lets me easily catch her) she'll go back in isolation tomorrow.

When she feels well enough to run from me, I figure she doesn't need it anymore.

Sounds good!
Please keep us posted.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

We recently lost a rooster in our bachelor flock to a bobcat. It was our fault for forgetting to go out on time to close the coops.

We have bobcats as well. One morning I heard it hanging around in the bushes near the coop as I went up to let them out. The dog actually went on point to show me where it was so I unloaded a few rounds from my pistol into the tree the dog was pointing at. It hasn’t been as bold since but I make sure to keep an eye out every morning and evening. I’m not sure this trick will work for long—I might end up having to trap it but that’s a last resort. I suspect they aren’t easy to trap.

 

[LaurenRitz]

I'm not going to open the big coops until later in the day. A little crowded, but they'll just have to deal.

That leaves only the rafter roosters at risk. They usually forage as a group, so it'll be easier to keep track.

All the attacks so far have been in the chicken area and I need to secure the area I know they're coming through.

 

[Hartwood Hollow Farm]

I give my chickens worms--not interested. Caterpillars. They turn up their noses. And this morning, melon.

Nope. Not touching that!

Just pick up each and whisper in each chicken’s ear (so none of the other birds can hear)that if it does not eat, it will be…are you going to? Probably not…but they don’t know that and the other birds have no idea what you said to the other…it just adds to confusion….chicken psychology….lol

 

[TheChickenGirl16]

We have bobcats as well. One morning I heard it hanging around in the bushes near the coop as I went up to let them out. The dog actually went on point to show me where it was so I unloaded a few rounds from my pistol into the tree the dog was pointing at. It hasn’t been as bold since but I make sure to keep an eye out every morning and evening. I’m not sure this trick will work for long—I might end up having to trap it but that’s a last resort. I suspect they aren’t easy to trap.

Yeah, I have no idea how you would do that.
That’s so scary!