Surprise guests in the pea pen...

[new 2 pfowl]

Inspired by Zaz, I bought a trail camera...

Peggy...



and guests...



Needless to say this is quite distressing!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

OMG! Were the birds right there on the roosts or where they locked up somewhere else?

I seriously want animal cams! I would not know where to even start putting them though. I may need about 10 here around the farm! I bet I will be as distressed as you are considering I have LGDs.

 

[new 2 pfowl]

Not only was Peggy in the pen but he sleeps on the ground (don't ask me why, he has a lovely roost).

 

[WestKnollAmy]

NO! OMG, I would be freaking out!

Although I am sure since you saw this you have taken action but it is just the thought that it did happen and Peggy was safe and sound this time around. Horrifying, I tell you!

 

[zazouse]

See ya just never believe what lurks around at night when you are sleeping.
Great catch there.

 

[Trefoil]

That's a good reason to predator proof your pens, if there had been a nest, the skunks probably would have gotten the eggs. You probably don't have a big mice problems though you probably need to tighten up your fences before you have eggs or baby peas running around

 

[AugeredIn]

The skunks MIGHT eat the eggs but most likely not in my experience. Skunks are the only critters we don't mind in the yard. They are actually quite friendly. We have a family that will let you walk right up to them. You just have to be careful not to startle them or you will be taking a long bath in with gallons of soap. Our barn cats have learned the hard way.

The ones in our yard will not harm birds large or small. They just walk around looking for and digging up grubs. We have tried giving them eggs and they were not interested.

Interestingly enough we have a pair of almost all white that come up every night. I will get a picture this weekend.

 

[Trefoil]

That's good to know, I always figured they must eat eggs because in my experience they don't bother birds and everyone seems to label them as predators. The problem is that if your fencing is loose enough to allow skunks in, its also loose enough to allow real predators, especially weasels and maybe coons in.

 

[new 2 pfowl]

OK, I think/hope I have really guest-proofed the pen now...tonight will be the test.
But in the meantime...
EEK! I have no idea how this guy fit his huge head through the only tiny hole in the pen???!!???



Zaz is so right, you have NO IDEA what happens out there when you are not looking.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I had a skunk come through one night and get one of my bantam Cochins through the wire. I found very little left of her but I could smell the skunk. I showed my LGD and fussed at her for not protecting the poor little dear so the next night the skunk came back.....and tangled with my Great Pyr. They must have had a heck of a fight because the whole side of my shed was sprayed, the dog was sprayed, the ground was rank and after that I never lost another bird in my barnyard nor do I smell skunks.


What is the fuzzy thing on the other side of the water?