Tattooing birds for ID

[vicki2x2]

How about microchips? You can get livestock chips fairly reasonable. Might be worth it for your best birds. You can implant them yourself. I buy my through Avid for my puppies.

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Thanks!
No, unfortunately, they are being stolen from her property. I've already told her I'd stand with her and back up her testimony that "it was dark and we thought it was a coyote".
The last episode (or the next to last) was caught on camera, but the quality was poor and the authorities couldn't make a positive identification. The general attitude from the authorities has been "bah, it's just chickens. don't bother us with this again".

I hope tattooing will give her a positive ID to pass along to the sales barns if it happens again.
The wing-web is not somewhere the thieves would think to look.
'Preciate it!
Oh, I don't think chips would be much help unless they scan for those at the sales --- but it's a good idea.

Lisa

 

[Pathfinders]

Having had valuable birds stolen by two-legged predators, I can certainly relate.

When I spoke to my sheriff about this, his comment to me was (and I quote), "Just remember, any bodies we find have to be IN your house when we get there."



Since the theft (when the thieves actually cut through hardware cloth that was bolted over the window to get in), we had the electric company put a big light on the utility pole closest to the barn. We also have several big dogs and guns, but it's the light that seems to have done the trick.

If I had repeat predators of that nature, I might spend a few nights in the barn waiting with my gun, but that's just me...

 

[Smoky73]

And tattoos would probably work well, unless your talking silkies with black skin.....

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

"Just remember, any bodies we find have to be IN your house when we get there."

Hi! I've heard that before.
I think it's worth mentioning that some people do not have it within themselves (for many reasons --- mentally, emotionally, morally, or physically) to shoot at another person unless in the most defensive situation or this thievery would have been stopped already.

Lisa​

 

[Chris09]

"Just remember, any bodies we find have to be IN your house when we get there."

I have been told that before... LOL

Smoky73: And tattoos would probably work well, unless your talking silkies with black skin.....

You just have to use color ink other than Black or Green.. You could use Yellow..

Chris​

 

[McCord6]

I have already thought of that issue since we have several chicken farmers in my area and most of them I don't know.

I spoke to the sheriff department and he told me to rather tattoo them or chip them and keep a picture and printed record of each and every one of my birds. He also said to install hidden cameras around the coops is also a good idea. If anyone steals my chickens, they probably wont make it far since the sheriff department will already have a document of all IDed chickens that are mine. People here take livestocks very seriously. They dont' care if it is just a chicken that is stolen, serious action will be taken.

 

[Sunny the Hippie Chick]

Quote:
I would use white ink on the black skinned silkie...

And tattooing would be a good idea to ID the birds. I tattooed a duck before to ID it. I did it on the web of its foot. The only problem with that is you have to keep its feet dry and out of dirt until it is healed. And its not very visiable when the ducks swim and get their feet muddy. Then you only need to wash the dirt off to reveal the tat.

Oh and if you dont really want to shoot them. But ID the theif later. Buy a paint ball gun. Freeze the paint balls. They leave nice welts which you can ID the theif if they get hit in a visiable place. Maybe throw in a few non frozen paintballs so you can mark them with color also..

 

[Sooner]

Agreed that most person's don't or can't shoot someone (thank goodness) but as said above you can sure scare the crap out of them and I really like the paintball idea, only thing with that is that should they be hurt they can sue you. If you read enough stories on the internet ect. you will find honest people being sued by criminals and getting the judgement. Maybe a motion light along with a motion sprinkler....

 

[Pathfinders]

Quote:
I like the motion sprinkler idea, now if you could somehow load it with lemon juice or other irritant!