Texas

[JudysMuscovy]

I live in Conroe an hour north of Houston. I would say there are àlot of racoons and skunks too @SunHwaKwon

 

[AllenK RGV]

Thanks for the greeting. I was wondering what predators I will need to worry about down there. I grew up in Dallas but of course the state is huge so there can be big differences from one part to another.

Raptors particularly in winter, and like others have said possums, raccoons, stray dogs, stupid neighbors who let their dogs roam, coyotes, potentially javalina, ocelots, and jaguarundis. Apparently our wild pig population is off the chain from what I read in the news, the state baiting those wild pigs with poison via air as well could impact the flock albeit a rare thing. In Corpus you won't be poisoned by fracking gasses, but in the Eagle Ford region I have read numerous reports of that being an issue in the "Sour Gas" regions. I have yet to see or smell a skunk I'm 90 miles south of you but in north Texas they are common. Also, Corpus isn't really an agricultural region so it is good for not getting sprayed by crop dusters that is a big plus. There is a large refining and chemical manufacturing aspect to the Corpus region FWIW.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Raptors particularly in winter, and like others have said possums, raccoons, stray dogs, stupid neighbors who let their dogs roam, coyotes, potentially javalina, ocelots, and jaguarundis. Apparently our wild pig population is off the chain from what I read in the news, the state baiting those wild pigs with poison via air as well could impact the flock albeit a rare thing. In Corpus you won't be poisoned by fracking gasses, but in the Eagle Ford region I have read numerous reports of that being an issue in the "Sour Gas" regions. I have yet to see or smell a skunk I'm 90 miles south of you but in north Texas they are common. Also, Corpus isn't really an agricultural region so it is good for not getting sprayed by crop dusters that is a big plus. There is a large refining and chemical manufacturing aspect to the Corpus region FWIW.

Replying only to myself regarding Jaguarundi....https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/jag/

Says they are extinct in Texas, but I have had my dogs run two out of the Spanish Cane along the Arroyo Colorado since 2013. Apparently they do not range north past the King Ranch in Kingsville according to the same source.
editing since there haven't been replies yet.

My wife and I both agree this species is in Texas based on our personal observations. It is based on there are no other spotless long tailed small cat species that they could have been otherwise with a tawny fox red sheen. And to qualify for a documented sighting you have to basically run one over with your car so there is a corpse to examine scientifically.

 

[CacklingRanch]

Replying only to myself regarding Jaguarundi....https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/jag/

Says they are extinct in Texas, but I have had my dogs run two out of the Spanish Cane along the Arroyo Colorado since 2013. Apparently they do not range north past the King Ranch in Kingsville according to the same source.
editing since there haven't been replies yet.

My wife and I both agree this species is in Texas based on our personal observations. It is based on there are no other spotless long tailed small cat species that they could have been otherwise with a tawny fox red sheen. And to qualify for a documented sighting you have to basically run one over with your car so there is a corpse to examine scientifically.

There are several of these on my dad’s ranch down in Freer we see them all the time I know that they are in Texas.

 

[AllenK RGV]

There are several of these on my dad’s ranch down in Freer we see them all the time I know that they are in Texas.

Yep not ring tail cats(striped), or juvenile mountain lions(spots), there is no other animal I can think of with that long powerful tail in that size range and solitary.

 

[Hamiam]

Transport? That sounds pretty cool

I'm about 1/2 an hour north of peckadoodle, I would be willing to make a run north, if we can get a few more in between...lol

Something to think about in the future. If someone were to find a feathered friend that they wanted to rescue but didn't have a way to go get it. Make sure to reach out to other BYC Texas members to possibly set up a transport team to drive different legs of the trip. We all know how big Texas is! I know I would help if going thru the DFW area.

I recently adopted a cockerel from @Jenny K. who needed to rehome him. He is doing really well here with his own flock of 12.

(his legs look funny in the pic but will be feathers. He is a Bantam/Barred Rock mix

 

[TexasLisa]

Something to think about in the future. If someone were to find a feathered friend that they wanted to rescue but didn't have a way to go get it. Make sure to reach out to other BYC Texas members to possibly set up a transport team to drive different legs of the trip. We all know how big Texas is! I know I would help if going thru the DFW area.

I recently adopted a cockerel from @Jenny K. who needed to rehome him. He is doing really well here with his own flock of 12. View attachment 1236884 (his legs look funny in the pic but will be feathers. He is a Bantam/Barred Rock mix

Thanks for the update on the rooster. He is a beauty!

 

[Jenny K.]

I am so grateful and thankful that @Hamiam was able and willing to take in my sweet roo! He is much happier having his own flock and not having to compete with my other boys. With the help of BYC, I was able to connect with and find a great home for my roo!! Thank you @Hamiam!!
I think the transport group is a fantastic idea!

 

[AllenK RGV]

Brrr. North Texas and Austin forcasts tonight look horrid.

If you are worried about your birds getting too cold then grab some cracked corn from the feed store!

 

[AllenK RGV]

Brrr. North Texas and Austin forcasts tonight look horrid.

If you are worried about your birds getting too cold then grab some cracked corn from the feed store!

Just wanted to repost a more detailed why of my previous post from @centrarchid :

Welcome to BYC @moparchicken.

I have a lot of training in nutrition so will give you my take based on that. Corn is highly palatable so the birds like to eat it. Generally, even when they are satiated (full and not interested in eating more) on a typical chicken feed, they will still consume corn to pack more into their crop that will be depleted / emptied later where the energy is extracted to keep the bird warm through the bird's metabolism. The corn is relatively energy dense in that it contains a lot of calories relative to the space it occupies in the crop. When you have birds meet their nutritional needs by consuming feed, you can then follow up with some corn to pack in more calories. This can be particularly important on long cold winter nights when the crop is depleted well before birds begin feeding again the following morning. The intake associated with the corn makes so the crop has more calories to release for energy extraction for the duration of the night.

I use shell corn rather that cracked corn even for 3 week old chicks. They can handle particle size with ease. Make certain adequate grit is available.