Texas

[lauragutknecht]

Storey's book on raising chickens shows a very simple lean to you can make for your chickens to hide under. We plan on building a few to sprinkle around the acreage the chickens get to range on so they have protection if they can't make it back to the coop. Plywood and a couple of 2x4s to prop it up...very simple. Even *I* could do them

My flock has one of those metal carports and a type of lean-to like you mentioned. I also made some small enclosures out of wooden pallets put together that they can run into (Three pallets for three walls or 4 pallets for walls if one pallet has a couple of boards missing for entry, plus another pallet on top for shade, all tied together with baling wire.) for temporary shelter. They are not "pretty" , but on hot summer days, they often sit in these pallet shelters to keep cool.

 

[NickyPick]

My hens have plenty of cover - an entire barn. One gets eaten and the rest run to safety. I can't afford to be losing so many on a regular basis like this.

 

[carikermoon]

Hello everyone. I hope you are drying up. We actually had sunshine this afternoon! I brought my 5 week old chicks outside for quite a while today. It was so cute watching them scratch. I am looking for some easter eggers or ameraucanas. I have checked the local feed stores and craigs list but I can't seem to find any. Our local feed store was suppose to receive some and they were shorted. Does anyone know if there is a shortage of these breeds in North Texas! I live south west of Fort Worth. Does anyone else know where I can get a few.

I found some a couple of weeks ago at the Russell's on Jacksboro Hwy. Hope that helps.

 

[RoosterCogburn7]

Is anyone else having hawk issues? We usually have a red shouldered hawk hanging around and he's never been a problem. He just hangs out on the fence posts and waits for the hens to dig up something he thinks is edible. Lately, thought, a Cooper's hawk has shown up and has been taking my hens. I've had to keep them completely locked up and they are NOT happy about that, but I'm really tired of losing good hens the this cursed bird. How long til this hawk migrates out of here??

I hear they are allergic to shotgun shells.

 

[NickyPick]

I hear they are allergic to shotgun shells.

Ha. If only I knew how to shoot and had a gun. That's definitely on my to-do list before I move up to the land in Coldspring. Sam Houston behind my back fence, so I'll be able to take a more proactive predator protection plan. Right now, in a subdivision, I'd be terrified of accidentally shooting a neighbor!

On the other side - my new Aussie puppy has shown a remarkable instinct for herding. She's got all the moves to keep them moving in a direction, around corners and if one is particularly stubborn about getting back in, she'll pounce - mouth closed, paws crossed, and just hold the hen calmly until I get there! I'm totally flabbergasted! She's my 4th Aussie and none of the others have shown any herding instinct, just chase. After she gets spayed next month, I'm going to check out that place in Waller and see if we can get her trained to herd the proper way and listen to me as we go.

 

[Belott]

...

Ha.  If only I knew how to shoot and had a gun.  That's definitely on my to-do list before I move up to the land in Coldspring.  Sam Houston behind my back fence, so I'll be able to take a more proactive predator protection plan.  Right now, in a subdivision, I'd be terrified of accidentally shooting a neighbor!

Nicky,
I am going to assume that by your statement you are not aware that harassing much less shooting a hawk or any other federally protected bird is a felony.

Now I don't personally have any chickens that are worth a $15,000 fine and/or jail time, maybe yours are. Rooster Cogburns post was out of line as far as I am concerned as he did not also warn you of the consequences of the Hawks allergies if you decided to go that route. Nothing personal but in case you were not aware of the Federal Law concerning raptors.

In my Humble opinion there are only two options concerning Hawks.
1. Secure your chickens to protect from a raptor attack.
2. Accept the fact that if you allow your chickens to free range you will have the occasional loss.

Again I meant nothing personal to either you nor Rooster Cogburn.

David

 

[NickyPick]

I hear you David - it's all talk - venting. One of my closest friend works for the Forest Service and if I ever even thought seriously about hurting a hawk, she'd be all over me. She did tell me that this hawk is most likely hanging around because it found an easy source of food and if I can lock them up long enough for it to think otherwise, then I should be safe. Problem is bored hens that are turning their coop into a demilitarized zone - looks like bombs have gone off with all the holes!!

 

[Belott]

I hear Ya Nicky and I do understand. I don't understand why Hawks and some other raptors are still on the endangered list. Their population is so prolific it is just amazing how many there are.
I do feel that we should be able to protect our livestock from them but the consequences of shooting one if caught is just not worth it.

Hopefully it will leave soon and your chickens can get back to normal life!!!

David

 

[StelleKitten]

I had been looking for some EE's as well and haven't found any either. My physical therapist wanted one and I would I wouldn't mind one or two to add to my flock. But no one has had any. They had ordered them and got shorted or didn't get any at all. Or they couldn't get any. Other places are back ordered. Then there are others who want to charge an arm and a leg and maybe part of an eye for one.

It's been wet here but today was lovely. Got the garden tilled. Had to show a friend of mine how to use a tiller. It was interesting considering I learned from a man that only had one arm so my stye is a little unusual to say the least. But the garden is tilled. Now to rake out the grass and then hoe out the rows and add in the veggies that have been started in the kitcehn. It will be nice to have the kitchen table back again.

The baby goats are doing fine and so are the little chickies.

I forgot that my medicine made me sensitive to the sun and managed to blister my neck and my ears. That REALLY sucked.

As far as the hawk have you tried getting one of those exploderz guns? They shoot little gel beads. Feel kind of like jello. That would discourage the bird from hanging around without hurting it permanently.

 

[Tmoorie]

I found some a couple of weeks ago at the Russell's on Jacksboro Hwy. Hope that helps.

Thank you! I will check them out!