The 6th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long!

[Cynthia12]

 

[seminolewind]

Mottled Houdans arrived this morning

I had a few, then I got 2 more girls. They seem to be very affectionate. One sees me and howls until I come over and pick her up. Now her sister wants some too. They're nice fluffy chickens.

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

I had a few, then I got 2 more girls.  They seem to be very affectionate.  One sees me and howls until I come over and pick her up.  Now her sister wants some too.  They're nice fluffy chickens.

Indeed! And not too skittish, almost as friendly as my silkies. Love being able to pick them up in the yard without much chasing and fuss.

 

[Razadia]

I've had to fight with weasels over the past 4 years. I didn't even know they were in the area until I was up smoking at 1 am and one tried to haul a young hen off. Ok, no more young birds in the pen. They went after the eggs. I pulled some old nest boxes out of the duck pen, fixed them up, and mounted them 3 feet off the ground. Problem solved. We shoot every opossum and racoon we see. Runs are covered and we don't free range to keep hawks from getting the birds. Foxes are bribed with scraps at the very back of the property so they can keep the rodent population down. Snakes are either killed or booted off the property, depending on if they killed something or not. Stray dogs are shot on sight. If the owner cared they would keep their dogs in check. I've lost too many cats to stray dogs in the past 4 years. Plus 3 chickens. One of which belonged to my SO. He loved that roo. Coyotes aren't a problem yet, but the first time I lose an animal to one I'm sueing the company that's running them out of the woods. I can't blame the coyotes for trying to find a new hunting ground when their territory is being destroyed. Two coyotes have been hit on the highway less than a mile from me.

 

[Chrysolinsbirds]

Well my embden tapered off on the laying but I lucked out and get to add Toulouse to the hatch so yay =) set day for geese is tomorrow I think, I better check again =)

 

[Sherri Dowey]

Completely agree. I lost 10 hens to a possum before it was finally trapped a few years ago. And I have alot of trouble with snakes that eat eggs. Now I put plastic easter eggs in my nest boxes. The snakes can't tell the difference. Husband killed a fox that was getting too close to my chicken pens one day 2 years ago while he was out hunting on the lower part of our land. I don't mind, the wild animals as long as they leave my chickens and eggs alone. I know they have to eat also, but not at my expense. On the other hand, killing wild animals for no reason is just plain wrong. They were here before people were. And we're the one's invading their territory and killing off their food supply. It is a delicate balance that has to be maintained.

 

[Joshua G]

Oh no, my rooster Dixon died

. He never even got to see his first spring

.

Sorry to hear about your loss.
What caused it?

 

[kbarnes]

Hehehe.... I'm trying to figure out how long its going to take my hubby to realize there's a turkey living with the silkies right now.....

 

[Cynthia12]

 

[emvickrey]

I regret I'm gonna have to withdrawal from this HAL. I will be going out of town and don't want to burden my bird sitters with very young chicks.