The adventures of Barbara (BR)

[axion_lotus]

Not only are possums sneaky and not picky when it comes to eggs, chicks or chickens, but they're cruel to the animals they hunt, especially chickens. They like torturing their prey to death. It's sickening, and for anyone's hens, it's a terrible way to go.

The possum that ate my flock last year squeezed through the ventilation holes near the roof, and chased the hens around until they couldn't run anymore, and when he finally caught them, he ripped them to pieces, pulled out their internal organs and ate them, and then sucked all the blood out of the corpses and left the bodies there to rot.

I frickin' hate possums. That stupid possum was too lazy to go and hunt something that could actually run away, no. It had to saunter its fat, stupid butt into MY coop and feed on the birds I'd raised since hatchlings and called to by name.

Sorry to rant. I truly, absolutely HATE possums.

 

[specklesmom]

How awful, A-Lotus! Plus, possums STINK....really, really stink. So sad to lose an innocent chicken to any predator; it really is always a challenge to try to anticipate all the ways it is necessary to protect chickens. They are so vulnerable to many, many dangers. Those of us who are unable to have protective roosters have even more difficulty in guarding our darling girls.

Mrs. Chickendad, you are a wonder!!! So many of us appreciate your clever and hilarious reports on Barbara and your fowl family. THANK YOU!!!! We read and re-read your Barbara Adventure Reports, laughing all the way. Hope you know how very much your writing is enjoyed and appreciated!!

Give Barbara a big hug for us!

 

[birdlover]

RIP Specky Becky.

 

[axion_lotus]

Quote:
Thank you very much for your sympathy. It is difficult sometimes to protect our hens, because it seems like everything that crawls wants a bite out of a sweet little chicken!

I say angry things because I miss my hens.

 

[ParadisePoultry]

Quote:
this picture just cracks me up. It looks like the cat is thinking-"Yes, it's ALL about ME". And then there's the dog in the background thinking " Hey whaddabout me?"

 

[JennH07]

Mrs Chickendad, Hawks do migrate, at least the adults, the juviniles usually stay in the area where they were born for the first year or two. Sorry about your Specky Becky!! That truely does suck!

 

[MrsChickendad]

Quote:
We have been fortunate in only losing two birds to hawks in the last four years. This Coopers Hawk was a juvenile, and in our area the summer and winter ranges overlap. I haven't seen him today, but have been watching. We see red tails and marsh hawks all winter.

 

[awesomefowl]

We have trapped and shot 4 possums so far. they sneak in and eat my chicken feed.

 

[Justuschicks]

My cat thinks he is a dog because he grew up w/ my husky. The pointer just wants to eat the cat....and my chickens. Will someone tell me why I would ok a bird dog on a chicken farm??? Baaad idea! Had an adverture/scare of my own this evening. I went to lock down my chickens for the night and my recovering easter egger was missing in action. Me and two of my kids were out with tears and flash lights trying to find her. I thought the worst once I saw all the dirt in front of my pen 1 & 2 all roughed up as if there was a struggle. Turns out after running around crazy in the country dark, that she was sitting on top of one of our jet skis just watching us in her chicken stuper. I never kissed a chicken until tonight. Guess there wasn't a struggle, she is my biggest digger. I love my Milly! Looks like a trip to Lowes is in order....must invest in some more chicken wire. Thank you thank you sweet Lord!

 

[Fuffy]

How horrid that the Funny Chicken took your girl! Such a shame!!!

Marsh Harriers, kestrels and sparrow hawks all hunt in the fields next to my garden. Luckily there are enough trees in my chicken run to deterr them!

And thank you all for the info on possums. I think I'm rather glad we don't have them over here!!!!