If it has a reliable timestamp, and least he'll know what time to be on the lookout. Yes, I agree the predator needs a bit more metal in it's diet. Feed it some lead.
The Evolution of Atlas: A Breeding (and Chat) Thread
- Thread starter speckledhen
- Start date
Whatever it is, it is very bold to kill 2 full grown turkey hens. I'm starting to lean towards coyote since they have been seen down that way in the past. I'm sure my husband is excited to get to hunt something again.
Two of the turkey hens flew the coop last night and attempted to roost on a fence in the open. We caught them at dusk and clipped their wings. They obviously were spooked enough to want out of there.
- Thread starter
- #11,623
Seems a coyote would carry the hens off. Have you thought of a bobcat? BUT, seems a bobcat would also take the prey, right? I am almost 100% positive that's what took Suede's huge 12 lb son, Hector, from Ladyhawk's front porch right before roost time. Hector always brought up the rear as they were going back to the coop for the night. Not one rooster alarmed, not even the D'Anvers, and they are so alert. For something to sneak a rooster of that size off without a sound or a feather left behind, it had to be a bobcat, not a coyote. After that, there were bobcat sightings, but we'd already figured it had to be a stealthy cat. Nothing has changed my mind about that. She's had coyotes and foxes snatch birds, but they always seem to have a feather strike point. She searched high and wide and never found one of his bright red feathers. Crazy. That is why my Hector has his name.
- Thread starter
- #11,624
Oh, let me tell you about something that happened yesterday that could have been tragic for my Belgian D'Anver hen, Aimee, if I had not known Aimee so well.
The bantams were in the barn and I was going to herd them into the back pen, but I couldn't find Aimee. Sissy was standing at the edge of the back storage area where we keep a bale of hay sitting end-up inside a huge plastic garbage bag and pull it out as needed. I had gotten some hay yesterday, but didn't twist the top closed like I usually do. I got everyone else in the pen, then began to look for Aimee, who is usually front-and-center. Then, a spark in my mind...she wouldn't, would she? The top of the bag was loosely falling over to the side and I pulled it up and there was Aimee, having made her a nice nest in the hay. If I had just twisted the top closed, that crazy little wench would have suffocated in the bag.
Those bantams drive me nuts when they free range. You cannot herd them. You've herd the term "herding cats"? Try herding Belgian D'Anvers, six little critters who scatter ten directions, plus one really brain-dead rooster who runs in circles, turning dark purple while he stresses out like we're trying to cook him for supper. Sheesh.
The bantams were in the barn and I was going to herd them into the back pen, but I couldn't find Aimee. Sissy was standing at the edge of the back storage area where we keep a bale of hay sitting end-up inside a huge plastic garbage bag and pull it out as needed. I had gotten some hay yesterday, but didn't twist the top closed like I usually do. I got everyone else in the pen, then began to look for Aimee, who is usually front-and-center. Then, a spark in my mind...she wouldn't, would she? The top of the bag was loosely falling over to the side and I pulled it up and there was Aimee, having made her a nice nest in the hay. If I had just twisted the top closed, that crazy little wench would have suffocated in the bag.
Those bantams drive me nuts when they free range. You cannot herd them. You've herd the term "herding cats"? Try herding Belgian D'Anvers, six little critters who scatter ten directions, plus one really brain-dead rooster who runs in circles, turning dark purple while he stresses out like we're trying to cook him for supper. Sheesh.
I'm glad you noticed her missing, and found her.
- Thread starter
- #11,626
Hard not to notice a hen as active and LOUD as Aimee. But, she was being completely silent and it could have been her downfall, if I wasn't wise to her habits already.
That mini goober rooster must have 9 lines
- Thread starter
- #11,628
I've had it with idiot roosters! Hector has been trying to breed Jill while she sits on the floor in the corner! He has started scraping up her sides! I had to pull her out of the pen and put her in the only extra pen I have by herself. So the idiot has only Thea, won't accept Jane and Maddie. So I don't know what to do with the dummy.
The Brahmas free ranged today. It was hot, but not overly so. When I went to find Bash and his girls, I saw him down the hill near the blueberry bushes. He began walking up the hill toward me very, very slowly. I did not see any of his hens. I looked behind him under the Leylands, thinking they may be dustbathing under there in the soft dirt, but saw no hens. He is *never* without his girls. He was panting a lot, could hear him breathing and he acted oddly, sort of dazed. Finally, I located his hens on the other side of the property near the row of Leyland Cypress trees by the power line easement road, all of them (except Brandy, who went back inside to her nest-she's still broody after a month and no eggs to sit on). He didn't seem particularly concerned about them, wasn't calling them, nothing. That is so unlike Bash! I was very worried he'd somehow become overheated in spite of it not being all that scorching. The humidity was not super high, either. When I got them all back inside the barn, his hens were gathered around him, touching him. It was just so weird. He acted really, really sleepy, too. So, not sure if it's the heat or something else was going on with him.
The Brahmas free ranged today. It was hot, but not overly so. When I went to find Bash and his girls, I saw him down the hill near the blueberry bushes. He began walking up the hill toward me very, very slowly. I did not see any of his hens. I looked behind him under the Leylands, thinking they may be dustbathing under there in the soft dirt, but saw no hens. He is *never* without his girls. He was panting a lot, could hear him breathing and he acted oddly, sort of dazed. Finally, I located his hens on the other side of the property near the row of Leyland Cypress trees by the power line easement road, all of them (except Brandy, who went back inside to her nest-she's still broody after a month and no eggs to sit on). He didn't seem particularly concerned about them, wasn't calling them, nothing. That is so unlike Bash! I was very worried he'd somehow become overheated in spite of it not being all that scorching. The humidity was not super high, either. When I got them all back inside the barn, his hens were gathered around him, touching him. It was just so weird. He acted really, really sleepy, too. So, not sure if it's the heat or something else was going on with him.
My bantams are impossible to herd to. They are such goofs running and squawking like I'm the boogeyman. Glad you found Aimee.
It seems our bad luck continues. No pictures again. Replaced the batteries and will try once more than give up at least with the carcasses. I see the fence at the end of the run looks pushed in, so something came back. I just don't know what. I don't think I will lose anymore as long as they don't sit out there again, and they go in their shed at night.
It seems our bad luck continues. No pictures again. Replaced the batteries and will try once more than give up at least with the carcasses. I see the fence at the end of the run looks pushed in, so something came back. I just don't know what. I don't think I will lose anymore as long as they don't sit out there again, and they go in their shed at night.
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