The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[kian]

I have this romantic couple that likes to roost in a tree right above my coop and run and fly around the neighborhood. They appear to be very much in love with each other, I never knew owls kissed? (see pic)

My question is, I keep hearing about hawks, falcons, etc. How much of a threat are these owls? My chicks are pretty big now and they are locked up at night, so is there a big worry about owls attacking them? Or will they only attack at night?

Thanks, Lynn

I have read about owls getting into the coop, sidling up to a hen on the roost and pulling it's head off.

These are so pretty (and WOW good photos!) though I'd just make sure the coop is secure at night and let those two have mice!

 

[kian]

What a gorgeous photo! (I love owls)

 

[Leahs Mom]

I wonder if there is some way to encourage those 2 to live somewhere else?

 

[cywiar merch]

What a gorgeous photo! (I love owls)

x2

 

[Bulldogma]

I have this romantic couple that likes to roost in a tree right above my coop and run and fly around the neighborhood. They appear to be very much in love with each other, I never knew owls kissed? (see pic)

My question is, I keep hearing about hawks, falcons, etc. How much of a threat are these owls? My chicks are pretty big now and they are locked up at night, so is there a big worry about owls attacking them? Or will they only attack at night?

Thanks, Lynn

These photos are wonderful... and what Delisha said. Guard your chickens.

Love the picture you posted, Del! Beautiful.

 

[Reina Rana]

My current flock includes:
13-week olds
9-SLW
5-Ameraucana/EE (1 cockerel )
1-white EE
1-BO
2-GLW (rumpless...?)
2-Speckled Sussex (1 cockeral)
3-NN (red, buff and what looks like BLR)
6-Mallard (2 drakes, i think)

10 week olds
6-production reds
6-TSC production layers...look like white leghorns

 

[armorfirelady]

So apparently blue heeler cattle dogs are forgetful.......she shocked herself again today after work :/

I never knew chicken poop was so tastey YUCK

Enjoying seeing what everyone has in their flocks. Never heard of buttercups so off to google to find them

Love the owls pictures.....I love owls to as long as they aren't near the coop

 

[armorfirelady]

I found this while browsing thru Pinterest........ It combines the talk we had about rain barrels & cup waterers http://

 

[Leahs Mom]

I was hoping to see more of that barrel setup but I can't find any more photos or a web site that goes w/it. Did you find more photos? I'm wondering about that pvc pipe to the left.

 

[NanaLynn]

I wonder if there is some way to encourage those 2 to live somewhere else?

That would be nice, they've been here for awhile though, so far I think our dog is keeping them away. She wants to be the only one to eat the chickens, we have her on a runner leash to keep her away too.

These photos are wonderful... and what Delisha said. Guard your chickens.

Love the picture you posted, Del! Beautiful.

..and thank you, that other pic of the two owls is awesome! I love owls too!