The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Scott H]

Yep...didn't even faze him...got him the next nite.

 

[AletaG]

Check the time of day at the bottom of the picture...
Easiest and best bait I have found for coons are miniature marshmallows....you can leave a little trail up to the trap and they drop right thu the top around the trigger pan.

Wish these idiots would quit feeding them....sigh.

X a bajillion. When we lived in Oregon, we had to have the state game people take a caught Raccoon. He was very fat and happy off our plum trees, and would come in any old time of day. When we got chickens, knew it would be an issue. Had to lose 3 pullets before we could get rid of it. The local laws where we were, and the close proximity/peering eyes of neighbors meant we had to follow the 'rules'. Stupid. Obviously, they are not endangered. However, they are a danger... to pets, people, livestock... Dumb fat raccoon was probably killed by someone who lived further out and could just take care of it. <sigh>

 

[SallyinIndiana]

If they stop feeding them the coons will become better of hunters before starving. I vote for the trap and dispose method. If you are good at it, you can make those hats for children like Boone or Crockett wear in the movies.

 

[Scott H]

They carry so many diseases.... but the Deadly Dung article gives me the chills...

 

[Leahs Mom]

They carry so many diseases.... but the Deadly Dung article gives me the chills...

whoa. I looked at the Purdue site after reading through that. Here is one article: http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/es...ccoon_roundworm_(baylisascaris_procyonis).txt

Interesting that it says eating the meat from an infested raccoon can spread it. I've know folks that advocate killing them and feeding them to their chickens. Not a good idea.

 

[mlowen]

Interesting that it says eating the meat from an infested raccoon can spread it.  I've know folks that advocate killing them and feeding them to their chickens.  Not a good idea.  :/

I saw a great documentary on raccoons and it mentioned these round worms. They warned about wearing good breathing protection if you clean out an old shed or garage (favorite raccoon dens in urban/suburban areas) because the eggs can be carried by the dust and you can breathe them in. *shudder*

 

[lalaland]

ok, keep in mind that I was a vegetarian for more than a decade. I still hardly ever purchase meat, maybe cook meat a few times a year.

I butchered 20 week old roosters last month.

I have a carcass in the freezer. It sat in the frig for a day and then went into the freezer. Now what?

Anyone have a sure fire simple way to cook the danged thing? I am hoping it will taste so good that I will want to do meaties next spring, but.....if I mess this up I possibly won't want to ever eat one of my chickens again. and if you are willing to make a suggestion, ummm....please don't assume I have a clue!

 

[TeaChick]

Thank you so much!
yeah the breeder is a friend who's teaching me about chicken husbandry.
Thanks. I had to use paper and pencil ( and eraser lol) but I figured out how to not NEED to trade roosters. I'll just segregate or sell all my pullets the year I keep a new roo.

 

[armorfirelady]

My electric pop door is from here: http://www.automaticchickencoopdoor.com/

I like it mostly for mornings because I'm gone way before dawn. Keeps them safe until the sun is well up and the night preds are in for the day.

I do check EVERY NIGHT to be sure they're all in.

I do to. Even when my Mom has done a head count when I am at work I go out there at 1130 at night to check again. Heck I check them a couple times after dark when I am home. Why? Only answer is because I can. I like the cooing noises they make to when I pet them

Awhile back I said I'd post a photo of the shower curtain "tarps" I put up. I wanted to make a wind break for the winter but wanted them to be able to see outside (and me in) so they would be aware of predators. I looked at "clear" tarps but none of them were clear and definitely kept you from seeing through.

Decided to try the heavy CLEAR PEVA shower curtain liners from Lowes. Have had them up for about 2 weeks and they made it through the tornado weather and sustained high winds we had last week. I thought they may tear easily but they did well. Attached them at the top with zip ties, then used medium sized clamps from Lowes to clip them down the edges.

They're making a great wind break when the wind is coming from the prevailing side.

Zip ties through the gromets.




Clamps (find in wood working dept.). $1.99 each.


When I took these photos it was raining so there was water on them. I imagine they may ice up at some point.



The whole gate side has the clear curtains.
(Look, Kassaundra! A sprout bag on a stick )

That's awesome. My girls are having a hard time going back in the coop via their covered walkway. They get out just fine but tonight was the 3rd night & my Mom still had to catch Sophie to toss her in.

The plastic is opaque & you cant see into it. I wonder if she could see them go in she would not have such a hard time? Probably not.........her name suits her well lol

 

[armorfirelady]

ok, keep in mind that I was a vegetarian for more than a decade. I still hardly ever purchase meat, maybe cook meat a few times a year.

I butchered 20 week old roosters last month.

I have a carcass in the freezer. It sat in the frig for a day and then went into the freezer. Now what?

Anyone have a sure fire simple way to cook the danged thing? I am hoping it will taste so good that I will want to do meaties next spring, but.....if I mess this up I possibly won't want to ever eat one of my chickens again. and if you are willing to make a suggestion, ummm....please don't assume I have a clue!

I have never culled one of my hens (yet) but I have learned the crock pot is a sure way to make anything tender. Throw it in with some water or chicken broth, some herbs & veggies for 8 hours & I am guessing the meat will just fall off.