The Old Folks Home

[chickadoodles]

Horrific end to a horrific week. At least I hope it's an end. Last Saturday there was a fox out. Our duck pair free ranges. I ran out and closed them up and my general rule is I lock them up a week to make the fox "move on" and then let them out. This morning I thought about keeping them in, but figured I was going to be home and it had been a week and they bolted as soon as they saw the open gate. I went into the bathroom a few minutes ago. The bathroom has a great double window overlooking the chicken coop. The chickens and turkeys were all freaked out and staring at a fox eating something. Turned out it was boy duck that the fox had just gotten.

My panic ended up waking BF up. BF sleeps in the emperors clothes and thought nothing of grabbing the rifle (I had the Walther hand gun) and sneaking out of the house, around the side and trying to get the fox that got the duck (he's a good boy). On the other side of the chicken pen was another red fox, trying to get girl duck. I could have gotten it but it would have scared the other fox that BF went after. I was ready to shoot if it came after girl duck, but wasn't going to risk it otherwise.

Both foxes got away.

Girl duck is miserable. I've posted her on the Maine thread hoping someone wants a really well behaved and good laying duck.

Aww SCG that is horrible! I am so sorry.

Maybe set some traps for those two when they come back.

 

[chickadoodles]

Quote: So very true! I spent 22 yrs of my life alone because I did not want any more men in my children's lives after my 2nd divorce. But after my kids were grown I asked my higher power for a soul mate and for him to be put in my lap so that I would know he was the one for me! And he did! Yahoo! I now have my soul mate and I have never been happier than I have in the last 5 years!

 

[superchemicalgirl]

BF just got back from tracking his fox. About 50 yards out he started to see blood. He did hit it. Wahoo! Couldn't find it, though.

I do have traps and my trapping license, but tomorrow morning me and Walther are going to be on the front porch, waiting.

 

[Bunnylady]

Quote: No thank goodness. My grand-daughter that is still in high school and living with her parents is going to be a mother at 18. I just don't think she is ready to be a mom she still throws temper tantrums when she does not get her own way like a 3 year old.
My niece still does that, and she's 25.

She has two kids fathered by a guy that's as useless as she is; her parents are basically raising their two children, and are considering getting legal custody of the kids to try to assure a more stable environment for them.

BUT, I also know some young women that seemed determined to self-destruct, that got "turned around" by motherhood . . . you never know. Praying that your granddaughter turns out to be one of those.

SCG, I'm really sorry to hear about the ducks. I've lost more birds than I can count to foxes; which is why none of mine free-range any more. A couple of weeks ago, I looked out to see two foxes just lounging near the pasture fence in the middle of the day - cheeky buggers!

 

[chickadoodles]

Quote: No thank goodness. My grand-daughter that is still in high school and living with her parents is going to be a mother at 18. I just don't think she is ready to be a mom she still throws temper tantrums when she does not get her own way like a 3 year old.
My niece still does that, and she's 25.

She has two kids fathered by a guy that's as useless as she is; her parents are basically raising their two children, and are considering getting legal custody of the kids to try to assure a more stable environment for them.

BUT, I also know some young women that seemed determined to self-destruct, that got "turned around" by motherhood . . . you never know. Praying that your granddaughter turns out to be one of those.

SCG, I'm really sorry to hear about the ducks. I've lost more birds than I can count to foxes; which is why none of mine free-range any more. A couple of weeks ago, I looked out to see two foxes just lounging near the pasture fence in the middle of the day - cheeky buggers!

Thanks Bunnylady. I pray she does also!

I had a fox come on our place last year it got quite a few of my chicks in the grow out pen before the dogs got it! Big dogs, traps or guns! They gotta go!

 

[superchemicalgirl]

We had a weasel or a skunk get into the hoop house last year and killed most of our juvies. I was a raving lunatic after that. That's also the day I signed up for trapping class.

 

[chickadoodles]

We had a weasel or a skunk get into the hoop house last year and killed most of our juvies. I was a raving lunatic after that. That's also the day I signed up for trapping class.

I hear ya! I have had some problems her but not that many so far really. And now that I am raising just turkey I don't have many that will mess with them except my own dumb dog now and then!

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Our toms are gigantic. They've also rubbed off their feathers on their chests by filling them with air and dragging them on the ground the last couple months.

I'm surprised they're so big, they really don't eat. They just puff and strut all day.

 

[chickadoodles]

Our toms are gigantic. They've also rubbed off their feathers on their chests by filling them with air and dragging them on the ground the last couple months.

I'm surprised they're so big, they really don't eat. They just puff and strut all day.

All my toms are huge and rub their chest full of air on the fencing all day keeping the feathers rubbed off. They look so funny bare chested but I bet they are cooler. lol Mine also strut all day!


My Bourbon Reds

My sweetgrass tom is getting more brown on him every day so it this hen.

This is my other sweetgrass hen. I just love her!

 

[bamadude]