Utah!

[hen-thusiast]

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Fox too! An electric fence on the coop made the fox stop coming around. Our biggest problem is the hawks. I'm pretty sure I watched a hawk strike on the neighbor's chicken a couple of days ago. We've warned him and he was home, so there wasn't much I could do. The hawk was low over their house... I blinked and he was gone. They are so aggressive here, once tried to take a chicken with us just feet away.

I'd say dogs will be your biggest problem. Most people I know (with chickens) have lost chickens to dogs. Not just their dogs, friend's dogs, neighbor's dogs, and random dogs too.

 

[kimmypie]

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Check KSL, there are a lot of people selling pullets.

 

[Cynthia12]

Ok, going to go ahead and let folks know that I will be going into lockdown next Tues with some Porcelain D'Uccles', should hatch on day 20, the bantams usually do hatch a day early. I've had people say they don't see many bantams around here, and it's true..not in Utah county..so, I've not had a problem selling them. I won't be charging much anyway...4 dollars a chick. I just want a couple of my own.
And, I have 30 Australorp eggs going in tomorrow, then I'll be done hatching this season..I think.

So, if anyone is interested in either a fun pretty bird to add to your flock, or you want a hatchaholic bird and get some nice eggs on a reg. basis, even through the winter, let me know. I'm thinking out of 30 eggs..I will be getting quite a few Australorps. Love these birds. They sheen that pretty turquoise color in the sun..and have fluffly butts.

The thing I love most in looks are the eyes. They have the sweetest eyes, and the temperament is the same..laid back and easy going birds.

 

[JerseyFresh]

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In West Jordan do you know what predators we need to look out for? My chicks will be ready to go out soon and I'm trying really hard to put something together for them but it's been so slow going with this pregnancy. I don't want to loose any. I've become quite attached to them. We have 3 cats and 1 dog. So far they are leaving them alone but they are in a big box in my living room.

If you're anywhere near water - stream, canal, river, pond - there'll definitely be racoons, plus skunks, various hawks/birds of prey and owls, mink, weasels, coyote, and even cougars. Our next door neighbor had cougar tracks in her flower beds this spring, probably following the deer that migrate through our neighborhood.

Plus dogs. Dogs probably do more damage than the other predators.

Just make sure your set-up is as secure as possible, especially for night-time. I've been super paranoid about it, but also have not lost any chickens. Our neighbors two doors down, however, are fairly lax, and have already lost two batches of ducklings this year. Our other neighbor lost 15 chickens to skunks. So I know predators are definitely in this neighborhood, but our girls are well-protected at night. I found all the info I needed to build a super secure coop here on BYC.

What Kim said.
I forgot about cougars and Coyotes. I grew up in Alpine and we'd occasionally find cougar tracks on our hikes to lake Hardy and surrounding areas. A little unnerving for a young boy scout.

 

[the-bird-man]

does anyone have suggestions on where i can get cheap, bulk sand that is chicken safe? i am in the salt lake valley. i had straw in my run but it got buried and i did not know it. it smelled like a swamp. so now i got to get some sand for as cheap as possible. i do have a way to pick some up too. i know of some places that sell it but i kinda want other peoples opinion.

 

[herbmom]

depending on how much you want Lowe's has 50lb play sand for about $4/bag but sometimes on sale for about $2.50. If you need a larger quantity there are some places I think on KSL? I'm new to this so can't offer much. My friend told me about the play sand at Lowe's for use for chickens.

 

[hen-thusiast]

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Those are two beautiful breeds! Although you couldn't get much more difference in size!

I hear you about the sheen in the sun, our black BLRW has that sheen and the fluffy butt.... but an opposite temperament. I wish we had room for a couple more chicks!

 

[sahmsister1]

Our cat just noticed the little chickens today...I wish I had a camera for the look of stunned disbelief that was on his fuzzy face!

I think his mouth was open. Made me double check all the doors, and security of the coop. I am already so in love with these darling little chicks.

 

[the-bird-man]

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one of our cats that goes after my parrots is scared of my girls, if she sees them she crys

i guess she did not know birds got that big. i told the cat if she goes after my parrots the chickens will have a talk with her

our other cat is too old to go after anything but at the same time she has never gone after birds.

 

[the-bird-man]

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thanks. i just talked to the people at tomsic and they have it for a great price but i checked my bank account and sand will have to wait a month or two.