Utah!

[La Casa de Pollo]

how is the crow collar working

I did notice his crow sounding less forceful Saturday night, after I put it on he crowed a few times and it seemed a little better... He has a mellow crow to begin with I think, it is not shrill at all, it is more growly. I heard him going Sunday morning at 5:30, just maybe a dozen times then he stopped, the rooster down the street was louder I think. He did not crow again the entire day. So last night I tightened just a bit, and this morning I could not hear him at all with the window open, I don't know if he did not crow at all or if it was quieter...I was up at 5:30 though and heard nada so that is good. I just hope it is not too tight now, he is eating and drinking and seems fine. The previous owners said he does not crow much.

It was funny when I put it on, for about ten minutes he threw a fit...but he seems used to it now. I am waiting for this little silkie boy to get big enough to try his. He crows a ton but it is just teeny cheep cheepy crows. Very cute.

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

I am not a chicken breeding expert in any way, shape or form! So please don't take this as gospel truth! But the way I understand it culling doesn't necessarily mean killing. Doesn't it just mean that you remove the birds with undesirable characteristics from your breeding stock? I know a lot of people that would be perfectly happy with pet quality birds
Also, I'm very sorry about the kitties! That's heart breaking!

X 2

 

[ElkMtnCove]

Yes, it is the magpies. They are the only bird known to kill for sport! and right now they are feeding babies....massive nests, lots-o-kids. We try to dismantle nests before babies are born.

 

[ElkMtnCove]

how is the crow collar working

I'd love a link or more info on crow collars! I have too many banty/gamebird roos that I don't have the heart to "rehome or something"...

 

[bitsyhorse]

Yes, it is the magpies. They are the only bird known to kill for sport! and right now they are feeding babies....massive nests, lots-o-kids. We try to dismantle nests before babies are born.

wow... that's good to know.... I would have never thought of magpies.... do they only go for babies? or do you think they'd go for other juvenile to adult sizes (bantys) as well?

 

[ElkMtnCove]

Elk, I could not put the birds down just because they are DQ's....unless I was using them for meat...I think selling them as pet quality or layers is just fine. My two cents. I would cull them from the flock, but not from life entirely! Then keeping the ones with the best traits for the next generation in your own flock makes sense...

So sad about the kitties

Good to know, thank you! I was concerned the purists may look at it as getting unquality birds spawned in the US.

Thanks on the kitties, it was sad. They were so tiny and never had a chance.

 

[ElkMtnCove]

I have seen them kill adult wild birds but so far (that I know of) they have left my chickens alone. I did have one itty bitty red pyle hen (so cute and friendly, even hitched a ride in my truck to the store... I didn't see/hear here until she chortled and came running out from under the seat silly Izzy!...and she used to try to nest in the 16-penny nail boxes in the garage lol).

She went totally MIA and I went totally NUTS looking for her. I searched every inch of our place and cried for days. I kept praying she had hunkered down on an egg somewhere. I did see a chicken hawk a few days later but it could have been magpies. Listen for them, they make a bunch of noise when they're up to something. Dismantle their nests (if you can).

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

I had a magpie kill a 6 week old Polish chick last summer. She was in a portable four sided pen, on the grass, no top on, just a four sided moveable structure, it swooped down, pecked her eyeball out and pecked her a few more times hard then flew away when I ran out. I despise magpies, I can't find the positive about them other than their beautiful plumage. They are terrible predators!

 

[ElkMtnCove]

And magpies are covered in mites/whatever. They feed off roadkill (I suppose the only thing they are good for) but this gives them more chances to pick up diseases and spread the yuck around.

 

[Cynthia12]

I am loving my new rooster. He is keeping my Golden Sex Links in line so good! They are always creating trouble, feather picking, fighting, and I have one that thinks she is a he and seriously "mates" the other girls, jumps on the back, grabs the back of their neck with her beak, the whole business. A lot of my girls have the feathers rubbed off by their tail from her doing this, it has been making me crazy.

Mr Rooster (Tornado) sees her doing this and goes after her, it is great. Chases her all over the run and lets her know that is not her business. I love it, stinker needs to be put in her place. He has been trying to chase her down and jump on her himself, I have not seen him succeed yet, but her day is coming. Haha

This guy is a keeper!

I want one just like him! My RIR did not work out as you know. I am wanting to keep a cockerel silkie. Those collars better work!