Washingtonians

[Cowgirlgrace]

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When I saw no bodies the thought crossed my mind but when I found the piles of feathers next door in the field and one clump has a piece of intestine on it I knew something else took them. It obviously ate a few birds in the field but I didn't see any blood anywhere. The latch would be fairly easy if something was jumping on the door it's just after that latch being there for 15 years and no predators but an eagle a couple of times and one night something was trying to get a pen of juveniles but got there in time. Whatever it was ran off in the dark and couldn't see it. Other than those incidences we have been very fortunate as far as predators. I guess I got too confident in thinking the latch was fine. I'm leaning towards coyote pack or wild dog pack. Too many birds just disappeared. I don't think it was working alone unless it was working all night.

 

[justbugged]

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That was DH's first thought when I told him. DH also sends his condolences on the loss.

 

[justbugged]

11 chickens are lot to eat by ones self. Still is odd that coyotes would be so quite.

 

[cheryl98117]

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When are you planning on doing this? I could always see if I can make time to come help you. I'm only about 4 miles away from you.

 

[jbear]

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We sold our goats, decided the move would be easier for us and less stressful on them. When we get settle well want to get some Nigerian Dwarf and maybe some Toggenburgs, after a year or so we will get some more Kiko's.

But yes I did trim them. You want to make sure that you do not cut to much off. Sometimes I just cut the curl off and sometime I will need to cut more off. Just dig all the dirt and organic stuff out and trim to the pad. I do trim to make the angle look like a little elf shoe. I will see if I can find a photo.

http://fiascofarm.com/goats/hoof-trim-rf.htm

Found a photo, not the one I wanted but it should help.

http://www.tripleeboergoats.com/Hoof Trimming.html

thanks! I think I am doing it right then... I love the Fiasco Farm page.. so many helpful links there, I didn't even think of going there first though!

renart--I can't imagine doing more the the TWO I have!! I don't have a stanchion.. yet, so I just have to sit on the ground with them tied up right now .. a stanchion would help I bet, but man, it's still tough!! lol! Ow my achin' back..

 

[Chickielady]

Coyotes never make a peep when they are on the kill. it would be stupid to do so.
They are far from stupid. The female will find a kill, and run out to feed her waiting puppies. The whole family can be involved.
The good part about this horror, is that they now have found food, and they will come back.
And you can be ready and waiting.
Make sure you have "no dig under" pens, and clips on all doors so they cannot knock the doors open,.
Traps can help, snares, a Nature Cam will take photos even at night..
I saw a nirghbor sprinkle white wheat flour all down a sidewalk one evening..he explained he wanted to catch a peeping tom, and tracks would be in the flour.
Stringing lines covered by sharp fishhooks is good, but avoid yourself or your animals.
Motion sensors lights help. I think the best thing is to hava a no dig fence surrounding the coop. You gotta go in the gate to get at the coop, and coyotes, dogs and such, cannot dig under or get through the fence or under the gate.
Sharp wire on top and around posts eliminates cats & coons, possums.. Net on top wards off birds of prey.

no can dig!

no can climb !
The coops are inside this fence.
The chicken doors have a swing bar with eyehooks that line up and take a clip to shut and keep them shut.
Unless a human thumbs the clip open, the bar cannot be lifted, and so the door cannot swing open.
The clips are the kind on horse leads..hope this helps.

 

[RonB]

Chickielady
My run is very similiar to yours. I have chicken wire buried one foot deep and one foot out from my fence. I ALSO have electric fence running 10" off the ground, 10" from the top and one right in the middle of my 5' high fence.. I have never had a preditor get in side my coop (in thre barn) or in the run. I haven't even seem evidence of anything trying to break in. I'm sure the coyotes and bobcats have had a taste of my fence. Yesterday I watched TWO coyotes walk through our pasture at 1:00 in the afternoon. They didn't even get within 30 yards of the run.

I think an electric fence is worth the $$$$$$.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

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Dog. That's not a coon print.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

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Domestic dog. Coyotes are smaller, more refined than that. Anything in the feline family would not show claws in their prints. Raccoons have little hand prints, slim fingers & longer palms.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

So who all is coming to the show in Monroe next month? I'm patiently waiting for the entry forms...

I'll be bringing some chickens to sell and maybe a gander...

If anyone's interested in buying any of these please let me know--that way I can save myself the "sale cage" fee.

The list:

Pair of calico bantam cochins $50
calico bantam cockerel $20
spangled Russian orloff cockerel (BANTAM) $25--if you buy him....you can have hatching eggs from my bantam spangled Russian orloff pen for a discount (free shipping) once the girls start laying later this spring
curly breasted (white) sebastopol gander $50
light Sussex hen (1+ year old, laying--just too much mossy-ness on her back for me to show her) direct from Greenfire $30

All prices are neg. to some extent...and the only trades I'd be interested in would for a white (curly-breasted) female sebbie (2 years old or younger) OR a splash Cochin pullet or hen (LF)