Washingtonians

[RonB]

excel and KMHunter

Have you ever had any trouble with BOBCATS ??? Tues. morning I went out to let my chickens out of the barn into the run. when I walked around the run there was a bobcat 20ft away from me. he was in NO hurry to leave. he came back at 2:00pm while my chcikens were free ranging he tried to go around me several times but I managed to always stay between him and the flock. but he hung around till dark. Wed morning at 6:00am my dog went nuts wanting out. my wife let her out but didn't see anything. Haven't seen it since. I do have LOTs of electric fence up around my run. I'm hoping he had a run in with that. I have LOTS of juice running through the wire
The coyote that got two of my chicks in June came back too on Monday. but haven't seen him again.
I didn't know raising chickens could be so exciting or stressfull!!! I'm now getting five eggs a day from eight hens but my RIR's (2) don't seem to be laying yet. 23 weeks old tomorrow

 

[Greg Richardson]

Ron. Nope. We have seen them but quite a few blocks away. Our dog is outside at night. I have shot at some racoons about two months ago and they never came back. We mostly have dealt with racoons here. Cougars have got a few dogs but around here but they were chained up so didn't have a chance. City people move out here and tie their dogs up when we have a forest in our back yard. Makes no sense to me.

I have 8 chickens also at 28 weeks and still haven't got all 8 eggs in a day. Don't feel to bad. LOL!
Few times 7 but never 8.
Have 6 other chicks that should be laying come end of March.

 

[KMHunter]

RonB,

I haven't had any trouble with them. Although we did see one walk through our yard, but that was before I had chickens. I haven't seen one since. Some neoghbors have seen a cougar, and we definately have coyotes. I also have electric wire around the bottom of my coop and run. Hopefully it keeps out most predators.

 

[Tailfeathers]

Quote:
Ron, you can count on that potlicker coming back! Just the fact that he saw you and hung around tells me all I need to know.

A couple of years ago we had a bobcat prowling around here. He managed to get a ocuple of my ducks. One morning I got up and noticed something looked different on the bank of the pond. I got the binoculars out and sure enough, there was a bobcat crouched down and just waiting for another one of my ducks to make a mistake.

Fortunately, I had already fitted my trusty 12 gauge with a turkey super choke and had a couple of #2 shotgun shells (1 3/4 ounces) sitting by the ready. I walked out on the balcony, put the bead on him, and rolled him clean over at 40 yards. Final score: Bobcat plus 2 ducks. Royce plus 1 bobcat.

Moral of the story: Once a predator gets accustomed to knowing where there is a free lunch and easy meal coupled with a perceived lack of danger from humans, you can bet your last bottom dollar that they'll be back.

I saw another bobcat twice this year but haven't been able to get him yet. I'm pretty sure he got my prize winning Swedish Blue female earlier this year. She just up and disappeared two days before a show and there was nary a feather left behind. I have an 8' fence with a Beagle on the inside of it. I can't imagine what else could have made off with her and not left any sign behind.

Btw, you didn't mention where you live. If you're close, and you get that bobcat, and you don't want him, I'll take him. He'll look good on my wall next to the other varmints that have tried (and with some success) to make a meal out of my birds. Not to mention the other mounts I have. Plus, I have read a few times that cougar tastes a lot like pork. I'd be interested to see if bobcats do too. Might go good with a bowl of 'coon chili!

God Bless,

 

[Kittymomma]

Quote:
Cougar is even better than pork. The meat is sweeter and finer grained. DH got one several years ago and we still regret that we had so much of it made into pepperoni. If one of us ever gets another one we'll do as much as possible up into steaks.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

FREE COOP! I wish I was closer!!!

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/zip/1443169414.html

 

[KMHunter]

Quote:
I inquired about it yesterday and haven't heard anything back.

 

[weaveagarden]

Quote:
I don't think I could bring myself to eat cats. I am not usually grossed out, but the thought of cooked kitty makes me cringe.

I am not sure why, but I haven't been getting notices when posts go on here lately. Finally got one today, but none from yesterday, and look at all the activity. Hmmmm?

 

[weaveagarden]

Anybody have Barnevelders or Pendanesca that will be reproducing next year? Or is anybody ordering from Sandhill? If all goes as planned, I would like to have the four different dark choco egg layers. I have a Maren and a Welsummer already.

I have spoken with my 2 docs and both are going to help me try to keep 12 chickens and my rooster. They have both documented positive results since I have begun raising my chicken flock, and want me to continue. Yippee!!!!!

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

I had a Sandhill order but I think I'll be cancelling it. I've been waiting since March for my chicks and nothing.

I think I'll go IDEAL and cull heavily (Orloffs). Sighs. You might want to try the APA handbook for breeders...I've decided it's often cheaper to invest in a excellent pair of birds from a reputable breeder than it is to buy hatching eggs, hatch them out, feeding & caring for all the while chicks until they mature enough to sex them and then you have to often wait even longer for them to feather out so you know which ones you want to keep & which you need to sell. But of course after all that you can't even give away roosters and even with "laying" hens you can't get a good return on your "investment" with eggs.

**off soap box now** LOL

So I've been stalking these breeders with show quality birds and I found a pair of BLRW's for $160 (shipped). So I now have a monetary goal to reach before next summer! LOL