Washingtonians

[Zgoatlady]

I tried to let my chickens free range. My neighbors did for a few hours a day when they were home. We did fine for a while and then the coyotes discovered my chickens and they got 3 with in a week. I now let them out in a temporary electric fenced area with a kit that I bought from Ken cove. It keeps them from going too far, the dogs from chasing them and if I am home the preditors from grabbing a quick meal. I dont let them out unless I am home. If they fly over the fence then they are fair game and I have lost 1 hen and 2 roos in the year since I started this system. My neighbors and I have seen bobcats and coyotes in broad daylight so don't think they wont be checking out your flock.

I let most of my hens free range, but I have a fence and a nice big white dog great Pyr in with them.

 

[RonB]

Everybody gave EricaD such good advice I wasn't going to throw in my 2 cents. But now I will because I have a little bad news! I went out at 3:00pm to let my flock out to free range. I noticed my rooster Ricky Retardo wasn't with them so I went looking for him. I found a bunch of his feathers with blood on them in the corner of my big run. My run is five feet high with electric fence at the bottom , in the middle and at the top plus another strand a foot over that and then another one a foot over that so its seven feet high. I can't see any signs of anything getting under the fence and it isn't damaged in anyway like something went through it or over it! and the electric fence was working! It had to be a hawk or a eagle. Ricky was way bigger then any of the hawks we have around here! I'm not sure why it got him and not one of the smaller hens. The only thing I can think of is that the hens ran for cover and he might of stayed to fight or chase off what ever it was. I'm sure what ever it was will be back for another free meal.

So see Erica unless your chickens are totally enclosed at all times there is a chance of something getting them.

Tamara... sorry to hear of your loss !

 

[Totalcolour]

Everybody gave EricaD such good advice I wasn't going to throw in my 2 cents. But now I will because I have a little bad news! I went out at 3:00pm to let my flock out to free range. I noticed my rooster Ricky Retardo wasn't with them so I went looking for him. I found a bunch of his feathers with blood on them in the corner of my big run. My run is five feet high with electric fence at the bottom , in the middle and at the top plus another strand a foot over that and then another one a foot over that so its seven feet high. I can't see any signs of anything getting under the fence and it isn't damaged in anyway like something went through it or over it! and the electric fence was working! It had to be a hawk or a eagle. Ricky was way bigger then any of the hawks we have around here! I'm not sure why it got him and not one of the smaller hens. The only thing I can think of is that the hens ran for cover and he might of stayed to fight or chase off what ever it was. I'm sure what ever it was will be back for another free meal.

So see Erica unless your chickens are totally enclosed at all times there is a chance of something getting them.

Tamara... sorry to hear of your loss !

This is the reason we stopped using broodies, and went the incubator / grow-out pen route. Even with that we lose a few. But the bigger they are, the less likely they will get taken. We lost almost a third of our babies last year to hawks - not going to this year!

 

[StarryEyzz]

Everybody gave EricaD such good advice I wasn't going to throw in my 2 cents. But now I will because I have a little bad news! I went out at 3:00pm to let my flock out to free range. I noticed my rooster Ricky Retardo wasn't with them so I went looking for him. I found a bunch of his feathers with blood on them in the corner of my big run. My run is five feet high with electric fence at the bottom , in the middle and at the top plus another strand a foot over that and then another one a foot over that so its seven feet high. I can't see any signs of anything getting under the fence and it isn't damaged in anyway like something went through it or over it! and the electric fence was working! It had to be a hawk or a eagle. Ricky was way bigger then any of the hawks we have around here! I'm not sure why it got him and not one of the smaller hens. The only thing I can think of is that the hens ran for cover and he might of stayed to fight or chase off what ever it was. I'm sure what ever it was will be back for another free meal.

So see Erica unless your chickens are totally enclosed at all times there is a chance of something getting them.

Tamara... sorry to hear of your loss !

Ahhhh, I am so sorry for your loss!

 

[mikeyb]

Everybody gave EricaD such good advice I wasn't going to throw in my 2 cents. But now I will because I have a little bad news! I went out at 3:00pm to let my flock out to free range. I noticed my rooster Ricky Retardo wasn't with them so I went looking for him. I found a bunch of his feathers with blood on them in the corner of my big run. My run is five feet high with electric fence at the bottom , in the middle and at the top plus another strand a foot over that and then another one a foot over that so its seven feet high. I can't see any signs of anything getting under the fence and it isn't damaged in anyway like something went through it or over it! and the electric fence was working! It had to be a hawk or a eagle. Ricky was way bigger then any of the hawks we have around here! I'm not sure why it got him and not one of the smaller hens. The only thing I can think of is that the hens ran for cover and he might of stayed to fight or chase off what ever it was. I'm sure what ever it was will be back for another free meal.

So see Erica unless your chickens are totally enclosed at all times there is a chance of something getting them.

Tamara... sorry to hear of your loss !

Dang bad news for sure. I really liked the name for your roo. Sorry abouy R.R.

 

[TheReidHomestead]

Everybody gave EricaD such good advice I wasn't going to throw in my 2 cents. But now I will because I have a little bad news! I went out at 3:00pm to let my flock out to free range. I noticed my rooster Ricky Retardo wasn't with them so I went looking for him. I found a bunch of his feathers with blood on them in the corner of my big run. My run is five feet high with electric fence at the bottom , in the middle and at the top plus another strand a foot over that and then another one a foot over that so its seven feet high. I can't see any signs of anything getting under the fence and it isn't damaged in anyway like something went through it or over it! and the electric fence was working! It had to be a hawk or a eagle. Ricky was way bigger then any of the hawks we have around here! I'm not sure why it got him and not one of the smaller hens. The only thing I can think of is that the hens ran for cover and he might of stayed to fight or chase off what ever it was. I'm sure what ever it was will be back for another free meal.

So see Erica unless your chickens are totally enclosed at all times there is a chance of something getting them.

Tamara... sorry to hear of your loss !

Bummer Ron!!! Wow! I can't believe something could pick him up out of your run! Must of been a big big bird!!!!!

Yeah, we lost our meany blue birchen Marans rooster. He was going to end up in the stew pot anyway cause he was soooooooooo mean! I'm glad he went out protecting his ladies instead. They weren't harmed at all and seem quite happy with their new man as I've had no pause in their egg laying. But whatever took him, left the biggest mess of feathers we've ever seen, so he must of put up a good fight. Looked like it snowed feathers between the swing set and my Wyandotte/Orpington coops off the goat shed!

Let me know if you have any wishes to replace RR...I have a few extra black laced red wyandotte cockerels growing out, but you are free to have one if you like!!!

 

[Ogress]

Quote:
Im so sorry about your hens. Im glad to know your out of the hospital was really getting worried about you. Until I talked to CL.
Cheri

I need to thank you most for getting me to go to the Dr. That story about your DIL scared me into going; I was worried about meningitis. How is your DIL doing? I was embarrassed about going because I thought what I had going on was psychosomatic since it mimicked what Kathy had going on (she is also doing much better, though did end up back in the hospital the same time I was there ( different hospital, unfortunately ). I seriously expected them to tell me it was all in my head or maybe for them to give a pill for my headaches and some antibiotics. I was no prepared for a 5 day stay and another 2 weeks pretty much stuck in bed with my leg up. The drs seemed pretty annoyed that I waited 4 days from when the illness started to come in. No one mentioned meningitis to me, and I was told the headache was from the toxins. I am not convinced the little buggers did not get in my sinuses. That was scary. I'm pretty sure I'll be a hypochondriac from now on, running in for every little flu and hot spot on my body. It is great to be back! That PTA meeting this afternoon just drained me, and I could hardly stay focused, but I made it! My lung capacity seems diminished, so I am going to work it back slowly. That is very frustrating to me. I feel like I have emphysema! but I am thrilled to be back I love seeing all the photos people have been posting here of their brooders and hatches, and I love reading about the projects people are tackling. ambitious people!

 

[SadieSue]

This is for CR:


So a few days ago we were driving along & saw an older GMC P/U for sale, baby poo yellow, a 70s series, 3/4 T axles, stick, a good farm truck.
So we stopped & looked and I had an ice tea as usual, out walks a teen girl, phone glued to 1 ear (as usual) and DH was looking at the motor I asked her what size engine is this ?


Ready for this ????????????????????


She says, I think it is a 357....................and sho' nuff I blasted laughter out & could not stop laughing, either could DH...........I said are ya sure it isn't a 308 or a 270 ?????????????????
Finally she asked what was so funny with a grin on her face, and we explained it to her..............so funny, all 3 of us were hardly able to walk & hold the tears back it was so funny !
No we did not buy it......still laughing all the way home.

All right, all right... I'm not really laughing. I'd like to, but the truth is I don't get it. Would I understand if I knew anything about pick ups? Good thing the joke was for CR.

 

[Ogress]

Everybody gave EricaD such good advice I wasn't going to throw in my 2 cents. But now I will because I have a little bad news! I went out at 3:00pm to let my flock out to free range. I noticed my rooster Ricky Retardo wasn't with them so I went looking for him. I found a bunch of his feathers with blood on them in the corner of my big run. My run is five feet high with electric fence at the bottom , in the middle and at the top plus another strand a foot over that and then another one a foot over that so its seven feet high. I can't see any signs of anything getting under the fence and it isn't damaged in anyway like something went through it or over it! and the electric fence was working! It had to be a hawk or a eagle. Ricky was way bigger then any of the hawks we have around here! I'm not sure why it got him and not one of the smaller hens. The only thing I can think of is that the hens ran for cover and he might of stayed to fight or chase off what ever it was. I'm sure what ever it was will be back for another free meal.

So see Erica unless your chickens are totally enclosed at all times there is a chance of something getting them.

Tamara... sorry to hear of your loss !

Poor Ricky; hugs. Wasn't he the worlds most expensive rooster?

 

[SadieSue]

Uh OH!​

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That is a beautiful sight. I love symmetry, design, color... But oh boy woman - are you going to have your hands full! Did you not have enough babies all over your place already?