Washingtonians

[VelvettFog]

So I had to Google chupacabras. It seems that scientists are fairly certain that they are really Coyotes that have mange caused by an 8 legged mite. The wild dogs are often hairless. So it's very possible that one of these coyotes got your hen. Though my first guess is that it is much more likely a raccoon. Raccoons like to eat the heads off of chickens. It could be that your being near stopped the attack before the animal could do more damage.

Pfftt.. .. Have you ever seen a Chupacabra? Ha! Neither have said 'scientists'. Good thing I don't have goats. Chupacabras love them some goat blood. The odd part is that one bird was dead - cold dead, and the other was 'hiding'. If all the birds were present during the attack, I'd hope that one or more of the roosters (I have 4 in that run) would have come to the rescue. Maybe that's what happened and why the one hen did not get killed. Her boys came to her rescue? I will adjust the automatic doors to open a bit later. I think they are still set for 5:30 am and it really is still dark then.

Maybe the Chupacabra bought a plane ticket!

Sorry about your hens though.

The little sucker (get it?) probably has frequent flyer miles and got the darn ticket for free.

I've read reports of weasels doing that, just a puncture on the head/neck area. Supposedly they are drinking the blood. I don't know the veracity of it though. Any weasels around?

Russ

Russ - I've read similar reports. I did do some research and it is possible that I have a type of weasel in the area.


Oh -- please don't look down on me because of my callus attitude towards the loss of one of my birds. My chickens are not really pets, and I accept losses as part of raising them.

 

[mikeyb]

If you can, keep them confined to the coop and run until about mid-day. Most of the hens will be done laying by then (its not like they can just wait you out). When I let my gals out and take care of their immediate needs I collect the eggs, usually 5 to 6. Then later about 3pm I check and sure enough one more egg will be there. Apparently this hen likes an empty nest. Although from time to time I check the yard for eggs I haven't found any, thankfully.

Now to my waterpipe problem. I think I'll just lay a pipe out to the coop and at the house side I will connect it with a short designated hose. This'll be just for spring to fall. Winter I'm resigned to carrying water out to them. I'll just chalk it up to exercise.
Thanks to all who responded to my questions.

I'm so dang smart, I swear I should just put a zipper on it.
I was feeling so smug about not having gals laying in the yard. Well, I moved my canoe today and there they were, 2 large eggs; "egads" he mumbled around the foot in his mouth at the sight of the 2 eggs nested in the dry grass hidden by the canoe. Talk about being taken down a peg or two and by some dumb chickens at that. LOL.
So I finished the immediate chores and did a head count. Oh, oh, 1 missing RIR. Checked the yard, checked the brambles, checked the poll barn, checked the coop. No RIR #7. Went through the neighborhood looking no luck. After about 1 1/2 hr. gave up and went into the house. An hour later on my way to the garage, there they were. 4 taking a dust bath, 4 drinking water and 1 was laughing. Yes she was, I swear she was. I'm happy she's back from where eve she was.

 

[hallerlake]

Quote: Triticale is a hybrid between wheat and rye.

ETA. It makes decent bread too and I like it in soup.
Tribbles like it, too.

 

[FirewifeJess]

Can y'all read this? CR is this what you were looking for? I can't find my label though I usually save them until I'm through with a bag of feed. Weird. But this is the online label of ingredients and it looks good to me! I would hesitate buying anything else for now since my girls love it and it's soy/corn free.
http://www.scratchandpeck.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Poultry-Labels-8-29-1110.jpg

I don't know the first ingredient but Notice that it is only a 10% protein which means it will drop your average. Which may cause a drop in egg production.

Triticale is a hybrid between wheat and rye. 

ETA. It makes decent bread too and I like it in soup.

Tribbles like it, too.

Now that's one thing I don't remember from Tribble Trouble :-D How funny!

 

[cmsdvm]

That's quatrotriticale. Please people...what if someone's tribble died because of your mispost?

 

[Greg Richardson]

Quote: If you like out of the box stuff..............................

Place the hose in PVC pipe in case it develops a leak you don't have to dig it up. Just pull it out of the pipe to replace.
From your house to the run where you build up the soil for the pipe/hose you could have a raised bed garden go all the way to your run.

 

[seventreesfarm]

Any Washingtonians in the Bellingham/Whatcom area?

-Joanna

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Quote: Yo! That's a Great idea. Oh yeah, I could do that. As a matter of fact, the uneven ground plays Heck with my hips when walking around the coop. I have just floated past my son the idea of building up the entire area and backfilling to level it. I could bury the pipe in the backfill. Thank you, that never ocurred to me.
While yer at it throw down a conduit and so ya can put lights in yer coop!!!

 

[lisaheath1]

Hey y'all

I'm at the doctor right now; new guy in Renton at the Pain and Injury Clinic; hope someone can figure out what the heck is wrong with me! It's been getting worse for 2 years now

Hope they can help you. Being in pain sucks

 

[FirewifeJess]

That's quatrotriticale.  Please people...what if someone's tribble died because of your mispost?

BEST.POST.EVER. Yeah!!!