Washingtonians

[seventreesfarm]

We're in Sedro-Woolley

Cool!
With all the backyard flocks in this area, there must be a lot of locals on BYC.

I was reading recently how dairy and poultry were twin enterprises here, with the milking byproducts going to the flocks, and everything being sent by train to the Seattle area. Still see some of the old longhouse style hen houses falling down on old farms....

 

[KMHunter]

Just saying Hi....

nothing better to add or say...Just reading post to keep up and eating ice cream... what a great way to end a day

I do this all of the time! Lol! Sometimes I just don't have anything to add to the conversation but love reading about what's happening.

 

[KMHunter]

Just wanted to say Good morning to all my peeps! I am up and attem early so I can get some things done and go meet a friend, that I haven't seen in a year, for coffee.
Then the parental units are coming into town early this afternoon. SHould be a good visit if we can stay off of any touchy subject.(with mom)
My dad is going to help me get somethings done to get the coop ready for fall and winter. So I am excited about that.

My dad is pretty handy.

Have a great day all! Wil try to check back in later!

Kim

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Just wanted to say Good morning to all my peeps! I am up and attem early so I can get some things done and go meet a friend, that I haven't seen in a year, for coffee.
Then the parental units are coming into town early this afternoon. SHould be a good visit if we can stay off of any touchy subject.(with mom)
My dad is going to help me get somethings done to get the coop ready for fall and winter. So I am excited about that.

My dad is pretty handy.

Have a great day all! Wil try to check back in later!

Kim

Well while he's there ya may as well have have yer dad help ya build a new coop just for good measure. I bet ya could find something to put in it!

 

[VelvettFog]

Wow! Too close for comfort. Sorry you lost a bird. How is the other one doing?

Have you checked for tracks around the pen? Can you smooth the dirt or scatter some sand around it for future tracks? I have a copy of Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens and it has drawings of tracks. It also has a chart for ID'ing predators, but nothing matches your situation. Good luck, I hope you can catch it when it comes back.

Jennifer

Still very lethargic. But she does drink water when I dip her beak in it. I don't have much hope.

I'm sorry your birds were attacked. Can you get a photo sensor for your style automatic door? I have one and it works very well. It opens about 10 minutes after it starts getting light, and it closes about 10 minutes after dusk (about 9:30 p.m. right now - unless I have too many lights on in the house, then it will close when I turn them off). I can program mine, but I actually prefer the outdoor lighting conditions to control that.

I can certainly get a photo-sensor (or three).

Honestly, I have no idea what kind they are. We have to position ourselves just right to see them - and sometimes, they are so high, we can't make out much. From down low where we are standing, they look pretty tiny. LOL! I'm sure if they were standing on the ground next to me, they might not look so tiny. I'll have to ask my husband tomorrow if he knows what kind they are.

You know what? A raccoon looks pretty cute when it's up in a tree, too. LOL!

Ren - can you detect a slight skunk smell when you see these owls? If so, then they are most likely GHO. GHO's prefer skunk Also GHO's will have the 'scary movie hoot' like someone else mentioned. Males have a deeper voice than the females, and they will often times talk back and forth. Owl's like to sit in trees and then swoop down on their prey. Unlike hawks who will soar above an area and then dive onto their food. So, if you see owls in your trees, there is a very good chance they are 'stalking' your birds. I have also heard of Owls landing in the run and then walking up the ramp into the coop and dragging a bird out. GHOs are big enough to carry off a 6 lb bird.

The Owl I saw last night was a GHO -- at times I wish it was not illegal to shoot them.

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Quote:
I am not positive but it seems like I have read that in the act of depredation it is legal. Check first. Also They taste like rattlesnake, which I am told tastes very much like chicken. Not that I would know any of this!

 

[VelvettFog]

I am not positive but it seems like I have read that in the act of depredation it is legal. Check first. Also They taste like rattlesnake, which I am told tastes very much like chicken. Not that I would know any of this!

Permits are required.

 

[KMHunter]

Quote: Believe me, if I thought we had enough time, I would! They aren't staying very long. Which is good and bad depending on how you look at it.

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Quote: See I guess that's what happens to those of us who live way out in the Styx!

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Quote: Believe me, if I thought we had enough time, I would! They aren't staying very long. Which is good and bad depending on how you look at it.

Cause ya know IF ya build it they will come !!! Or the chicken math version IF ya build ya will fill it!!! lol