Hey all,
Well...I was/am keeping my chickens in a pen that's not predator proof. I rationalized it because the neighbors (across the street and next door) both keep chickens that wander their yard. The pen is just 3 ft tall woven wire on t posts attached to a metal shed. The run part is temporary as I had planned on turning them loose in the 100x150 pen once we get the new field fencing up. They would be free in it with the goats I'm going to get once the pen is up. Right now the pen is just electric wire..it didn't work so I had to sell the goats to get the money for field fencing. So anyway..they've been in there for over a week with no signs of anything trying to mess with them. Today I went to feed and found 2 dead RIRs. One was pulled through the fence and missing it's head and a wing. The other was laying in the pen. It rained this morning so the dead ones were soaked. I'm guessing it happened last night. One of the 10, 3 month old RIRs is still alive. The other 7 along with my 2, 3 month old barred rocks are just gone. There are 7 chickens in there that are just fine including my little serama roo. It doesn't seem as if whatever it was got in the pen. There aren't feathers and the fact that the others survived unscathed. But I'm wondering where the hell the missing 7 are? I wonder if they got freaked out and jumped out of the pen and are hiding in my yard someplace? My Dad suggested tying one of my dogs nearby the pen so if something comes near it they will bark and scare it away. Problem is all my dogs are pets that are used to sleeping in the house..they would bark their fool heads off all night long. I guess I will be moving them into the A frame coop. It will be cramped, but only temporary. I'm guessing that the repellants probably wouldn't work if the critter really wanted my chickens. The bantam cochins that are in the other a frame coop are fine. The wire isn't disturbed at all. This is so frustrating. I'd like to get a livestock gaurdian dog for when the fence is up, but I don't trust any dog with the chickens. Anyway..the point of this rambling is just a little warning to the new chicken people. Don't be naive..something will get your chickens if they aren't secure. Also..if anyone can suggest a breed that is commonly available that would make a good LGD please let me know. The breeds that I've read about aren't commonly available here. Thanks for listening.
Well...I was/am keeping my chickens in a pen that's not predator proof. I rationalized it because the neighbors (across the street and next door) both keep chickens that wander their yard. The pen is just 3 ft tall woven wire on t posts attached to a metal shed. The run part is temporary as I had planned on turning them loose in the 100x150 pen once we get the new field fencing up. They would be free in it with the goats I'm going to get once the pen is up. Right now the pen is just electric wire..it didn't work so I had to sell the goats to get the money for field fencing. So anyway..they've been in there for over a week with no signs of anything trying to mess with them. Today I went to feed and found 2 dead RIRs. One was pulled through the fence and missing it's head and a wing. The other was laying in the pen. It rained this morning so the dead ones were soaked. I'm guessing it happened last night. One of the 10, 3 month old RIRs is still alive. The other 7 along with my 2, 3 month old barred rocks are just gone. There are 7 chickens in there that are just fine including my little serama roo. It doesn't seem as if whatever it was got in the pen. There aren't feathers and the fact that the others survived unscathed. But I'm wondering where the hell the missing 7 are? I wonder if they got freaked out and jumped out of the pen and are hiding in my yard someplace? My Dad suggested tying one of my dogs nearby the pen so if something comes near it they will bark and scare it away. Problem is all my dogs are pets that are used to sleeping in the house..they would bark their fool heads off all night long. I guess I will be moving them into the A frame coop. It will be cramped, but only temporary. I'm guessing that the repellants probably wouldn't work if the critter really wanted my chickens. The bantam cochins that are in the other a frame coop are fine. The wire isn't disturbed at all. This is so frustrating. I'd like to get a livestock gaurdian dog for when the fence is up, but I don't trust any dog with the chickens. Anyway..the point of this rambling is just a little warning to the new chicken people. Don't be naive..something will get your chickens if they aren't secure. Also..if anyone can suggest a breed that is commonly available that would make a good LGD please let me know. The breeds that I've read about aren't commonly available here. Thanks for listening.
