what takes heads off chickens? Warning Graphic info. no pics

[keesmom]

THANKS! Didn't know we had owls around here But I'm guessing my guys roosting in the trees lured them in.

You may also have fishers. They are excellent climbers. Though in my experience they like heads.

 

[CrowHollowFarm]

That's also when I used tie cords, when I had game chickens. I was just trying to find a practical use to apply it to now. And you still just didn't let the hens get bred by whatever, if you knew anything about raising them. I hear a lot of people complaining about roosters fighting, that would eliminate the problem. And just like it was then, when you had a nice cock you wanted to breed to you would pen him up with a few nice hens. Then you have all your hens free ranging other than what you want to breed to.

 

[centrarchid]

I have bred with tied cocks, but only one can be out where hens can expose themselves to him. Beyond that, hens do exercise choice if multiple males tied out. That can be confirmed if cocks have genetic marker that shows in offspring.

 

[CrowHollowFarm]

The original question was what are tie cords! I think anyone who has had any poultry knows that the hens can choose to breed with any rooster. But you can just hatch the eggs from the birds you want and don't from the ones that aren't bred like you want. Back when I breed this way I had up to 20 different brood pens set up with different cocks and hens being used. I think we should stop hyjacking this thread. If anyone has any questions that don't pertain to this post please message me. Thanks

 

[The Moonshiner]

To cut to the chase the reason for tie cords is plain and simply to keep cocks from coming in contact with each other.

 

[LearninMyFlock]

Google tie cords for roosters and it will answer all your questions. If you wanted to have more than one breeds you can keep the roosters tied and still free range hens until your ready to set eggs.

Thank you!

How's that work? If you're free ranging the hens they will get bred by whatever rooster they get within cord reach of.
There wouldn't be a point in separating all the roosters. If you mean keeping them separate until you put them in breeding groups then I don't see the point in that either.
In my neck of the woods when people did that it was because they were games and had to be separated or they would injure or kill each other.
The hens were free ranged and were bred by whichever rooster got to them.

Driving this point home.

Thanks! It seems it's kinda getting narrowed down for me. Was a nighttime thing. Daytime

You may also have fishers. They are excellent climbers. Though in my experience they like heads.

That's also when I used tie cords, when I had game chickens. I was just trying to find a practical use to apply it to now. And you still just didn't let the hens get bred by whatever, if you knew anything about raising them. I hear a lot of people complaining about roosters fighting, that would eliminate the problem. And just like it was then, when you had a nice cock you wanted to breed to you would pen him up with a few nice hens. Then you have all your hens free ranging other than what you want to breed to.

I have bred with tied cocks, but only one can be out where hens can expose themselves to him. Beyond that, hens do exercise choice if multiple males tied out. That can be confirmed if cocks have genetic marker that shows in offspring.

The original question was what are tie cords! I think anyone who has had any poultry knows that the hens can choose to breed with any rooster. But you can just hatch the eggs from the birds you want and don't from the ones that aren't bred like you want. Back when I breed this way I had up to 20 different brood pens set up with different cocks and hens being used. I think we should stop hyjacking this thread. If anyone has any questions that don't pertain to this post please message me. Thanks

To cut to the chase the reason for tie cords is plain and simply to keep cocks from coming in contact with each other.

 

[LearninMyFlock]

Ok. My phone is being slow and acting up and didn't show all of my msg. Thanks to all for your info! And sorry for derailing. I guess I didn't know it mattered as I started the thread and appreciate any info I can get. ..... and now I have another predator to figure out. My barn cat (Kitten about 2mo) was just found on my front house porch with the back half eaten! Head down to rib cage is still there and the legs and tail. ...WHATEVER!!!!! all the rest of cats/kittens are ok. So sickening!!!! I never heard the likes!!!!

 

[Aprilscri31]

They were free range but not any more ! !!! I can't find any info on what removes heads. The one had the head laying right there with the whole chicken. The heads weren't eaten nor mauled! Really weird! I hope to find more info and stop this!!! Thanks to all for your replies! They all got put in overnight. ... now I'm hoping the evil critter doesn't get inside!!!

I found 2 of my free range silver laced wyandotte dead yesterday right next to each other with their heads just hanging by thread. Weren’t eaten or anything. And then a bit later found one of my new 3 mo old hens with skin and feathers just hanging off her neck just raw. I have no idea what did this. It was the middle of the day! If you come up with any ideas please share