Where can I get started pullets near me?

[margaret1657]

i have a flock of 26 and found out that I lost 10 of them today. My chickens are typically kept in a run when we are not home, and since we are currently on vacation, they were kept in the run, yet apparently they either got out or something got to them because the girl pet sitting for us said that there were a bunch of feathers in the yard, 10 were missing, and there was a visible area of the fencing pushed up. What animal would’ve gone after them in the broad daylight, and taken so many? But that’s not my main question. Obviously this is devastating, the worst loss I have ever had, and I would really like to purchase replacements. I live in northeast Ohio and I would really prefer to buy started pullets but the main hatchery near me (Meyer) is out of season on that. Does anybody know any farms in the NE OH area or maybe as many as a couple hours a way that sell started pullets at this time of year? Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Sorry you lost them sounds like maybe you need to fix things first, whatever got in will be back

 

[cmom]

It could be most any predator. I had a fox dig under a gate during the day to one of the pens and kill several of my birds. Now I have concrete under all of the gates. If you have a game camera that can be put up, most likely the predator will be back and you will know. I don't know if this will help you in your search. Good luck and have fun...
https://www.poultryshowcentral.com/Ohio_Swap.html

 

[cmom]

Last nights visitor.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

Why is it that chickens always die when you have someone else watching them?

 

[Redhead Rae]

Why is it that chickens always die when you have someone else watching them?

I think it is because the predator senses the normal activity around the house isn't happening and takes advantage of the opportunity.

Sorry about your losses.

I've recently sold a bunch of hens/pullets over Facebook. Look for livestock groups for your state.

 

[Howard E]

Also check craigslist. Some sell started pullets as a business, or may have started more than they have room for and decide to lighten the load.

But do all that only after you have made sure that whatever got it can't do it again.

 

[aart]

Try posting in the State Chat threads,
Ohio, Michigan, Indiana..
.....find them on the list in this post:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/find-your-states-thread.270925/

Anti-dig apron would be an option to prevent this from happening again.
Good examples of anti-dig apron installation, tho I'd not recommend 1/2" HC (unless you have small rodents like rats)...go with 14ga 1x2 or 1x1, will hold up much longer and is easier to lay flat.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1110498/wire-around-coop#post_17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

...or hot wire.

 

[Ridgerunner]

You have gotten some pretty good advice on how to find POL pullets. You might chat with the people at the feed store, they might know a source or allow you to put up a notice on their bulletin board.

As to the predator, with ten of them that size totally disappearing except for feathers my first guess would be a dog or a pack or dogs. I once had eight chickens taken by two large dogs. They left one body and two piles of feathers. There were feathers scattered not in a pile but for the most part the others disappeared. Coyotes or a family of foxes are also on my list. Contrary to popular opinion I've seen plenty of foxes and coyotes hunting in the middle of the day.

I don't know what your fence or fenced area looks like but an apron as described is probably your best option to help prevent it happening in the future.

 

[Mrs. K]

Coyotes too will do this. The OP seemed to think it happened in the day time, but I had coons tear an opening, and cover it with a piece of cardboard. My husband thinks the cardboard blew up there, but I think coons are way too smart.

I too, think, that it is when there is not a lot of activity that the predators come around, I nearly never have predators attack when we have the yearlings in the home pasture, but I realize that is not an option for a lot of you!

Mrs K