Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[Celtic Chick]

We have such a problem right now with groundhogs. Oh my Bob, it's AWFUL. DH has shot three of them, dug up their holes, etc. Those suckers are relentless. Any tips for dealing with groundhogs!?!?

You can try soaking old tennis balls in ammonia & scattering them where you don't want them. I do this to keep varmints away from the coop.

 

[EggheadWI]

OMG! Is everyone telling me all my chickens are gonna die because they are 1 1/2 or just the ones that are red?  What about the Delawares, and the black birds.  Not as in Blackbirds.  They a just Black.

Ok, even a veterinarian would not diagnose an animal based on a description, never mind give a prognosis. All anybody can say is what has happened in their own experience. I think you should read up on how to check out various stuff on your own chicken and proceed from there. Anybody have a link for doing a basic chicken check up?

 

[CherMoz]

Try this:

http://ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0020.html

 

[BlackBrookPoultry]

I think I read somewhere that fox and coyote urine works to get rid of groundhogs. I have one under my coop. He's got a huge hole with tunnels. Pretty sure one of my call ducklings ended up in there and couldn't get out. The 2 free calves are coming on Saturday I'll post pictures of them and the new puppy. And I'm getting a car. So many exciting things going on around here.

 

[iMagen]

Hey iMagen,
I'm in Sheboygan County. My DH is the super gardener. He loves Honey Crisp, so we got two full sized HC trees about 3 or 4 years ago. Actually got some nice sized fruit on them last year, too. DH made a ton of applesauce. The kids love, love, love it. They fight over the empty jar to get every drop out. Makes them sound like a pack of wolves; that's not entirely true, though. (Most of the time! )

Very cool! I have a slightly massive addiction to Honey Crisp so I will have to check into trees!!! My kids would be the same way. They are 11, 10, and 8, and I swear turn into a pack of ravenous wolves if you don't feed them. They are kinda like Gremlins lol

 

[Firstchic]

Please don't panic. All of your birds are not going to die. If you have red stars, a production breed, they usually do not live nearly as long as heritage breeds. Delawares are heritage breeds so they should be around for a while for you. I have no idea about your blacks since I do not know their breed. I would ask your neighbor what breeds your birds are. If you got them from him/her, they might not be production birds. Maybe your hen is just ill. I would put some vitamins/electros in their water & see if she improves.

Production breeds die very young , usually at 1 1/2 to 2 years old. They are typically sold at feed stores, hatcheries and TSC/F&F type stores. Usually they will be listed as "production" or "sex linked" birds so you know what to be aware of.

Your average heritage breed, given good lineage & care, should live a good 5-8 years or more. They do not lay as often as production birds and will gradually slow down as they age in how often they lay an egg, but they will give you many years of enjoyment. HTH

Please don't panic. All of your birds are not going to die. If you have red stars, a production breed, they usually do not live nearly as long as heritage breeds. Delawares are heritage breeds so they should be around for a while for you. I have no idea about your blacks since I do not know their breed. I would ask your neighbor what breeds your birds are. If you got them from him/her, they might not be production birds. Maybe your hen is just ill. I would put some vitamins/electros in their water & see if she improves.

Production breeds die very young , usually at 1 1/2 to 2 years old. They are typically sold at feed stores, hatcheries and TSC/F&F type stores. Usually they will be listed as "production" or "sex linked" birds so you know what to be aware of.

Your average heritage breed, given good lineage & care, should live a good 5-8 years or more. They do not lay as often as production birds and will gradually slow down as they age in how often they lay an egg, but they will give you many years of enjoyment. HTH

Thank you for the info

 

[Firstchic]

Ok, even a veterinarian would not diagnose an animal based on a description, never mind give a prognosis. All anybody can say is what has happened in their own experience. I think you should read up on how to check out various stuff on your own chicken and proceed from there. Anybody have a link for doing a basic chicken check up?

I tried finding something on the link on this site but so many things I could not get thru. I will give electrolytes and see if that helps.

 

[jvls1942]

Quote: well put..

not all red stars die at 1 1/2 years.. they just do not lay eggs .. I have had some go to 4 years.

furthermore, if your neighbor hatched these chickens, they are not red stars..
red stars are hybrids, and I highly doubt that your neighbor has the makings of a hybrid red star.

apparently nobody is reading my posts anyway, but I am posting this just for my own gratification..

I am referring to my recent post about those unidentified trees..

...........jiminwisc..........

 

[Firstchic]

Ok, Ladies tell me what this is. I will post the other two trees tomorrow. My internet is way too slow to download them all at once.

 

[Firstchic]

well put..

not all red stars die at 1 1/2 years.. they just do not lay eggs .. I have had some go to 4 years.

furthermore, if your neighbor hatched these chickens, they are not red stars..
red stars are hybrids, and I highly doubt that your neighbor has the makings of a hybrid red star.

apparently nobody is reading my posts anyway, but I am posting this just for my own gratification..

I am referring to my recent post about those unidentified trees..

...........jiminwisc..........

Jim in Wisc. I did not see the post....but, I get quite confused on this site, so did not see your comments on the trees. I did just post some pics of my chickens and trees today if you care to comment on those......I might find it.