| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Annab |
Posted - Feb 21 2008 : 03:32:41 AM
On two different occasions now we have had attacks on our chickens.
Puzzling thing is, most of not all of both birds have been recovered.
First one was just missing its neck pieces/meat. Second one discovered yesterday was all there. The body was a short distance from the head and the crop. yuck the crop was really gross and big! 
My dog got to the head piece first before I could clearly see what had happened and ate it, then promptly threw it up. good girl She tried eating the crop, and luckily I had a treat already in hand to "trade" her. She is chicken savvy and likes to herd but not chomp our chickens.
We have had dog attacks before, and always, the chickens were carried some distance away. So its not the red neck pup from up the road.
We have most certainly had hawk attacks before too and all back meat and feathers were plucked.
Hubby seems to think its one of our neighbor's cats. We have 2 well fed cats of our own who have never shown interest in any chickens ever! Strangly too, our cat's food is disappearing. All this is going on during the day.
I have half a mid to sit on the porch one morning and see what comes lurking
Oh, and last night I saw a black cat lurking back through the tree line. Thought it was ours on the hunt until I turned away and found ours lounging on the outside table. |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Annab |
Posted - Feb 22 2008 : 03:53:00 AM
I forgot to mention, the chickens that were attacked both times were silkies. Sorry. Non-flighted and smaller makes 'em easy pickins. The other chickens are all standard size, and most have witnessed an attack or two before. So they head for cover and know what to do when the alarm is sounded
Our dog is inside all day, so unless we are home to see her go on the alert, we are left to guess on our own. We NEED another outside dog, but I'm a softie and can't bare to raise a pup outside---even if it is a working/guard dog.
I'll have to look up those Hank books. I collect children's literature anyway and would love to share those w/ my nephew who is also an animal lover.
And oh boy, if we ever run into a racoon trying to carry our pet food away, lock me up! Thankfully I have a digital camera now and have used it to our advantage many times! What a sight!
We are expecting a shipment of new chicks Tuesday. The brooder will be in the same building as where our cats are fed, but I have raised chicks here before w/ no casualties.
And, even though we are Rural, for the most part, the wildlife seems to stay in the woods. We have only seen a possom on the front door stoop once and smell the occasional skink passing through every now and again.
There are enough woods around us so there really isn't much need for critters to come a-knockin' unless it's feral animals who are underfed. |
| MasterGardener |
Posted - Feb 21 2008 : 1:49:51 PM
When I lived in California, the apt. complex I lived in had pea fowl, geese and ducks. We'd find dead poultry every now and then & were told that racoons/predators will often go after the grain pouch in the neck. Is it possible it's something like that?
.• ´¨¨)) -:¦:-¸.•´ .•´¨¨))
((¸¸.•´ ..• -:¦:- -:¦:- Chandra
-:¦:- ((¸¸.•´Farmgirl Sister #64
She considereth a field, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
Proverbs 31:16 |
| electricdunce |
Posted - Feb 21 2008 : 12:08:44 PM
It is always hard to lose your animals to unknown predators. Poor chickens. I hope you get this figured out. I used to read Hank the Cowdog books with my son when he was little, they are so funny and every kid I ever read it to enjoyed them. When my kids and I moved to this farm, after my mom died, and then my ex husband died, we were all so sad, and then we kept losing cats to unknown killers. I was mystified and thought perhaps it was coyotes or owls, but then we found out we had a fisher living under the barn. They are so vicious. After that we kept our cats indoors. I guess that is the trade off for living in a rural area.
At our old house, about ten miles from where I live now we never had a problem like that, Mostly we'd get deer in the yard at night, wild turkeys by day, and of course the occasional skunk adventure. I once found my two kittens playing with baby skunks in the driveway. A friend built a cat door in a window thaat opened onto my porch. It worked out great, until the raccoons figured it out. One night I found a huge raccoon trying to lug an 18 pound of catfood through the cat door. This was before digital cameras. but it was quite a vision. Sorry, I'm blathering here, it's very cold and the wind is fierce . I was fortunate enough to get to my quilt group meeting today. Someone was giving awsy wads of fabric and of course I couldn't resist. February is definitely themonth we need some color, where ever we can get it . Hope your chickens have better luck, karin |
| Firemama |
Posted - Feb 21 2008 : 07:55:56 AM
Anna that stinks,I hope you figureout whos after them
Mama to 2
FarmGirl# 20
Rich or Poor, It Dont matter We're all the same everybodys hungry in a different way....
http://myfarmdreams.blogspot.com/
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| cajungal |
Posted - Feb 21 2008 : 04:25:33 AM
This taking place during the day is not usual....most of the time ya' think of waking up in the morning and finding that something has gotten your chickens. Before I read the "daytime" part I was thinking of some animals like coons or foxes. During the day makes me think it's a cat. It must be a big cat because chickens are pretty big and cats don't often go after prey bigger than themselves.
We have some "chicken savvy" dogs, too. They usually keep unwelcome critters away. Maybe yours is napping! HA HA Are you familiar with the "Hank, the Cowdog" book series? They are hilarious chapter books for young readers. The first one is about Hank being blamed for the chickens being attacked and he is not the one to blame. He becomes a detective of sorts to find the real culprit. Super Funny!! We have read these books aloud....making voices for the different characters. Reading book 1 for yourself would be worth the time just for a good chuckle. (for yourself....meaning if there is no kid around to enjoy it with you)
Hope it goes better.
Blessings
Catherine
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
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