| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| peachy |
Posted - Jun 22 2009 : 11:14:51 AM
I'm finally able to vent alittle, hope ya all don't mind. I have a whole hen house of banty hens and they lay such tiny eggs that the dh and I went to Tractor Supply this spring and bought some chicks (I forgot the name) that would lay bigger eggs...these were my babies, I kept them in my bathtub for the first couple days and then moved them into our cool basement in a big bunny cage and eventually if you've seen my blog (not updated cuz I've been sick!) moved them to my new barn. Last week, sick with the flu but determined to give my lil chicks a bigger home until I got their hen house set up I dragged a big horse trough over to the barn with fresh bedding and ready to pop them in. I opened the door and something weaseled it's way through the back of the bunny cage (very little room because it was all snapped and locked shut) and devoured all 8 of my chicks, leaving 3 dead in the cage. I was horrified (and yelling obsenities that hopefully the neighbors didn't hear! What could have done this and now what do I do? Between my bantys and those I was planning on having enough eggs to feed us all year! Tractor Supply doesn't have them anymore and I haven't seen them for sale anywhere! I just had to vent...sorry it's so long but thanks for listening!
Melissa
Farmgirl Sister #360
http://oldethymecountrybarn.blogspot.com/
Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain! |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Annab |
Posted - Jul 15 2009 : 09:54:55 AM
Well then, even better.
It may be cold hearted, but we have done the same for possums before, and stray dogs that ate our chickens, so don't feel bad.
Sometimes farmlife isn't for the fainthearted, especially when it may come down to protecting livestock and other domestics. |
| peachy |
Posted - Jul 15 2009 : 05:44:25 AM
I'm thinking all of these geese that fly over our house every spring heading to the todd farm down the road maybe outta start stopping in for a visit and alittle hen protection!
Melissa
Farmgirl Sister #360
http://oldethymecountrybarn.blogspot.com/
Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain! |
| Tapestry |
Posted - Jul 15 2009 : 03:24:19 AM
You gals are making me want to get 4 baby hens my city ordinance says I could have IF my lot was big enough and smuggle them to my basement. The only thing is it wouldn't be right for them because I'd want them to be able to free range and there's just no room. I wish my beloved little house was on a bigger lot. I had a pet chicken when I was a kid and they're just so sweet. Fresh eggs are sooooo good.
Happy farmgirl sister #353
Look for rainbows instead of mud puddles 
http://fantasm01.imagekind.com/
http://tapestrysimaginings.blogspot.com/ |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Jul 14 2009 : 10:01:05 PM
I don't know about geese protecting your chickens, but they sure will let you know if anything is around that should not be, people, dogs, varmits, and I have heard tale that they will beat a small dog and cats to death with their wings, I know I've had my share of bruises and cuts from them.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| peapicker |
Posted - Jul 14 2009 : 9:01:01 PM
I have had some of my laying hens dissappear. We try to put them all up at night, but sometimes one stays out and we can't find it. Well , a couple of times all we find is feathers the next morning. We need to set out traps too. I have no mercy for coons. If I get a chance I shoot them. They are mean critters. They're only cute in the movies. |
| Beverley |
Posted - Jul 14 2009 : 8:48:38 PM
I found out today that geese are very good watch animals and guard animals for chickens? Ha any one heard this before. I found this out from a few people today. so I am going to give it a try.
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
| quiltin mama |
Posted - Jul 14 2009 : 7:37:12 PM
Oh, I'm so sorry that you lost your chicks. We lost 2 of our 6 this spring. Hope you can get some mail order ones soon!
You can visit my blog at www.mountainhomequilts.blogspot.com |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Jul 13 2009 : 7:55:17 PM
Beverly, I would have done the same as you, they can be VERY DANGEROUS, especialy the boars, I worked for a country vet years ago for several years, and saw what coons can do to dogs, even big dogs, plus they can carry rabies. They can climb and dig, also chew thru wire. They will also get cats.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| peachy |
Posted - Jul 13 2009 : 5:30:30 PM
Sounds like you had a very full bellied racoon that will hopefully solve the chicken problems for you! I haven't seen any here but the kids have been at their grams just down the road and they trapped a whole family of racoons there (hopefully they got em all and they stay at her house!) All I've seen here is a great big woodchuck runnin around the hayfield!
Melissa
Farmgirl Sister #360
http://oldethymecountrybarn.blogspot.com/
Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain! |
| Beverley |
Posted - Jul 13 2009 : 12:35:42 PM
Well I know you guys may be mad but we did not take it for a ride. A 22 worked really good. and then we gave it a decent burial. We did not want to take it for a ride and then it became someone elses problem. Sorry if this upsets anyone. Did not want to take a chance on it coming back either. or getting one of my dogs in a fight or my lamb or goat. I have dachshunds and they are higher up on the food chain as far as I am concerned. I would be very upset if they had gotten in a fight with it cause it may have won it was really big!!!
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
| Alee |
Posted - Jul 13 2009 : 07:32:44 AM
Wow Beverly! I am so glad you got the raccoon! I used to think they were cute but that was before I realized how destructive they can be and how BIG they are!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| Annab |
Posted - Jul 13 2009 : 03:28:40 AM
OH WOW!!
Glad you nabbed it.
So did you take it on a very long ride?
At the zoo we are constantly battling w/ them. The ones we trap are spray painted and released elsewhere.
Sometimes they do return
Amazing how they can figure out how to get lids off of trash cans and know to chew through bungee cords.
Luckily galvanized cans still baffle them!
Lets hope your farm gets a reprieve! |
| Beverley |
Posted - Jul 11 2009 : 05:17:59 AM
Well we trapped a big raccoon !!! That is what was eating and taking my chickens. So far so good on no more missing...It was a big %$#%@$^^ raccoon... Probably from eating my chickens!!!
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
| Annab |
Posted - Jul 11 2009 : 03:26:00 AM
Barred rocks look similar to Dominiques only i think their stripes are closer together
Decent layers
very striking
medium bodied I think (someting like australorps , jersy giants and orpingtions are heavy bodied)
quiet disposition |
| peachy |
Posted - Jul 10 2009 : 10:38:30 PM
Does anyone know anything about Bard Rock chicks? If I even spelled it right?! My friend that told me about the hatchery said that's what they ordered...I just want friendly hens with bigger eggs (much bigger than what I'm getting! LOL:) My girls I swear are on strike - out of 9 hens I only have 2 laying now...yesterday 3 eggs, today 6! I don't want to have to start buying eggs again but with this big family I may have too! I'm going to call the hatchery and see what kind of chicks they have available.
Beverley, I dare say I probably would have jumped a mile if I had live snakes in my hay! EEuuuggghhh YUCK! They're just so creepy crawley icky to me!
Melissa
Farmgirl Sister #360
http://oldethymecountrybarn.blogspot.com/
Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain! |
| Beverley |
Posted - Jul 08 2009 : 9:17:01 PM
melissa = http://www.michiganfiberfestival.info/ It is at the allegan fair grounds. We are all fenced in too so I don't know what it is but we bought a new trap today so I hope it gets caught whatever it is. My bigger chickens the black austroloups have been fighting it off. ONe has a big bald spot but it did not get them. It got the americanas because they had not grown to their full weight yet. but I just love them. My grandkids would walk right up and pick them up and carry them around the yard. they never pecked at them. I didn't think I would miss a chickens but I do those too. I liked carring them around too. they lay nice big eggs once they start laying and they are blue/green color. otherwise I suggest the black astroloups or buff orpingtons. I like those 2 for nice size brown eggs. oh yea, My hay had snakes 2 times so far and they were alive. it was when I went to get some hay for my goat and sheep and there they were I jumped a mile I think and scream oh boy did I scream. they weren't big and slithered off but ooo yulky!!!
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
| peachy |
Posted - Jul 07 2009 : 9:41:57 PM
Maybe I need some guinea chicks for guards! Kristin, the snakes are dead when I find them...after cutting, raking and baling there's not much left for surviving but snakes absolutely give me the willys!!!! I can't stand them! I've been watching my bantys over the last couple weeks and I only have 1-2 laying out of 9 hens! I'm now getting 1-3 eggs per day...I really need some new chicks that will get the job done right and lay some nice size eggs:)
Melissa
Farmgirl Sister #360
http://oldethymecountrybarn.blogspot.com/
Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain! |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jul 07 2009 : 12:49:09 PM
Melissa, you find snakes in your hay bales?! OMG! Now I am going to have to be more careful about getting my face so close to the hay when I carry it. Are they dead when you find them in there? Just one more thing to have to watch out for.
I am so sorry you lost you chicks. And Beverley now, too. I guess I need to watch out for mine. I am right in the middle of hay fields. But have never lost any to wild animals yet. It could happen. We're all fenced in but still.
I sure wish we lived closer. I'd give you some of my chicks. They keep setting on eggs here. I have one hen now setting on 12. I did lose one of the 8 chicks born a few weeks ago. It's so sad. I'm constantly counting all the chickens. Now we have about 15 guinea chicks and they are all over. Maybe you should get some guineas. They are great watch dogs. Very noisy when they are afraid.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| peachy |
Posted - Jul 07 2009 : 12:21:24 PM
Oh Beverley I'm so sorry to hear about yours! I think you do need a guard llama!!! Where abouts is it by me? I might have to go llama shopping for you! A friend of mine said he gets his chicks at the hatchery in Zeeland...not too terribly far from me, 45 minutes or so. What kind of chickens should I be looking for? I have all bantys right now and their eggs are so tiny and those birds are sooo mean! I want some nice hens with some lovely big eggs!!! Any suggestions?
Melissa
Farmgirl Sister #360
http://oldethymecountrybarn.blogspot.com/
Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain! |
| Beverley |
Posted - Jul 04 2009 : 8:25:33 PM
The fiber festival in allegan is august 14, 15 , 16 th. Right around there. that weekend. Just let me know and I can bring a couple with me. I just lost a couple of chickens myself to something coming in and snatching them, whatever it is also broke open eggs and ate the insides. I am going to try and borrow a trap tomorrow cause I have lost 3 chickens so far and I am not happy.. either that or I am going to have to get a guard llama or donkey. there is one for sale in your neck of the woods. a guard llama that is and it is gelded and they only want $50-$75 for it. I might just give it a try. Anything to keep my chickies safe!!!! They were all the americanas not the black austroloups. Probably because they are half the size and sweet personalities. the BA are nice but much bigger and maybe could defend themselves better??? I am just guessing but it is eiather a raccoon or a fox or cat? I think... I know they have to eat too but why my chickies!!!! hehehehehe
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
| peachy |
Posted - Jul 02 2009 : 09:32:10 AM
Oh yuck...the thought of snakes makes me shiver! We always find them in the bales when we're hayin'-eewwww!!!
Alee, I have 2 dogs a German Shepherd who's in the house and fenced in most of the time (she's kind of protective of "me"! And a stray dog we found and he made this his home...he's a beagle/basset mix but I think he's pretty old and would probably sleep through just about any critters coming in!
The ducks have been moved outside and so far they're doing good...keep your fingers crossed!
Melissa
Farmgirl Sister #360
http://oldethymecountrybarn.blogspot.com/
Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain! |
| Annab |
Posted - Jul 01 2009 : 03:25:56 AM
SNAKE!
We had one get in and try to eat some mid-sized juvenile chicks.
Since the others disapeared w/o a feather in sight and no blood, may have been a snake. How agravating! |
| peachy |
Posted - Jun 30 2009 : 2:30:32 PM
Oh Beverley, you are so sweet! I'm trying to plan on going to the fiberfest in August - is there a date yet? I'm alittle behind after starting another job and trying to juggle everything or I would have posted sooner! sorry:( I'm going to look into Ideal, do they have a website? I just moved my ducks outside so keep your fingers crossed they stay safe! They grow so fast they were outgrowing their "spot"!!! LOL
Melissa
Farmgirl Sister #360
http://oldethymecountrybarn.blogspot.com/
Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain! |
| Beverley |
Posted - Jun 24 2009 : 09:11:02 AM
Ideal only ships mon thru wed so that staying on a sunday never happens. Good thing your PO called ya. Mine all made it and are doing really well. they are starting to get their feathers. so cute. I had a few of these before and one jumped out of the brooder and the dog got it. Learned my lesson there, I made a chicken wire top. Then when the other 2 where old enough to go outside they were just great chickens. My grandkids could walk right up to them and pick them up and carry them around the yard. I just love those 2 and well a hawk or eagle got one. cause all we found were feathers and nothing else. and the other one our other dog got. I was really upset cause they were so friendly. I am hopeing that a couple from this batch are like this since I order the same kind and from the same place. Keep your fingers crossed. I like my black astroloups too. so far they have made it through the winter , so we will see about the summer. They were little last summer so we will have to see about the heat this year. I have plenty of shade for them so hopefully that won't happen. Good luck to all of you with all of your chickens. I did not think I would like having them but I really like them.
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
| Bellepepper |
Posted - Jun 24 2009 : 07:43:19 AM
Beverly, I love black astroloups. We had them one year and when summer hit, they started dying one at a time. They couldn't stand the heat. I guess the black feathers absorbed the heat. Since then we have stuck with Rhode Island Reds. This year we added some Buffs and Barred Rocks. I hope they do well in this heat.
Ole Ron checked on our babies early this a.m. They all are doing fine. Either the coons haven't found them or can't get to them.
I looked at Meyer Hatchery web site. Will order their catalog. I think McMurry is a lot closer. Better for shipping but I'd be surprised if they all came from Iowa. This years babies were hatched on a Fri (I think) The P.O. called Sun morning early and we had to go pick them up so they didn't have to stay in their box until Mon when they would be delivered to our local P.O. |
