| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Annab |
Posted - Nov 28 2012 : 04:52:00 AM
Lost my favorite silkie hen yesterday. found her body last night when i came home from work.
Second hen now killed due to hawk predation while they have been in their coop.
Found the culpret when it decided to return to the scene of the crime this morning. Dang thing wouldn't move and I had to toss feed at it to get it to fly away. Sort of. That's when I looked up and saw it perched in the trees not 30 yards away watching.
So you know as soon I were to leave it was going to come back. I have a bird banger noise maker and used it. But I have a feeling we aren't through yet.
Stupid thing is...while the bird was sifting through the feathers from yesterday, the hens were OBLIVIOUS!!! Yes, this bird of prey was in the coop with the hens. So essentially they are all sitting ducks.  Think I need a new rooster
The coop spans about 100x50 so meshing the top would be pretty expensive right now.
I hate this for my girls. Think I'll ask friends for their old Christmas trees end of December to create some blinds but meantime I'm gonna have to get creative |
| 14 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Annab |
Posted - Dec 02 2012 : 09:38:26 AM
We get the scent of skunk several times a week
I believe one travels across the front porch. I know for a fact it livs nearby in the woods from when the dog was sprayed last February. Everytime she disappears and there's lingering scent I hold my breath and hope like anything she doesn't reappear stinking again.
There was also a possum in a low branch last week near the smoke house. I swear with all the woods around us- why the wildlife can't keep to itself and leave us alone! Have to count blessings though since (knocking wood here) we have only had one breech in the coop. This was before a portion of it was doubled up with chicken wire too. That portion of wire was the area that faces the woods and was pretty overgrown with weeds . |
| sherrye |
Posted - Dec 02 2012 : 07:48:11 AM
heres hoping it stays quiet for you. we have an owl who hunts mice at the barn. we have dead chickens here from skunks
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
|
| Annab |
Posted - Dec 02 2012 : 04:01:08 AM
That's what made me double check. If it were a red tail I'd be real conflicted. But it was super small. Well, small enough and definately not kestrel size- I know that much!
So far it's been quiet |
| crittergranny |
Posted - Dec 01 2012 : 6:18:25 PM
Yes Linda my kitty got better. It did take her a little while. I mostly just left her alone and she slept a lot.
I have never heard of a redtail bothering chickens either. That is weird. I think you are right, it must have had something wrong with it. Anna, I hope your chickens are living in peace now.
Laura
Horse poor in the boonies.
www.nmbarrelhorses.com |
| wooliespinner |
Posted - Nov 30 2012 : 8:00:56 PM
Oh I forgot to mention this was not a coopers hawk it was a redtail. We have lots of these and many other types of hawks. I have never seen a redtail act the way this one did. I think there was something not right with him he was so agressive. He was just to brasen or desperate or maybe even old. We now have a new hawk coming in but not quite sure what it is. Its smaller than the redtail I think it might be a sharp shinned hawk. Its sure looks to be one.But he does not try to attack me. He takes off if he sees any people or the pyrenese Nissa and Panzer.
Laura thats amazing you got your cat back. How incredibly lucky for your cat and you. Did she heal and end up being okay? I hope she did after surviving such a horrible ordeal.
Anna has it come back yet? I hope it never does for all your sakes. Take care.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| crittergranny |
Posted - Nov 30 2012 : 11:46:13 AM
Predators tend to come in closer this time of year. It's the equinox. It makes everyone hungry, man and beast alike. From about now till the end of the year, hungry time.
Laura
Horse poor in the boonies.
www.nmbarrelhorses.com |
| crittergranny |
Posted - Nov 30 2012 : 11:43:47 AM
Well they are beautiful creatures, but so are our chickens and they are depending on us to protect them. I claim air space over my ranch when it comes to these type of creatures. I had a friend who had a little papillion dog snatched by a hawk right in front of her eyes a few weeks ago. She was so heartbroken and took her horse and looked for him for days but never found him at all. I have a real feisty little cat that was snatched by one, she came back 4 days later with holes in her back where the talons had been. I could not believe it. I bet that was a fight in the air to behold. They say that once they sink their talons in they cant release. I bet he was regretting he got hold of HER. Baddy cat I call her now. And Linda, Rotten Rudy, what a cute name.
Laura
Horse poor in the boonies.
www.nmbarrelhorses.com |
| magnoliakathy |
Posted - Nov 29 2012 : 07:08:53 AM
Yep, I am a fan of SSS, but our neighborhood has grown and even though the lots are 1.25 acres (we have two), I hesitate to shoot any thing but snakes. I use a garden netting from Lee Valley, I have to replace it about every 5 years here in south Texas. Check the website, just type in "garden netting". It looks like it would cost you around $200 to do your whole coop.
When you free your mind your heart can fly. Farmgirl # 714, |
| Annab |
Posted - Nov 28 2012 : 4:36:39 PM
good to know!
I have a double barrel but don't like it 'cause it kicks too much. Shoot from the hip. I like that, 'cause that's about the angle I could have gone for.
We also have a 22 and ammo in the house for sure. I think we are out of everything else.
Can't wait for dawn  . Let's hope this guy got the message though and won't be back for a while.
|
| wooliespinner |
Posted - Nov 28 2012 : 11:06:52 AM
You go girl. I know how you feel about your hens.
A shotgun is my favorite gun if I had to choose. I can shoot from the hip and it has a wide path when you load it with birdshot. That way you don't have to be a perfect shot and your shoulder won't get messed up either.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| Annab |
Posted - Nov 28 2012 : 11:03:41 AM
Yea, and for a moment, I had thought about grabbing it. We keep welders gloves out near the wood stove. But then what? Ring its neck??
Kills me when it barely even looked up, but then locked eyes with me and just kept eating |
| Annab |
Posted - Nov 28 2012 : 10:59:46 AM
Wasn't gonna say it. But i'm just sayin'....shoot, shovel and shut up
We have a 22 among other firearms, but I was too upset and amped to think clearly and I'm not that good a shot. The bird banger is small enough and hand held that for now just scaring the bird away made me feel like I had done something.
For Christmas I want to request taking a firearms class for firearms safety. I know just NOT enough to be a hazard to myself in these types of situations. This will also enable me to be certified for Conceal and Carry if I so choose as an added bonus even though it doesn't really flip my trigger that way.
I have never been so angry and upset for the sake of my hens like this
So i'm glad you ladies understand and support me on such an issue when it comes to protecting livestock
|
| wooliespinner |
Posted - Nov 28 2012 : 10:38:14 AM
Anna went throught that last year myself I am so sorry. This one was even dive bombing me and attacking. There is a point when enough is enough. I love wildlife but when they enter the coop its crossing the line. I tried everything and this bird would not move on. He was here every morning bright and early just waiting for me to let the hens out.Do what you have to do to protect your hens. I lost 3 and he injured several quite badly... those girls were my babies. Good luck and carry a tobacco stick with you thats what I did and use it if you have too. Be careful there talons can cut you to the bone.
Oh and by the way one of the chickens he killed first was my rooster Rotten Rudy.They are no match for these birds of prey.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| crittergranny |
Posted - Nov 28 2012 : 05:13:40 AM
Can you not shoot it with a shotgun. I mean I know birds of prey are protected but are there exceptions when they are destroying livestock?
Laura
Horse poor in the boonies.
www.nmbarrelhorses.com |
