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Barnyard Buddies:  Something is stalking my chickens!  |
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BlueRoseMama
True Blue Farmgirl
51 Posts
Val
51 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 10 2007 : 9:18:51 PM
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They are in my backyard. We live in the city. They are in a old dog kennel that I converted to a chicken coop by covering it with 1 inch chicken wire. All except the door way. Because I needed it to open. lol... apparently this is enough to warent some large critters interest, becuase the hens are now always sleeping on the very top of their boxes (not the top box, on top of all three boxes) and the bottom of the door is being pushed out.
I think it is a racoon. Becuase tonight I went out to check on them, and something was sitting around the coop, chittering. I have no idea what makes this noise, it almost sounded like clicking, and I have never heard that from a racoon, but I am at a total loss as to what else it could be. The chickens are all upset about it.
What do I do to help save my girls?
Val
Val ~ I am a whole food cooking, swing pushing, boo-boo kissing, paper crafting, breastfeeding, creative sewing, attachment parenting, woodworking, guitar playing, gardening, constantly reading, artistic and lovely full time, granola lovin' mama to my three sweetlings, Alex (7/20/96), Cyan (7/13/01), and baby Logan (1/22/07).
http://goddesshobbies.blogspot.com/ |
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Tracey
True Blue Farmgirl
766 Posts
Tracey
State of Confusion
USA
766 Posts |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4205 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4205 Posts |
Posted - Sep 11 2007 : 04:30:15 AM
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Get your doorway, critter proofed, that is for sure. Don't want to lose any of those hens.
MIchele |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Sep 11 2007 : 06:06:18 AM
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I'm thinking coons, too, especially in the city.
Light and noise work well. Have a radio that you can put inside the coop that won't bother the neighbors?
"She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian. |
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BlueRoseMama
True Blue Farmgirl
51 Posts
Val
51 Posts |
Posted - Sep 11 2007 : 06:59:44 AM
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Oh yes, it sounded like a coon now. It wasn't afraid of me either... that made me think coon right there. And we have coons from Oct to Dec usually each year. They just came early to investigate. The door is pretty critter proof... it is just the doorway that has holes larger than 3 inches high. Like the top edges of the door... you know? I left the pieces that are at the bottom of the door sharp where I cut the chicken wire, thinking that this would deter them.
All the hens are fine this morning. Thanks guys! I will keep the back light on. It is motion sensitive, but hasn't detered coons in the past. I will have to find something else.
Val
Val ~ I am a whole food cooking, swing pushing, boo-boo kissing, paper crafting, breastfeeding, creative sewing, attachment parenting, woodworking, guitar playing, gardening, constantly reading, artistic and lovely full time, granola lovin' mama to my three sweetlings, Alex (7/20/96), Cyan (7/13/01), and baby Logan (1/22/07).
http://goddesshobbies.blogspot.com/ |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Sep 11 2007 : 09:40:04 AM
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Hi Val
How upsetting to know that something is sneeking around . Here are a couple of tricks I used to get rid of racoons. I purchased those sticky mouse traps and placed them around along with the snapping mouse traps. What makes this works so well is if they do not get their foot snapped in the trap they get it stuck on the trap. They hate anything that messes with their feet. I managed to get a mother and her three little ones to stop visiting. In the morning when you let out the chickens you can pick up the traps and wait again till night time. Good luck.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/larkspurfunnyfarm |
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BlueRoseMama
True Blue Farmgirl
51 Posts
Val
51 Posts |
Posted - Sep 11 2007 : 8:30:05 PM
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That's a good idea Grace... if it keeps happening I will deff keep that in mind. These little critters are sure fearless... here are some pictures from their Oct/Nov visit last year:
Val ~ I am a whole food cooking, swing pushing, boo-boo kissing, paper crafting, breastfeeding, creative sewing, attachment parenting, woodworking, guitar playing, gardening, constantly reading, artistic and lovely full time, granola lovin' mama to my three sweetlings, Alex (7/20/96), Cyan (7/13/01), and baby Logan (1/22/07).
http://goddesshobbies.blogspot.com/ |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Sep 12 2007 : 08:49:29 AM
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Don't you love those glowing eyes!! When I go outside to check on animals I do not mind if the eyes are low to the ground but I REALLY hate when the eyes are waist level. We have a mountain lion on the search for tasty things to eat, the Great Prys for the last week have worked so hard that their voices are almost gone. Good Luck with the Coons and I wished they made a sticky trap for mountain lions!
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/larkspurfunnyfarm |
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jo Thompson
True Blue Farmgirl
603 Posts
Jo
the mountainside of the Chugach
in Alaska
USA
603 Posts |
Posted - Sep 12 2007 : 8:30:31 PM
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I have a funny raccoon story. I lived in a grand old house with a very fancy swimming pool. My husband was away on business and I heard "screaming" in my backyard. Called the police, flipped on the porch light, yep, the racoons were eating, playing and making baby raccoons around the pool. Those are great pictures!! jo
p.s. Val, your homepage is awesome....
"life is drab without a lab"
http://web.mac.com/thomja/ |
Edited by - jo Thompson on Sep 12 2007 8:31:02 PM |
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Barnyard Buddies: Something is stalking my chickens! |
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Something is stalking my chickens!
