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Barnyard Buddies:  Farm Mentor: keeping chickens safe  |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4284 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4284 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 22 2007 : 09:44:58 AM
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Here is what I have learned about keeping chickens safe. Have a well built coop. Something with a cement floor, so nothing can dig in around or under. Ours faces south and is all windows. The sun is high enough in the summer that is stays cool, and in the winter the chickens get plenty of solor heat to warm them up in the day. We have a chicken yard that is fenced. About 8 feet high, my dh had gotten some heavy duty panels, and that is how tall they were. We wired on chioken wire to the panels, and buried them about a foot. Again making it so nothing could get in, dig under, etc. I also let them out in the evening to graze in the lawn. I watch them though, otherwise they head to flower beds, and garden to rip things up. Of course we have a hangin roost in the coop for them.
Racoons, skunks, minks, fishers, are a few things that will kill your chickens. The skunks surprised me, I never thought they would, but they just kill and go the the next one. In my coop is a small room that I raise chicks in. Well one night I forgot to close their window, and went out in the morning to 17 dead chicks. They were about half grown. Skunk was still in there. Needless to say DH took care of that one, and we learned a hard lesson. My dog found a mink last fall, in a wood pile. I got that one, rather proud of my one shot success. But I was really glad that the dog had noticed it before it got to any chickens.
Good luck and I hope this helps anyone. Michele |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Mar 22 2007 : 10:23:26 AM
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Wow, Michele! Thanks for all the good info. I did have a totally enclosed yard for the girls, but apparently there was a weak spot in the fencing. :( Next time, I will do the cement floor- great idea! And reinforce the bottom with hardware cloth or something strong. Those animals had better stay away. I have horrible aim and I would probably shoot my parents window out! And we only have a bb gun. I am not trusted with anything else. ;)
Karin |
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
Posted - Mar 22 2007 : 10:27:48 AM
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Michele you're a gal after my own heart! I love your mink story, and have one exactly like it...only the so-and-so wiped out 17 new laying hens before I discovered him. It puts you in a whole new mindset to open a barn door to dead (expensive!) laying hens. My dh still tells the story whenever he can...I wish he'd find a new one, like maybe about the flowers I grow or something!! 
Diane |
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owwlady
True Blue Farmgirl
899 Posts
Jan
Tomahawk
WI
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - Mar 24 2007 : 3:16:46 PM
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| Thanks Michele for the info. I'm hoping to start raising chickens this year and appreciate any help I can find. By the way, where is Bruce? |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4284 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4284 Posts |
Posted - Mar 25 2007 : 04:50:59 AM
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| It is on hwy 8. From Tomahawk you go west, and you will hit it. My sister used to live in Tomahawk, and her inlaws still do. About a 2 hour drive to our place. That is really neat Tasha, you know where we are!!! My husband used to deliver steel in the cities, so he knows his way around Mn. some too. It is a small world!!! Good luck with the chickens Jan. If you need any more suggestions, I will try to help!!! Michele |
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owwlady
True Blue Farmgirl
899 Posts
Jan
Tomahawk
WI
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - Mar 25 2007 : 10:55:32 AM
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| Thanks Michele, as questions come up I'll come to you for help. My guy,(of 5 1/2 years) Jim, lives in Spirit in Price county. His father was born in Ladysmith. He knows where Bruce is....small world. |
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Barnyard Buddies: Farm Mentor: keeping chickens safe |
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Farm Mentor: keeping chickens safe
