Spring is around the corner

Spring is around the corner (Full Version)

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peppermint -> Spring is around the corner (2/9/2015 11:53:09 AM)
It's mid Feb and I've started to think about spring. Two years ago I was able to get chickens for the first time. My 6 girls wintered with the neighbor while I headed south to Arizona. Got 4 new chicks to go with the old ones last summer. Sadly, last summer a family of foxes built their den in the state park that abuts our property. In the fall I had 2 girls left and not laying due to the trauma. I don't mind sharing with wildlife, in fact I got extra girls just in case. However, they took 80%. Not fair!!! The foxes got over 20 from across the street but only a couple from next door to me. Going to do things a bit differently this year. First the coop has to be rebuilt. The foxes never went into the coop but would harass the girls from the outside until the girls panicked and flew out of their area. Next I'm getting 2 roosters. They'll be brothers and hopefully have figured out the dominant thing while they are still baby chicks. Have 26 chicks on order. They will be delivered to a friend's farm in less than two weeks so that they are pretty grown up by the time we head north in May. I also have to get some target shooting in with the 22. I haven't used a rifle for 40 years and practice is needed. We got one shot off at the foxes last year, came close as he jumped, but missed him. Then there is bedtime to change. Normally I like to stay up late and wake up well after dawn. The foxes would come around 4:30 am. So it'll be early to bed, early to rise for me this summer. Will be getting a variety of hens this year laying brown, white, and green eggs. They are Jersey Giants, Speckled Sussex, Buff Orpingtons, Rhode Island Reds, Leghorns, Rose Crested Leghorns, Easter Eggers, and Silver Laced Wyndottes. The roosters will be Salmon Faverolles as they seem to be generally okay with people more so than others breeds of roosters. I know there used to be some people around here who had chickens. Are any left? Are you getting new chicks this year?

DesFIP -> RE: Spring is around the corner (2/9/2015 2:04:27 PM)
I don't have chickens but a friend used to keep them. She said the raccoons would quickly learn when she would put them in the coop and come earlier. So it started with her putting them in at 6 and the raccoons would come around 5:30. When she gave up, the raccoons were coming by around 3 and it wasn't worth her letting them out. If you need to keep them protected at all times, I know some people use a chicken tractor. A wheeled coop with run that can be moved around your property daily. Found this example. http://www.frugah.com/pawhut-96-wheeled-tractor-hen-house-chicken-coop-w-run/?gclid=CIGlxO_u1cMCFVIV7AodIhAAwQ

peppermint -> RE: Spring is around the corner (2/9/2015 7:18:40 PM)
Thank you. I have seen pictures of the chicken tractor moveable coops. If I have problems with predators during the day I might have to consider building one. So far the foxes have attacked just before dawn and around dusk. If we are very lucky they will build their den somewhere else this year. Since the den was quite close to a day use trail that is a good possibility. Get enough people walking close and trying to get a glimpse of the babies and they might figure it's safer to go elsewhere. I am so glad we don't have a raccoon problem. They are awfully intelligent.

ExiledTyrant -> RE: Spring is around the corner (2/10/2015 3:30:47 AM)
Build a 12" tall chicken wire fence 6" from your coop all the way around it and wire it to this http://www.harborfreight.com/solar-fencer-47454.html cut a 4" deep X 12" wide trench around the fence and flood it. That should resolve any and all pest problems, but turn it off before you let the girls out.

PyrotheClown -> RE: Spring is around the corner (2/10/2015 6:58:34 AM)
I'm probably gonna start my coop round march.Had a coop years ago,but between the owls hawks and the fucking mountain lion,not much was left for me.Luckily where I live now,there's not many foxes or racoons,but I've spotted a local bob cat a few times in my yard,so it's safe to say that I'll need to make a lil fort knox for the gals.Double chicken wire,lots of palo verde trimmings (super spickey plant)weaved into the fencing,rocks around the bottom of the coop to deture digging,ect.we also got rattlers but I'm get'n fayomi chicks,(lil fiesty devils)so I'm not too worried. As for other preditor protection,I got a mean lil dog that chases the coyotes away,but for yer dilema,you might wanna consider guine fowl and or geese.both are mean birds that are imposing compared to a fox.If you got wolves,coyotes,or feral dogs around,then you might consider something else.Like a big mean dog that's left outside near the coop,or pigs.

PyrotheClown -> RE: Spring is around the corner (2/10/2015 7:03:46 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: ExiledTyrant Build a 12" tall chicken wire fence 6" from your coop all the way around it and wire it to this http://www.harborfreight.com/solar-fencer-47454.html cut a 4" deep X 12" wide trench around the fence and flood it. That should resolve any and all pest problems, but turn it off before you let the girls out. Nice,I might have to get one

ExiledTyrant -> RE: Spring is around the corner (2/10/2015 7:23:28 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: PyrotheClown I'm probably gonna start my coop round march.Had a coop years ago,but between the owls hawks and the fucking mountain lion,not much was left for me.Luckily where I live now,there's not many foxes or racoons,but I've spotted a local bob cat a few times in my yard,so it's safe to say that I'll need to make a lil fort knox for the gals.Double chicken wire,lots of palo verde trimmings (super spickey plant)weaved into the fencing,rocks around the bottom of the coop to deture digging,ect.we also got rattlers but I'm get'n fayomi chicks,(lil fiesty devils)so I'm not too worried. As for other preditor protection,I got a mean lil dog that chases the coyotes away,but for yer dilema,you might wanna consider guine fowl and or geese.both are mean birds that are imposing compared to a fox.If you got wolves,coyotes,or feral dogs around,then you might consider something else.Like a big mean dog that's left outside near the coop,or pigs. Great Pyrenees, FTW!

DesFIP -> RE: Spring is around the corner (2/10/2015 7:39:18 AM)
Guinea fowl tend to wander though. They may move to someone else's yard.

PyrotheClown -> RE: Spring is around the corner (2/10/2015 7:45:20 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: DesFIP Guinea fowl tend to wander though. They may move to someone else's yard. True,but they also have a strong chance of staying and protecting the chickens,especially if raised together. Guine fowl roosters are known for becoming really sweet to hens.

Charles6682 -> RE: Spring is around the corner (2/10/2015 8:22:17 AM)
I live in St. Pete, Florida. it's already been "spring" here since November! I will tell you how it feels. It feels nice! Nice to go by the Beach too [8D] I forgot what the cold winters are like. How do they feel again?!

slvemike4u -> RE: Spring is around the corner (2/10/2015 12:46:43 PM)
I froze walking my dog around the corner,this is one day after playing golf in a short sleeve shirt. So I'm not buying this "around the corner" shit till I can put the under armor long johns away for the year [:D]

peppermint -> RE: Spring is around the corner (2/12/2015 8:22:36 PM)
ExiledTyrant: Hopefully won't have to go to the extent of making the coop like Fort Knox. PyrotheClown: Guinea hens and geese only help so much. The lady across the street has both and lost 20 young pullets in one night. The killers got into the part of the barn with the young pullets and avoided the animals that might have fought them. Of course during the day she has no problem as all the critters are out and watchful. We've been lucky that the hawks who nest on our hill do not seem to have a taste for chickens. So far (crosses fingers) I haven't seen an owl. Just read up on those fayomi chickens. They sound like the perfect choice for a desert type climate, feisty and heat tolerant. I can't get a dog. We're only north for 5 months of the year. It wouldn't be fair to have an animal I couldn't keep and I don't know anyone who would take an extra dog for 7 months of the year. Of course the lady across the street has a half dozen dogs to protect her animals.....however, the dogs enjoy sleeping in her bedroom at night rather than outside where they would keep the bad guys away.

MrRodgers -> RE: Spring is around the corner (2/12/2015 9:31:16 PM)
Spring is here out west...80's this weekend.

peppermint -> RE: Spring is around the corner (2/12/2015 9:38:05 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: MrRodgers Spring is here out west...80's this weekend. OMG!!!!

MrRodgers -> RE: Spring is around the corner (2/13/2015 1:01:02 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: peppermint quote: ORIGINAL: MrRodgers Spring is here out west...80's this weekend. OMG!!!! Buds already rearing their encouraging heads from natures womb. I expect grass cutting soon. Of course that is...somebody else will be doing the cutting. Spring is clearly the best time of year...weather wise.

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