I am feeling sick inside (again) from discovering 2 dead chickens this morning (pre-dawn). I thought one of the new ones (pullet) was killing chickens (lost 3 in past few days) but I am wrong. For the first time in 6 years of having chickens, a predator got into my coop. It's awful to have happen believe me.

I do know where some of the weaknesses are, so I will work on those today, and I will be setting traps all around the coop to try to catch the killer. It is not my intention to kill it, but I want to. I know it's just surviving the only way it knows how.

My Sweetie (brown leghorn) was scared and hiding under a chair near one of the dead bodies, meaning she flew away in the dark to the other side of the coop 20 feet away. Poor thing was terrified. So I've lost 5 chickens in the past week. Yesterday Darla was still alive with half her back/sides eaten out, so I had to put her out of her miserly. I've never had to kill one of my own chickens before like that, and it made me feel really sick even though I know I was doing the right thing to put her out of her misery,

So what should I do with the predator if I trap it? If I had something small like a 22 I'd shoot it.

Any feral cats in the area?

So what should I do with the predator if I trap it? If I had something small like a 22 I'd shoot it.

I gave up on the chickens a few years back after the fox got in and killed a few of them. No sense in feeding the fox.

But, maybe you can relate this to how some people feel about seeing their neighbors cat go after the birds at the feeder.

Any feral cats in the area?

nope, no feral cats here at all. They wouldn't have stopped the predator, may have been another victim though.

I gave up on the chickens a few years back after the fox got in and killed a few of them. No sense in feeding the fox.

But, maybe you can relate this to how some people feel about seeing their neighbors cat go after the birds at the feeder.

My cats are indoor only.

You need to kill it plain and simple. Foxes are why we no longer have quail or whipoorwhil's. Kill it!!

You need to kill it plain and simple. Foxes are why we no longer have quail or whipoorwhil's. Kill it!!

I agree with you and I can be tough enough to do it, but how (if it's in the trap cage, assuming it goes in the trap)?

I'm starting to think I need to learn to shoot a rifle next?

I agree with you and I can be tough enough to do it, but how (if it's in the trap cage, assuming it goes in the trap)?

I'm starting to think I need to learn to shoot a rifle next?If it's in the trap you have it made. Go buy a 12 guage shotgun. You should have one anyway.

If it's in the trap you have it made. Go buy a 12 guage shotgun. You should have one anyway.

I would guess they all have a substantial kick to them, and that's why I think I'd end up flat on my back if I shot one lol.

I would guess they all have a substantial kick to them, and that's why I think I'd end up flat on my back if I shot one lol.My original post had a .410 shotgun but that is too light for a fox. You need a 12 guage. Yes it will kick but vrai shot one so you can too.

My original post had a .410 shotgun but that is too light for a fox. You need a 12 guage. Yes it will kick but vrai shot one so you can too.

ok well I'll have to get one of those shoulder pads then.

What would be very smelly and too yummy to pass up for a predator that likes chicken? I have some sardines, canned dog food, tuna fish .... or should I go buy something different to use? The traps I have are meant for cats, so I may need to go get a bigger trap at Tractor Supply today?

I took the day off, so I have all day to work on filling in any gaps in the pen, and to get ready for the hungry chicken killer.

Good luck Ark. That's just terrible that you had to see something like that. I know how you LOVE your Chickens. One of our would-be predators, was a neighbor's Beagle. Luckily, she never got in the pen, but we found her collar hanging off the wire of our Coup (Coop?) Let us know what you have decided, and how it is working.

It could be a possum, sounds like what happened to my chickens. I caught the damn thing in the coop in the morning trying to get out. Got the 22 and had my first kill. I didn't think I could do it until I did. Felt sorta bad but the chicken killing stopped. The possum was killing for the fun of it and didn't eat much of any of them. I patched up the coop and haven't had any deaths since.

[QUOTE=BeenSpur'd;4773817]It could be a possum, sounds like what happened to my chickens. I caught the damn thing in the coop in the morning trying to get out. Got the 22 and had my first kill. I didn't think I could do it until I did. Felt sorta bad but the chicken killing stopped. The possum was killing for the fun of it and didn't eat much of any of them. I patched up the coop and haven't had any deaths since.[/QUOTE

If I had a 22 I'd certainly use it. What I have would be overkill, not to mention would mess up my trap too.

I see several areas where a small critter could squeeze in possibly. but see no hair there. This thing has gotten in 3 times now, so there must be some evidence of where it's getting in, yet I see none. Maybe if we had some sunshine I could see fine hairs better?

If I can set out enough traps, hopefully I can trap it before it goes into the coop.

You better have a big trap.....this came off of a trail cam!

If it's in the trap you have it made. Go buy a 12 guage shotgun. You should have one anyway.

Typical Marine; use a sledgehammer when a scalpel is appropriate.

All she needs is a .22 rifle. Stick the barrel in his face. He'll protest allowing you to shoot down the length of his body. Make sure he's dead before you dispose of him.

There is a fox season but, I suspect if he is destroying livestock, DNR is going to be OK about it.

Typical Marine; use a sledgehammer when a scalpel is appropriate.

All she needs is a .22 rifle. Stick the barrel in his face. He'll protest allowing you to shoot down the length of his body. Make sure he's dead before you dispose of him.

There is a fox season but, I suspect if he is destroying livestock, DNR is going to be OK about it.The shotgun would help if she caught him outside of the trap. :lmao:

Sounds like the work of El Chupacabra

The shotgun would help if she caught him outside of the trap. :lmao:

If she was comfortable with a 12 gauge, she'd likely have one. Too much gun for her, me thinks. That's not a knock, just a practical observation, and, as such, too much gun, that's dangerous. For her. .20 gauge would be fine if she's planning on getting him in the open but, y'all were talking about cages and most non Marine types would consider keeping the cage as a long term thing and not making it part of the intended shoot-ee.

:buddies:

If she was comfortable with a 12 gauge, she'd likely have one. Too much gun for her, me thinks. That's not a knock, just a practical observation, and, as such, too much gun, that's dangerous. For her. .20 gauge would be fine if she's planning on getting him in the open but, y'all were talking about cages and most non Marine types would consider keeping the cage as a long term thing and not making it part of the intended shoot-ee.

:buddies:But, but, but spose it's the critter in post 15? :yikes:

But, but, but spose it's the critter in post 15? :yikes:


Then we call out the Marines.

It could be a possum, sounds like what happened to my chickens. I caught the damn thing in the coop in the morning trying to get out. Got the 22 and had my first kill. I didn't think I could do it until I did. Felt sorta bad but the chicken killing stopped. The possum was killing for the fun of it and didn't eat much of any of them. I patched up the coop and haven't had any deaths since.


:huggy:

I would put money on Possums being the culprit. I've had this happen several times over the years. They leave half a chicken and move onto the next next. They are wasteful. Its bad enough they killed the chicken but its typical of them to leave the half eaten body around. "Opossums maul chickens beginning at the rear, while raccoons bite their heads off."

Appendix B: Control tips for common nuisance species in New York - Opossum (http://nwco.net/08-appendixbnuisancespecies/8-07-opossum.asp)

I love this.... :killingme

This message is hidden because Lance2U is on your ignore list.

So sorry to hear about your chickens, Ark. That sucks. I remember when we lost about a dozen in one wack..but that turned out to be a dog that did it.


A 20 ga shotgun would be a good compromise for you, IMO. Enough load to quickly dispatch any predator, but without quite the kick of the 12 ga. My youngest started hunting with a 20 ga when he was only about 10 and weighed less than 100 pounds (skinny kid).

You better have a big trap.....this came off of a trail cam!

:lol:

:huggy:

I would put money on Possums being the culprit. I've had this happen several times over the years. They leave half a chicken and move onto the next next. They are wasteful. Its bad enough they killed the chicken but its typical of them to leave the half eaten body around. "Opossums maul chickens beginning at the rear, while raccoons bite their heads off."

Appendix B: Control tips for common nuisance species in New York - Opossum (http://nwco.net/08-appendixbnuisancespecies/8-07-opossum.asp)

These had their heads intact and the middle sections were eaten out. So maybe a possum huh? Darla was held down and eaten and she survived until found her and realized she was not going to recuperate so I killed her to end her suffering.

These had their heads intact and the middle sections were eaten out. So maybe a possum huh? Darla was held down and eaten and she survived until found her and realized she was not going to recuperate so I killed her to end her suffering.

Oh I am so sorry :huggy: I know your chickens were your pets. Kill that chicken killer!

Oh I am so sorry :huggy: I know your chickens were your pets. Kill that chicken killer!

I'll probably lose 5 lbs due to this ordeal - I went to the grocery store and did not buy anything poultry at all.

I believe I located and fixed 2 potential areas that a predator could get into the coop. I put a garden hoe and a step in post (has metal point to go into ground) in the coop for easy access in case it gets in again and I have to do battle with it. Hoping I can spear that sucker on the step in post?

I put trap cages all around the area and baited them with sardines and canned cat food (chicken flavor, hey it's what's for dinner right?). If it doesn't get sidetracked by easy food in the trap cages, I'm hoping one of the places I fixed was the access point so it gets frustrated not getting in and goes back to the trap cages for the easy food.

I will be checking and watching, believe me. If I hear even a peep in that coop, I will go in there and kill that thing. Since we all think it is an opossum, I need to be prepared to possibly get bitten as they are ferocious when cornered. I had a dog that was almost attacked by one he had cornered. I got there and pulled him away as the opossum was lunging at him.

I'll probably lose 5 lbs due to this ordeal - I went to the grocery store and did not buy anything poultry at all.

because you already have some chicken to fry up?:killingme

jk

because you already have some chicken to fry up?:killingme

jk

:lmao:

I agree with you and I can be tough enough to do it, but how (if it's in the trap cage, assuming it goes in the trap)?

I'm starting to think I need to learn to shoot a rifle next?

Think twice before you go trapping this time of year...many animals all ready have babies tucked away....
You trap and kill a momma fox, raccoon, you sentence the babies to death by starvation....a very painful and inhumane death.

Fix the holes in your coop, and lock up your chickens at night like many others do.

If you cant do that..go get a digital trail/hunting/remote camera from Wal Mart, set it up and SEE what is killing your chickens.

But for the sake of babies, don't go killing any females.

And shooting it is not going to solve the problem either.

Fix your pen and secure your chicks at night!

Think twice before you go trapping this time of year...many animals all ready have babies tucked away....
You trap and kill a momma fox, raccoon, you sentence the babies to death by starvation....a very painful and inhumane death.

Fix the holes in your coop, and lock up your chickens at night like many others do.

If you cant do that..go get a digital trail/hunting/remote camera from Wal Mart, set it up and SEE what is killing your chickens.

But for the sake of babies, don't go killing any females.

And shooting it is not going to solve the problem either.

Fix your pen and secure your chicks at night!

Seriously.... Who cares if a fox, raccoon or a squirrel dies? They are diseased rodents!

I believe I located and fixed 2 potential areas that a predator could get into the coop. I put a garden hoe and a step in post (has metal point to go into ground) in the coop for easy access in case it gets in again and I have to do battle with it. Hoping I can spear that sucker on the step in post?

I put trap cages all around the area and baited them with sardines and canned cat food (chicken flavor, hey it's what's for dinner right?). If it doesn't get sidetracked by easy food in the trap cages, I'm hoping one of the places I fixed was the access point so it gets frustrated not getting in and goes back to the trap cages for the easy food.

I will be checking and watching, believe me. If I hear even a peep in that coop, I will go in there and kill that thing. Since we all think it is an opossum, I need to be prepared to possibly get bitten as they are ferocious when cornered. I had a dog that was almost attacked by one he had cornered. I got there and pulled him away as the opossum was lunging at him.


You really need to learn about the animals you live with...
Stick you hand in the face of an opossum and you WILL get nailed..AGAIN!

Opossums are the least aggressive of all ..

IF you find one, take a towel, toss it at its face, then as it tries to get the towel off, grab it by the tail, pick it up and move it away.....
It is a marsupial and you CAN pick them up by the tail without hurting them.

Opossums have 3 points of defense....
1. Open mouth and hiss and fluff up tongue, meant to scare you off..It is showing you its BIG teeth, all 50 of them!
2. Excrete green, nasty smelling liquid from anal glands..it smells so bad, you, the predator, wont eat it.
3. Plays dead, it now smells, it is drooling and you as a predator will not eat it..or even think about it!

Their brain is the size of your thumb, and they have a lousy sense of vision but an excellent sense of smell.
They LOVE eggs and will do what they can to get one or 2.....

So dont go killing one, just be smarted than one and MOVE it out of your way.

PS: They don't carry rabies..body temp is too low. So if you get bit, you should be OK.
You get rid of you local possum, skunks move in and they do carry rabies!!!

Think twice before you go trapping this time of year...many animals all ready have babies tucked away....
You trap and kill a momma fox, raccoon, you sentence the babies to death by starvation....a very painful and inhumane death.

Fix the holes in your coop, and lock up your chickens at night like many others do.

If you cant do that..go get a digital trail/hunting/remote camera from Wal Mart, set it up and SEE what is killing your chickens.

But for the sake of babies, don't go killing any females.

And shooting it is not going to solve the problem either.

Fix your pen and secure your chicks at night!

So her chickens did not suffer a painful death? :shrug: Now I am not going to argue with you about wildlife as I know you have their best interests at heart.

But they are invading her habitat and endangering her livestock. We do not know if it is even a mom, it could be a male also.
I say she is within all rights to protect her property from the blood lusting predator. If my chicken coop developed a weakness and they got in and killed my chickens you can bet your sweet bippy I would be taking the predator out. She does not even know if it is a possum yet.
It is heart breaking to come upon a pet chicken that is still alive after it has been attacked. Been there done that!

Think twice before you go trapping this time of year...many animals all ready have babies tucked away....
You trap and kill a momma fox, raccoon, you sentence the babies to death by starvation....a very painful and inhumane death.

Fix the holes in your coop, and lock up your chickens at night like many others do.

If you cant do that..go get a digital trail/hunting/remote camera from Wal Mart, set it up and SEE what is killing your chickens.

But for the sake of babies, don't go killing any females.

And shooting it is not going to solve the problem either.

Fix your pen and secure your chicks at night!:bs: Find whatever it is and KILL IT arkie!! ESPECIALLY if it has babies!!

I KNEW we were going to rue the day the UAVs showed up.

:bs: Find whatever it is and KILL IT arkie!! ESPECIALLY if it has babies!!

I will kill it. I had to kill my 5 year old rescue chicken Darla after finding her with most of her back and side eaten out while she was still alive :bawl:. I had to handle the remains of countless other dead chickens and another live one after these attacks. If I kill a female predator that has babies? I'm sure that some other critter will come along and eat those babies, isn't nature brutal yet wonderful? It's the cycle of life in the wild.

I will kill it. I had to kill my 5 year old rescue chicken Darla after finding her with most of her back and side eaten out while she was still alive :bawl:. I had to handle the remains of countless other dead chickens and another live one after these attacks. If I kill a female predator that has babies? I'm sure that some other critter will come along and eat those babies, isn't nature brutal yet wonderful? It's the cycle of life in the wild.

I know where you are coming from. Many times over the years, I've had same thing. You think things are normal when you go out, then you go to let them out of the coop and see nothing but carnage. You're heart feels like its been kicked and your gut feels like it just dropped to the floor. *hugs* Its not a good feeling when you raise pet poultry! Good luck!! It can can only get better from here! :huggy: I'll be thinking of you and your pet chickens tonight!!

When I was a kid, our Husky got loose and killed 6 chickens that some folks had up the road. We were glad the chicken folks didn't kill him.

I know where you are coming from. Many times over the years, I've had same thing. You think things are normal when you go out, then you go to let them out of the coop and see nothing but carnage. You're heart feels like its been kicked and your gut feels like it just dropped to the floor. *hugs* Its not a good feeling when you raise pet poultry! Good luck!! It can can only get better from here! :huggy: I'll be thinking of you and your pet chickens tonight!!

I stayed near the coop until about 9pm then headed inside - figured it won't come with me standing guard. So I checked all the traps and the coop at 10:30 - nothing.

And then there were 8 ......

5am I go out and find 2 cats in traps and 1 more dead chicken in the coop. So it bypassed the baited traps for fresh chicken. It got her off the roosting shelf (only white chicken I had) and dragged her near the front of the coop to kill/eat her. I Removed her body (pullet) and there in the pile of feathers was an egg she laid. I can't eat or sell that egg - sounds weird but I just can't knowing she was being killed or was dead when that egg came out of her :bawl: .

I have lost count now of how many chickens this predator has killed, but I think we are up to 9 chickens now in less then 2 weeks. In that pen there are 8 left (have 5 others in a different location).

So my plan of attack today is to again look for signs of the entry point and move the chickens to cages in the shed for the night and put the baited trap cages inside and outside the coop.

I let the cats go, 1 seemed like it was domestic and the other acted feral.

You know my cousin had the same problem, he was losing chickens and finding their parts around the pen,Put up a trail cam and also set traps around the area, the trail cam showed a Raccoon was the culprit, and would find a weaknesss in the chicken wire and then reach in and pull one out, clever things they are, it would avoid the traps with sardines and tuna fish, just to get the fresh meat, it took awhile but we finally found his access points and closed them off

You know my cousin had the same problem, he was losing chickens and finding their parts around the pen,Put up a trail cam and also set traps around the area, the trail cam showed a Raccoon was the culprit, and would find a weaknesss in the chicken wire and then reach in and pull one out, clever things they are, it would avoid the traps with sardines and tuna fish, just to get the fresh meat, it took awhile but we finally found his access points and closed them off

Can't wait to catch whatever it is. I saved a section of feathers from last nights attack that were torn off with flesh attached and put it inside a trap that I will use tonight. Note sure if I want to put that trap inside the coop or outside?

I am baffled as to how the predator is getting in! I was looking for clues like footprints or fur stuck somewhere that it is squeezing in.

Can't wait to catch whatever it is. I saved a section of feathers from last nights attack that were torn off with flesh attached and put it inside a trap that I will use tonight. Note sure if I want to put that trap inside the coop or outside?

I am baffled as to how the predator is getting in! I was looking for clues like footprints or fur stuck somewhere that it is squeezing in.

You won't catch a raccoon or a fox in those traps -- they are too smart. Foxes kill everything though and then pick one to eat so it is probably a possum or a raccoon. Possums are stupid nasty animals and you should be able to catch it if that is the culprit. Raccoons you almost have to catch in the act. You are supposed to call DNR and get a license number to trap nuisance animals. It's just a phone call and they give you a number. Keeps you out of trouble and you can dispose of the animal however you see fit. Otherwise there's a fine if they catch you. Just another tax really but it only takes a minute to get the license number. Check their website for the contact info, I don't have it handy. Split the difference with the shotgun and get a 20g. That'll take care of whatever you need and doesn't have a bad kick. I prefer a .410 but if you want to be sure to only have to shoot once go with a 20g.

You won't catch a raccoon or a fox in those traps -- they are too smart. Foxes kill everything though and then pick one to eat so it is probably a possum or a raccoon. Possums are stupid nasty animals and you should be able to catch it if that is the culprit. Raccoons you almost have to catch in the act. You are supposed to call DNR and get a license number to trap nuisance animals. It's just a phone call and they give you a number. Keeps you out of trouble and you can dispose of the animal however you see fit. Otherwise there's a fine if they catch you. Just another tax really but it only takes a minute to get the license number. Check their website for the contact info, I don't have it handy. Split the difference with the shotgun and get a 20g. That'll take care of whatever you need and doesn't have a bad kick. I prefer a .410 but if you want to be sure to only have to shoot once go with a 20g.

I've caught many a raccoon in traps. Opossums too. Raccoons will damage the trap trying to get out though. I have never caught a fox in a trap though. I'll call DNR right away.

I really WANT this predator BAD. If I have to I'll take into the woods and put a 380 in it.

DNR won't give me permission to trap it unless I KNOW what kind of animal it is. Oh well, I tried to do it right way.

DNR won't give me permission to trap it unless I KNOW what kind of animal it is. Oh well, I tried to do it right way.

Sit in your backyard with a shotgun....case closed :yay:

Get a 20 gauge. Will do the job with less kick. You can get target loads. I suspect a raccoon or a fox. So sorry for your loss. I've had it happen and, of course, to the sweetest most friendly chicken I had. I've also had to put a couple out of their misery due to illness. All of which stinks, but it's just part of it.

Sit in your backyard with a shotgun....case closed :yay:

It's not going to show if I'm sitting there unfortunately. Gotta a shotgun I can borrow? :whistle:

I KNEW we were going to rue the day the UAVs showed up.

Obama musta declared them chickens to be al quedas and who done posed an imminent threat AND were unlikely to be able to be captured in addition to a presidential finding that the coop was not US turf.

:jameo:

Get a 20 gauge. Will do the job with less kick. You can get target loads. I suspect a raccoon or a fox. So sorry for your loss. I've had it happen and, of course, to the sweetest most friendly chicken I had. I've also had to put a couple out of their misery due to illness. All of which stinks, but it's just part of it.

Thanks, I know, so I'm trying to be tough about it - did what I had to do to end Darla's suffering. Just did hours of reinforcement with 1" hardware cloth (why do they call it that when it's metal not cloth?) and I was able to close in several small gaps.

You don't think the cats killed them?

You don't think the cats killed them?

If the cats in the traps had killed the chickens, why were they still hungry enough after eating the chicken to go in the traps?

If the cats in the traps had killed the chickens, why were they still hungry enough after eating the chicken to go in the traps?

No sense taking chances. Whack the cats. :evil:

You don't think the cats killed them?

:smack:

Opossums have 3 points of defense....
1. Open mouth and hiss and fluff up tongue, meant to scare you off..It is showing you its BIG teeth, all 50 of them!
2. Excrete green, nasty smelling liquid from anal glands..it smells so bad, you, the predator, wont eat it.




sounds like a Ferret

When we had chickens, our culprit was racoons. We caught several of them in the traps over a period of time.

Your chickens must of been suspected terrorists..

Obama musta declared them chickens to be al quedas and who done posed an imminent threat AND were unlikely to be able to be captured in addition to a presidential finding that the coop was not US turf.

:jameo:

DAMN, beat me to it!!

DAMN, beat me to it!!

Gives a whole new meaning to 'flew the coop' don't it???


:lol:

DAMN, beat me to it!!

Actually, you beat me to it; you made the UAV reference first.

I'm just riffing off of you.

You really need to learn about the animals you live with...
Stick you hand in the face of an opossum and you WILL get nailed..AGAIN!

Opossums are the least aggressive of all ..

IF you find one, take a towel, toss it at its face, then as it tries to get the towel off, grab it by the tail, pick it up and move it away.....
It is a marsupial and you CAN pick them up by the tail without hurting them.

Opossums have 3 points of defense....
1. Open mouth and hiss and fluff up tongue, meant to scare you off..It is showing you its BIG teeth, all 50 of them!
2. Excrete green, nasty smelling liquid from anal glands..it smells so bad, you, the predator, wont eat it.
3. Plays dead, it now smells, it is drooling and you as a predator will not eat it..or even think about it!



So you're saying they #### themselves when they go into defence mode?

Gives a whole new meaning to 'flew the coop' don't it???


:lol:

At this point, I think this critter is smart because it has not gone into a trap cage at all. On the other hand, I am now acquainted with all the roaming cats in the area LOL Caught the black one I had seen around. Wow he's big and he's nasty - was hissing and spitting ferociously. Apparently I need to trap those cats again and get them fixed.

The critter got in again (but hens were safe in a cage in the shed) and I knew it had been there because I left an egg there and it ate the contents of the egg. Hmm. I think I need to setup a blind and wait for it, armed :evil:.

At this point, I think this critter is smart because it has not gone into a trap cage at all. On the other hand, I am now acquainted with all the roaming cats in the area LOL Caught the black one I had seen around. Wow he's big and he's nasty - was hissing and spitting ferociously. Apparently I need to trap those cats again and get them fixed.

The critter got in again (but hens were safe in a cage in the shed) and I knew it had been there because I left an egg there and it ate the contents of the egg. Hmm. I think I need to setup a blind and wait for it, armed :evil:.

:coffee:

you need to call Turtle Man!!!!!

:coffee:

you need to call Turtle Man!!!!!

:confused:

:coffee:

you need to call Turtle Man!!!!!

Is he related to Particle Man?

Particle Man - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNT8SMlqLJA)

I stayed near the coop until about 9pm then headed inside - figured it won't come with me standing guard. So I checked all the traps and the coop at 10:30 - nothing.

And then there were 8 ......

5am I go out and find 2 cats in traps and 1 more dead chicken in the coop. So it bypassed the baited traps for fresh chicken. It got her off the roosting shelf (only white chicken I had) and dragged her near the front of the coop to kill/eat her. I Removed her body (pullet) and there in the pile of feathers was an egg she laid. I can't eat or sell that egg - sounds weird but I just can't knowing she was being killed or was dead when that egg came out of her :bawl: .

I have lost count now of how many chickens this predator has killed, but I think we are up to 9 chickens now in less then 2 weeks. In that pen there are 8 left (have 5 others in a different location).

So my plan of attack today is to again look for signs of the entry point and move the chickens to cages in the shed for the night and put the baited trap cages inside and outside the coop.

I let the cats go, 1 seemed like it was domestic and the other acted feral.

That kind of behavior sounds more like a gray fox. They are smaller, and the only fox that can climb ( they climb trees and raid birds nests).
Grays are small and can get into spaces like cats can.

And the 1" wire is also called "rat wire" because it is stronger then chicken netting and people use to to "patch holes", like using cloth to patch holes in clothes...it is an old term that folks still use today :shrug:
I buy mine in in large rolls from the Amish in Loveville. Use if for making cages for wildlife. Works great when you use the wire clips with it.

I will kill it. I had to kill my 5 year old rescue chicken Darla after finding her with most of her back and side eaten out while she was still alive :bawl:. I had to handle the remains of countless other dead chickens and another live one after these attacks. If I kill a female predator that has babies? I'm sure that some other critter will come along and eat those babies, isn't nature brutal yet wonderful? It's the cycle of life in the wild.

If you had built a better chicken coop, your animals would be safe.
Don't blame a preditor for taking advantage of your poorly built or maintained chicken coop.

If they cant get into the coop, they will go elsewhere.

You will never get rid of the wildlife that can and will get into a coop to eat your chickens no matter how hard you try or how many traps you put out.

Here ya go Arky, how to build a chicken coop...all pictures!! So easy to do!! (http://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+build+a+chicken+coop&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=ivnsr&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=15xXT9jmLKuE0QH6ldEr&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ)

Or just Google, "How to build a chicken coop"

If you had built a better chicken coop, your animals would be safe.
Don't blame a preditor for taking advantage of your poorly built or maintained chicken coop.

If they cant get into the coop, they will go elsewhere.

You will never get rid of the wildlife that can and will get into a coop to eat your chickens no matter how hard you try or how many traps you put out. Why don't you go F yourself with a crow bar and get off her ass Miss Perfect. :smack:

Shall we bring up your drunk thread from the other night?

Why don't you go F yourself with a crow bar and get off her ass Miss Perfect. :smack:

Shall we bring up your drunk thread from the other night?

Dude...seriously, i dont think that was alcohol...she is just a loon 24/7.

If you had built a better chicken coop, your animals would be safe.
Don't blame a preditor for taking advantage of your poorly built or maintained chicken coop.

If they cant get into the coop, they will go elsewhere.

You will never get rid of the wildlife that can and will get into a coop to eat your chickens no matter how hard you try or how many traps you put out.

And if you relocated feral cats better, people like me wouldnt have to shoot them and run them down with our 4 wheelers (great fun by the way)

Why don't you go F yourself with a crow bar and get off her ass Miss Perfect. :smack:

Shall we bring up your drunk thread from the other night?

She fell off the wagon AGAIN? Gee some help AA is for HER. NOT.

And if you relocated feral cats better, people like me wouldnt have to shoot them and run them down with our 4 wheelers (great fun by the way)

People who swing from one extreme to another usually need medication to balance them out. I believe she fits this description. Just ignore her and she might go away.

And if you relocated feral cats better, people like me wouldnt have to shoot them and run them down with our 4 wheelers (great fun by the way)

Hey.. I am one who is glad we have coyotes in SoMD as they will keep the feral cat problem in check!
I have nothing to do with relocating feral cats!!! :killingme

Why don't you go F yourself with a crow bar and get off her ass Miss Perfect. :smack:

Shall we bring up your drunk thread from the other night?

Is that how you deal with women.... with a crowbar? You DO have issues

:killingme
Please do... I would LOVE to see it Bahahaha!!

She fell off the wagon AGAIN? Gee some help AA is for HER. NOT.

How would you know? You now going to AA/NA meetings?:coffee:

Is that how you deal with women.... with a crowbar? You DO have issues

:killingme
Please do... I would LOVE to see it Bahahaha!!

I am willing to bet nothing has been up there in awhile...:yay:

I am willing to bet nothing has been up there in awhile...:yay:

OMG!! :killingme:

:roflmao:

:smack:

What? I was just asking? You don't think cats will kill them?

:smack:
Just felt like slappin' you again....lol DP

Is that how you deal with women.... with a crowbar? You DO have issues

:killingme
Please do... I would LOVE to see it Bahahaha!!

Where the hell did he say anything about whacking a woman with a crowbar?

Is that how you deal with women.... with a crowbar? You DO have issues

:killingme
Please do... I would LOVE to see it Bahahaha!!
1. Women love the way I deal with them.
2. You asked for it, now everyone can see what a drunk loon you are. :buddies:
3. You should find Fairmount. :birdsofafeather:

http://forums.somd.com/politics/241998-meet-law-student-feminist-hero-sandra-fluke.html

They've begun wondering when your next meltdown will be. :killingme

1. Women love the way I deal with them.
2. You asked for it, now everyone can see what a drunk loon you are. :buddies:
3. You should find Fairmount. :birdsofafeather:

http://forums.somd.com/politics/241998-meet-law-student-feminist-hero-sandra-fluke.html

They've begun wondering when your next meltdown will be. :killingme

You have me confused with someone else Baha,, I am not a drunk nor a drunk loon.

So lets not try to hijack Arkys' thread...ok?

Thank you!
Now be a good boy and settle down.

( and no meltdown here!!!! :killingme)
Thank you!

You have me confused with someone else Baha,, I am not a drunk nor a drunk loon.

So lets not try to hijack Arkys' thread...ok?

Thank you!
Now be a good boy and settle down.

( and no meltdown here!!!! :killingme)
Thank you!
The first step is admitting you have a problem. :poorbaby:
Denial will cause you not to recover. :otter:

Everyone who reads your posts comes to the same conclusion, just go read the replies. :crazy:

The first step is admitting you have a problem. :poorbaby:
Denial will cause you not to recover. :otter:

Everyone who reads your posts comes to the same conclusion, just go read the replies. :crazy:

So you are calling me a drunk?

Tell you what..next time YOU go to an AA meeting, pick me up some info like a good member of AA would. :killingme

Thank you for you care and concern!!! :howdy:

So you are calling me a drunk?

Tell you what..next time YOU go to an AA meeting, pick me up some info like a good member of AA would. :killingme

Thank you for you care and concern!!! :howdy:Oh good, you're asking for help! That's a start. I'm happy to help!

http://www.somdintergroup.org/Where_When_2012.pdf

She doesn't REALLY want help, she just wants an avenue to amuse herself daily by being rude and nasty to people and acting out by slamming people. I do understand that people with problems are usually the last to know, and even then some won't admit it. So I think you are wasting your time here. 80% of the forum folks could tell her she has a problem and she still wouldn't listen.

BTW I saw that Ruby Tuesdays is offering Baja Chicken Tacos - :drool:

on a lighter note about barn life .....

Oh good, you're asking for help! That's a start. I'm happy to help!

http://www.somdintergroup.org/Where_When_2012.pdf

I asked you to pick me up info Bahahahaha....
So much for your "help"


Have fun picking on someone else because you dont bother me !! :wench::killingme:killingme


Arkie, It might help if you took care of your animals instead of going around picking up bodies and trying to trap and kill ALL the other animals in your neighborhood. Esp when it comes to trapping peoples cats!

Build a (new) better chicken coop and they wont get eaten.
It is that simple sweetie!
You and Baja have fun!!!:whistle:

She doesn't REALLY want help, she just wants an avenue to amuse herself daily by being rude and nasty to people and acting out by slamming people. I do understand that people with problems are usually the last to know, and even then some won't admit it. So I think you are wasting your time here. 80% of the forum folks could tell her she has a problem and she still wouldn't listen.

BTW I saw that Ruby Tuesdays is offering Baja Chicken Tacos - :drool:

So Dr. Arky, what kind of problem do you THINK I have??????
( this should be very funny!!!)

At least MY animals don't get eaten because of poor housing!!

So Dr. Arky, what kind of problem do you THINK I have??????
( this should be very funny!!!)

At least MY animals don't get eaten because of poor housing!!
maybe I'll dig up your past meltdowns under both user names and let everyone see for themselves. :crazy:

Oh rats... :killingme
This message is hidden because Lance2U is on your ignore list.

Oh rats... :killingme
This message is hidden because Lance2U is on your ignore list.

Hey that happens to me on Katelin and Lance and Pooazz - I think they should form a singing group and go on the road! Oh wait - what was Katelin's other name? We need to add that so there will be 4 of them in the group.

Man all the feisty stuff is happening in the animal section. good lord.

it's sad that you don't leave your posts online like Katelin does so we can re-read it and laugh about it all. We all need to laugh, it's good for us :razz:

maybe I'll dig up your past meltdowns under both user names and let everyone see for themselves. :crazy:

What's funny is she resents it when people make fun of HER for being a drunk and unstable, yet she doesn't get that people do that because she throws dirt at people and thinks nothing of it. It may not be mature of us to throw dirt in HER face, but with how she acts, she deserves much more than we can dish out :gossip:.

maybe I'll dig up your past meltdowns under both user names and let everyone see for themselves. :crazy:

Help me out here, I'm a little slow on putting 2n x 8 3/7's=Z together

Help me out here, I'm a little slow on putting 2n x 8 3/7's=Z togetherVrai is the board Algebra guru... :lol:

Help me out here, I'm a little slow on putting 2n x 8 3/7's=Z together

2n * 8.429 = z

2 * 8.429n = z

16.858n = z

Solving for variable 'n'.

Move all terms containing n to the left, all other terms to the right.

Divide each side by '16.858'.
n = 0.05931901768z

I asked you to pick me up info Bahahahaha....
So much for your "help"


Have fun picking on someone else because you dont bother me !! :wench::killingme:killingme


Arkie, It might help if you took care of your animals instead of going around picking up bodies and trying to trap and kill ALL the other animals in your neighborhood. Esp when it comes to trapping peoples cats!

Build a (new) better chicken coop and they wont get eaten.
It is that simple sweetie!
You and Baja have fun!!!:whistle:

Think you need to change your Location as you are NOT on "planet earth" ..... you exhibit all signs of being a space cadet, fo sho

Damn noseum bugs!! :killingme
This message is hidden because Lance2U is on your ignore list.

I asked you to pick me up info Bahahahaha....
So much for your "help"


Have fun picking on someone else because you dont bother me !! :wench::killingme:killingme


Arkie, It might help if you took care of your animals instead of going around picking up bodies and trying to trap and kill ALL the other animals in your neighborhood. Esp when it comes to trapping peoples cats!

Build a (new) better chicken coop and they wont get eaten.
It is that simple sweetie!
You and Baja have fun!!!:whistle:
If cats are running loose, they need to be trapped and put down, or just shot if you live where you can do it.
If it is someones cat sneaking in and killing the chickens, then she should sue the people that claim ownership, of nobody claims ownership, kill the cat.
I would trap it, try to get an owner to admit to it being theirs, and if not, I would either kill it or have it put down.

Next time maybe someone would think about keeping the cat under control.

oh, and I have nothing against using feral kittens for bait when fishing off shore.

maybe I'll dig up your past meltdowns under both user names and let everyone see for themselves. :crazy:
Please DO!!

:smack:
Just felt like slappin' you again....lol DP

thank you may i have another?:wench:

thank you may i have another?:wench:

:smoochy:

maybe I'll dig up your past meltdowns under both user names and let everyone see for themselves. :crazy:

Three that I've seen. Inkpen, Moochkitty and Katelin :yay: I'm waiting for a 4th :lol:

Three that I've seen. Inkpen, Moochkitty and Katelin :yay: I'm waiting for a 4th :lol:

Is Katelin really Mousebaby????

Is Katelin really Mousebaby????

Actually I misspoke, I think the name was MoochCat or something... dont know about Mousebaby... anything is possible, if not then they should hook up!! :killingme: They may be long lost relatives! :lol:

Three that I've seen. Inkpen, Moochkitty and Katelin :yay: I'm waiting for a 4th :lol:

Ya know Cricket, Back then I had thin skin and had never been the target of so many faceless, nameless bullies in my life! Never been on a forum before.

So I had to hide (like you all do ) behind made up names and cartoon faces.

Now with thicker skin and a real life " I really dont care about you or what you say because if you bully here, then you bully in real life...and I dont care about your bully behavior.

You love to pick on people who have disabilities, love to work for and advocate for the weak and injured, and because I am not like you, ( I don't drink, smoke or mess around) I am a target for your nasty, foul mouthed comments.
Well, no matter what you say, or how much time you waste looking up old threads and posting it, it does not bother me!

If you want to shoot cats, have fun
..if you want to use feral kittens for fish bait, good luck.
Shoot, cook, eat squirrels....enjoy!! (watch out for parasites)
Want to keep them as pets, have fun..
Do what you want, say what you want...it is your life, your consequences.


and Baha you what me to "fu ck myself with a crowbar"....aint gonna happen and how dare you post such stuff on a public forum. With comments like that I really wonder how you treat women in real life.
I cant believe you REALLY are not an abuser at some level.

So have fun, enjoy,and I thank you for all the time and attention you are giving me instead of talking about more important matters! I am not flattered..really...

Remember..sticks and stones will hurt my bones, but names can NEVER hurt me.!

Have a nice nite!!!:howdy:

Ya know Cricket, Back then I had thin skin and had never been the target of so many faceless, nameless bullies in my life! Never been on a forum before.

So I had to hide (like you all do ) behind made up names and cartoon faces.

Now with thicker skin and a real life " I really dont care about you or what you say because if you bully here, then you bully in real life...and I dont care about your bully behavior.

You love to pick on people who have disabilities, love to work for and advocate for the weak and injured, and because I am not like you, ( I don't drink, smoke or mess around) I am a target for your nasty, foul mouthed comments.
Well, no matter what you say, or how much time you waste looking up old threads and posting it, it does not bother me!

If you want to shoot cats, have fun
..if you want to use feral kittens for fish bait, good luck.
Shoot, cook, eat squirrels....enjoy!! (watch out for parasites)
Want to keep them as pets, have fun..
Do what you want, say what you want...it is your life, your consequences.


and Baha you what me to "fu ck myself with a crowbar"....aint gonna happen and how dare you post such stuff on a public forum. With comments like that I really wonder how you treat women in real life.
I cant believe you REALLY are not an abuser at some level.

So have fun, enjoy,and I thank you for all the time and attention you are giving me instead of talking about more important matters! I am not flattered..really...

Remember..sticks and stones will hurt my bones, but names can NEVER hurt me.!

Have a nice nite!!!:howdy:

Wow!!! What a hypocrite! You bully, pick on and stalk Arkie.... :twitch:

Ya know Cricket, Back then I had thin skin and had never been the target of so many faceless, nameless bullies in my life! Never been on a forum before.

So I had to hide (like you all do ) behind made up names and cartoon faces.

Now with thicker skin and a real life " I really dont care about you or what you say because if you bully here, then you bully in real life...and I dont care about your bully behavior.

You love to pick on people who have disabilities, love to work for and advocate for the weak and injured, and because I am not like you, ( I don't drink, smoke or mess around) I am a target for your nasty, foul mouthed comments.
Well, no matter what you say, or how much time you waste looking up old threads and posting it, it does not bother me!

If you want to shoot cats, have fun
..if you want to use feral kittens for fish bait, good luck.
Shoot, cook, eat squirrels....enjoy!! (watch out for parasites)
Want to keep them as pets, have fun..
Do what you want, say what you want...it is your life, your consequences.


and Baha you what me to "fu ck myself with a crowbar"....aint gonna happen and how dare you post such stuff on a public forum. With comments like that I really wonder how you treat women in real life.
I cant believe you REALLY are not an abuser at some level.

So have fun, enjoy,and I thank you for all the time and attention you are giving me instead of talking about more important matters! I am not flattered..really...

Remember..sticks and stones will hurt my bones, but names can NEVER hurt me.!

Have a nice nite!!!:howdy:


OMF - gosh!! :killingme: You bully the crap out of people on here and their animal issues, you bully Cattitude, ArkRescue and others and yet I'm the bully because I simply called out another MPD of yours - MoochCat? Really? That makes me a bully?? :killingme: Sticks and stones don't break your bones but apparently me calling you out on another MPD DID deserve you to get your panties in wad. Remember... its just a post, not a dick, dont take it so hard up the azz! :huggy: :huggy: :huggy:

its just a post, not a dick, dont take it so hard up the azz! :huggy: :huggy: :huggy:

psssttt... she said she doesn't drink, smoke or mess around..... :lmao:

psssttt... she said she doesn't drink, smoke or mess around..... :lmao:

Maybe thats why her panties stay in a wad :yay:

:popcorn:

So I had to hide (like you all do ) behind made up names and cartoon faces. We don't hide. In fact, a LOT of people have met me. There are open threads for meet & greets. Maybe if you stopped jumping peoples ass for no reason you'd be better liked. Just sayin....:bubble:

and Baha you what me to "fu ck myself with a crowbar"....aint gonna happen and how dare you post such stuff on a public forum. With comments like that I really wonder how you treat women in real life. I cant believe you REALLY are not an abuser at some level. How dare I? How dare you pick on Arkie who hasn't said a stern word to anyone on here? Now who's the abuser again?? Believe what you want but ask anyone who's met me what I'm like. I post what others are thinking but don't wish to post themselves.

Lets not forget ole somd_elf. The classic meltdown thread. :killingme
She had it deleted but you can get some info here: http://forums.somd.com/life-southern-maryland/196646-somd-elf-poofed-3.html

Why did you delete all Elfs posts and the thread Katelin?? Maybe embarrassed by one of your meltdowns? :coffee:

So, um, did you find out what is killing your chickens? My bet is on a opposum.

Lets not forget ole somd_elf. The classic meltdown thread. :killingme
She had it deleted but you can get some info here: http://forums.somd.com/life-southern-maryland/196646-somd-elf-poofed-3.html

Why did you delete all Elfs posts and the thread Katelin?? Maybe embarrassed by one of your meltdowns? :coffee:

Tsk. She was thinned skin back then. Not to worry, she's got thicker skin now. :rawr:

Wow!!! What a hypocrite! You bully, pick on and stalk Arkie.... :twitch:



:yeahthat:

I don't know anything about what you all are arguing about,but I would like to offer some help about your chickens. It was this guy,I'm sure of it. it's safe for work.
Photobucket | predator Pictures, predator Images, predator Photos (http://photobucket.com/images/predator/)

I don't know anything about what you all are arguing about,but I would like to offer some help about your chickens. It was this guy,I'm sure of it. it's safe for work.
Photobucket | predator Pictures, predator Images, predator Photos (http://photobucket.com/images/predator/)

:lmao: That came to mind from the beginning of this tread. :lol:

So, um, did you find out what is killing your chickens? My bet is on a opposum.

Not yet, last night was night 2 that it did not eat the egg in the coop, so it either didn't come or didn't get in. I wish I had one of those trail cameras to get pictures of it. I am getting weary of collecting the hens and transporting them over to the shed to a cage for the night.

Not all of them WANT to be caught, so my aerobic activity for the day is running around a 13'x26' coop with lots of obstacles in the way like dust-bathing bin, feeders, waterers, roosting poles and shelves (some like to roost on shelves)) to catch them for THEIR safety. Most of them run and freak out .... ooohhh noooo here she comes again ..... run faster Janet !!!!! I just think of healthy my heart must be after all this activity lol.

I don't know anything about what you all are arguing about,but I would like to offer some help about your chickens. It was this guy,I'm sure of it. it's safe for work.
Photobucket | predator Pictures, predator Images, predator Photos (http://photobucket.com/images/predator/)

My surf control at work won't let me go to that, weird LOL

We will be going to farm stores this weekend to try and recruit some construction savvy guys (or gals) to help fix up the current chicken pen (more) and rebuild the 2nd one from the sections we have left from the last pen. Hoping to find people that can work either this weekend (Sunday) and/or next Sat/Sun. The rescue can't afford to pay much, so $10 cash per hour is all we can offer.

Not going to be a precise professional job, since it's just a small farm. But we need it to be done well enough to prevent predators from getting in. Using hardware cloth 12" underground, and on all the sides, and poultry wire on top. Then we will install the roof from 2x4's slant mounted to the barn, then screw in the corrugated roofing on the 2x4's. We can probably handle the gutter installation ourselves.

The worker guy who accompanied me to Lowe's to buy $250 worth of electrical supplies to run the electric from the house to the barn never showed up to do it. So now it's too late to take all that stuff back, and I have to HOPE I have the right supplies for whoever ends up doing the job. I was warned that I need to use someone who is licensed, or I risk a bad job which could result in a fire.

Not yet, last night was night 2 that it did not eat the egg in the coop, so it either didn't come or didn't get in. I wish I had one of those trail cameras to get pictures of it. I am getting weary of collecting the hens and transporting them over to the shed to a cage for the night.

Not all of them WANT to be caught, so my aerobic activity for the day is running around a 13'x26' coop with lots of obstacles in the way like dust-bathing bin, feeders, waterers, roosting poles and shelves (some like to roost on shelves)) to catch them for THEIR safety. Most of them run and freak out .... ooohhh noooo here she comes again ..... run faster Janet !!!!! I just think of healthy my heart must be after all this activity lol.

There is a better way to do this so you wont cause the chickens stress
If you actually knew what you were doing you would already know this.

Dont have enough time here to spell it out slow for you, but Im sure that Katelin will be along soon to tell you what you are doing wrong.

:oldman:

There is a better way to do this so you wont cause the chickens stress
If you actually knew what you were doing you would already know this.

Dont have enough time here to spell it out slow for you, but Im sure that Katelin will be along soon to tell you what you are doing wrong.

:oldman:

Absolutely because she knows everything there is to know about wild critters :sarcasm:, and she also knows that you are talking about her again because she is a space cadet with special abilities. She also is perfect too :sarcasm:, I bet you didn't know that did you? :gossip: Yup she's something, she really is. :razz:

There is a better way to do this so you wont cause the chickens stress
If you actually knew what you were doing you would already know this.

Dont have enough time here to spell it out slow for you, but Im sure that Katelin will be along soon to tell you what you are doing wrong.

:oldman:

You know Vrai is going to kick me in the butt for this right? I'm just going to blame your influence LOL

I posted in the Outdoor Recreation area to get feedback on trail cameras in case anyone can give some recommendations:

http://forums.somd.com/outdoor-recreation/242464-trail-camera-recommendation.html#post4777653

I posted in the Outdoor Recreation area to get feedback on trail cameras in case anyone can give some recommendations:

http://forums.somd.com/outdoor-recreation/242464-trail-camera-recommendation.html#post4777653

cue KrazyKate in 5, 4, 3, 2.......

cue KrazyKate in 5, 4, 3, 2.......

:lol:

cue KrazyKate in 5, 4, 3, 2.......

:roflmao:

cue KrazyKate in 5, 4, 3, 2.......

Vrai is going to kick you in the butt too :razz:

I told my nearest neighbor if he hears a gunshot at night not to call 911 :wink:

I told my nearest neighbor if he hears a gunshot at night not to call 911 :wink:

:lol:

We will be going to farm stores this weekend to try and recruit some construction savvy guys (or gals) to help fix up the current chicken pen (more) and rebuild the 2nd one from the sections we have left from the last pen. Hoping to find people that can work either this weekend (Sunday) and/or next Sat/Sun. The rescue can't afford to pay much, so $10 cash per hour is all we can offer.

Not going to be a precise professional job, since it's just a small farm. But we need it to be done well enough to prevent predators from getting in. Using hardware cloth 12" underground, and on all the sides, and poultry wire on top. Then we will install the roof from 2x4's slant mounted to the barn, then screw in the corrugated roofing on the 2x4's. We can probably handle the gutter installation ourselves.

The worker guy who accompanied me to Lowe's to buy $250 worth of electrical supplies to run the electric from the house to the barn never showed up to do it. So now it's too late to take all that stuff back, and I have to HOPE I have the right supplies for whoever ends up doing the job. I was warned that I need to use someone who is licensed, or I risk a bad job which could result in a fire.Tell me what you're trying to do (electrical) and I can analyze it, make suggestions and tell you if what you have will work. I don't have time to do the install but will stop by and inspect the installation.

Tell me what you're trying to do (electrical) and I can analyze it, make suggestions and tell you if what you have will work. I don't have time to do the install but will stop by and inspect the installation.

ok thanks, I will PM ya'.

Vrai is going to kick you in the butt too :razz:

If it is a spank instead of a kick, I am game! :yahoo:

If it is a spank instead of a kick, I am game! :yahoo:

Well as a consolation prize, maybe we can hook you up with a different chick on the forum ..... :gossip:

If it is a spank instead of a kick, I am game! :yahoo:
:spank:
Well as a consolation prize, maybe we can hook you up with a different chick on the forum ..... :gossip:

:popcorn:

:spank:


:popcorn:

oops maybe that wouldn't qualify as a prize, and would be more of a punishment? :biggrin:

oops maybe that wouldn't qualify as a prize, and would be more of a punishment? :biggrin:

:twitch:

Tell me what you're trying to do (electrical) and I can analyze it, make suggestions and tell you if what you have will work. I don't have time to do the install but will stop by and inspect the installation.

You should inspect my work, make BadGirl feel better about her house not burning down!!

You should inspect my work, make BadGirl feel better about her house not burning down!!

Not sure him inspecting your house would have the same potential fringe benefits :whistle: would it? :eyebrow:

j/k

Not sure him inspecting your house would have the same potential fringe benefits :whistle: would it? :eyebrow:

j/k

You bangin' Mikey?

You bangin' Mikey?

No, are you? :gossip:

I said j/k silly .... sike - maybe you understand that better? lol

Not sure him inspecting your house would have the same potential fringe benefits :whistle: would it? :eyebrow:

j/kDAYUM!! :dye:

You bangin' Mikey?DAYUM!! :dye:

No, are you? :gossip:

I said j/k silly .... sike - maybe you understand that better? lolDamn. :ohwell:

DAYUM!! :dye:

DAYUM!! :dye:

Damn. :ohwell:

Awww :poorbaby:

Here are a few of the chickens that survived the carnage. The 2 buff colored ones are rescues (Buff Orpington crosses I think) and the zebra looking one is barred Plymouth Rock, the gray one is a Blue Andalusian, and the black one is a Black Jersey Giant.

Pretty!!

Pretty!!

I seem to have a passion for chickens. Interestingly I don't come across rescue chickens often, I wonder why?

We are still trying to find someone with carpentry/farm knowledge to help fix the pens up better. You'd think with the bad economy we'd be able to find people more easily looking to make some extra cash? I'll add a picture of Sweetie too. Sweetie is a Brown Leghorn.

I seem to have a passion for chickens. Interestingly I don't come across rescue chickens often, I wonder why?

We are still trying to find someone with carpentry/farm knowledge to help fix the pens up better. You'd think with the bad economy we'd be able to find people more easily looking to make some extra cash? I'll add a picture of Sweetie too. Sweetie is a Brown Leghorn.

Despite what the other idiot said if you have chickens you will have predators and if AIR can get in your pen they will eventually find a way in. Since you mention it ate the egg you left that points to racoon or possum and since you haven't caught it yet I'm thinking racoon. They are VERY difficult to trap; if you've caught them in a cage trap before you were lucky. Possums are pretty stupid and trapped easily. Usually once the offending animal is neutralized you are ok for a time. My chickens now roost at night in houses with floors and I close them up, but you still have to have ventilation so there are windows which are pretty high off the ground. It doesn't happen often, but there are times when a racoon gets in the house through one of those windows(may be once a year). The offending animal is neutralized and we have no more problems for a long time. My best defense has been my dog who barks at every noise!! Real carnage happens when I forget to close them up (which after one night of total losses I don't forget any more!!)

Can't believe DNR wants to know the animal BEFORE you trap it, LOL! Oh well..... I don't remember them asking me that...

Despite what the other idiot said if you have chickens you will have predators and if AIR can get in your pen they will eventually find a way in. Since you mention it ate the egg you left that points to racoon or possum and since you haven't caught it yet I'm thinking racoon. They are VERY difficult to trap; if you've caught them in a cage trap before you were lucky. Possums are pretty stupid and trapped easily. Usually once the offending animal is neutralized you are ok for a time. My chickens now roost at night in houses with floors and I close them up, but you still have to have ventilation so there are windows which are pretty high off the ground. It doesn't happen often, but there are times when a racoon gets in the house through one of those windows(may be once a year). The offending animal is neutralized and we have no more problems for a long time. My best defense has been my dog who barks at every noise!! Real carnage happens when I forget to close them up (which after one night of total losses I don't forget any more!!)

Can't believe DNR wants to know the animal BEFORE you trap it, LOL! Oh well..... I don't remember them asking me that...

I believe the reason the predator is no longer getting in (after eating the egg) is that it doesn't see/smell them in there at night? Why work at getting in if there isn't anything to get. I bet if I left them in at night that predator would get in again.

I am trying to predator-proof a 13'x26' pen with a roof. Not just an enclosed roosting area for them to sleep at night. I think the chickens do better roosting in open air Spring-Fall. So part of my problem is that the pen is so large that materials for hardware cloth alone can be high.

Hopefully soon I'll have the trail cam to SEE what is coming by. The fact that they want to KNOW what it is before I trap forces people to a) stay up all night waiting to see what it is, b) install a trail cam to see what it is, or (more likely) c) trap it then call to say they SAW a raccoon, all the while they have the raccoon in the trap, then they have to wait until the next day to say come get the raccoon? So the critter stays in a cage for potentially 2 days (or more) which is unfair to the critter (and probably illegal).

Only caught stray/feral cats the first 2 days then nothing. Stopped setting the traps. I don't want to LURE wild critters to my property by providing baited traps.

DAYUM!! :dye:

DAYUM!! :dye:

Damn. :ohwell:

:killingme:killingme

:killingme:killingme

How come you don't online flirt with Arkie anymore? It was so cute!

How come you don't online flirt with Arkie anymore? It was so cute!

:popcorn:

How come you don't online flirt with Arkie anymore? It was so cute!

Maybe because the distant flirting stage is over ... maybe because what happens now isn't for all ears? :whistle:

:popcorn:

you stop that LOL :jerry:

How come you don't online flirt with Arkie anymore? It was so cute!

AND who are you REALLY anyway? :evil:

I believe the reason the predator is no longer getting in (after eating the egg) is that it doesn't see/smell them in there at night? Why work at getting in if there isn't anything to get. I bet if I left them in at night that predator would get in again.

I am trying to predator-proof a 13'x26' pen with a roof. Not just an enclosed roosting area for them to sleep at night. I think the chickens do better roosting in open air Spring-Fall. So part of my problem is that the pen is so large that materials for hardware cloth alone can be high.

Hopefully soon I'll have the trail cam to SEE what is coming by. The fact that they want to KNOW what it is before I trap forces people to a) stay up all night waiting to see what it is, b) install a trail cam to see what it is, or (more likely) c) trap it then call to say they SAW a raccoon, all the while they have the raccoon in the trap, then they have to wait until the next day to say come get the raccoon? So the critter stays in a cage for potentially 2 days (or more) which is unfair to the critter (and probably illegal).

Only caught stray/feral cats the first 2 days then nothing. Stopped setting the traps. I don't want to LURE wild critters to my property by providing baited traps.

....and that's my point -- air can pass through any caging material you use and therefore the predators will find a way in eventually. The only luck I've ever had is enclosing them at night. My chickens houses have high windows for ventilation when it is warm at night. At dusk they go in to roost on their own and all I do is close the doors. I let them out early in the a.m. and they seem very happy and uneaten.

....and that's my point -- air can pass through any caging material you use and therefore the predators will find a way in eventually. The only luck I've ever had is enclosing them at night. My chickens houses have high windows for ventilation when it is warm at night. At dusk they go in to roost on their own and all I do is close the doors. I let them out early in the a.m. and they seem very happy and uneaten.

I will have to construct a "safe house" for them to roost in after this experience. I need to find a design I like that is simple (a carpenter I am NOT).

My Husband built a shed, with nest boxes, windows, and a door for us to gain access. There is a little door for the chicks to get out in to an area that is covered from top, to bottom with wire. The roof of the pen has this plastic that is green, that allows for shade, and keeps the rain from bombarding the dirt floor. If you'd like to come see it Arkie, you are more than welcome..

My Husband built a shed, with nest boxes, windows, and a door for us to gain access. There is a little door for the chicks to get out in to an area that is covered from top, to bottom with wire. The roof of the pen has this plastic that is green, that allows for shade, and keeps the rain from bombarding the dirt floor. If you'd like to come see it Arkie, you are more than welcome..

Sounds like mine. Except for the shed part as a roosting place I used to have 3 sheds that I turned into chicken roosting areas, but sold them off when I was at living a property I could not use them. Now I wish I had kept 1 of them.

Looks like I will need to build one inside the pen. The pre-fab ones cost too much. My problem is that we have the top 1/3 of the pen covered in poultry wire which isn't fastened down well enough in some places. Areas that my helper saw that were small, oh nothing can get in that he'd say - yeah right I'd say, and I was considered being "negative" and blowing it out of proportion. So with 9 dead hens, how does my helper feel now? Bad I hope, because I know better and I told the helper it needed to be done with heavier gauge wire top to bottom not just the bottom 2/3. Oh well, what's done is done, time to move on and make it better so no more predators can get in.

On a good note, we bought some chicks from Tractor Supply last week. They are Red Sex Links (prolific layers). The red heat bulb makes the coloring look like that.

On a good note, we bought some chicks from Tractor Supply last week. They are Red Sex Links (prolific layers). The red heat bulb makes the coloring look like that.

Red Light Chicks! :hot:

on a good note, we bought some chicks from tractor supply last week. They are red sex links (prolific layers). The red heat bulb makes the coloring look like that.

cute!!

Red Light Chicks! :hot:

:lol: I thought of that song Roxanne by Police. :lol:

My Husband built a shed, with nest boxes, windows, and a door for us to gain access. There is a little door for the chicks to get out in to an area that is covered from top, to bottom with wire. The roof of the pen has this plastic that is green, that allows for shade, and keeps the rain from bombarding the dirt floor. If you'd like to come see it Arkie, you are more than welcome..

Too bad we can't pay your hubby to build a shed in my pens. I found 2 handymen in the Classifieds that I will get prices from to finish the work for the pens but I may still need someone that can build the roosting shed they need.

I decided I am also going to run electric lines around the pen to discourage predators (I have an extra elec. fence charger) - going to research online how best to run it (probably zig-zag) and I was also thinking about those automatic door openers for the roosting house - have you seen those? Very cool - but pricey ..... they also have a solar powered one - cool! That way if a predator did get into the pen, hopefully it would be gone the same way it got in before daybreak when the timer would open the door?

Automatic Chicken Door from My Pet Chicken (http://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/chickens/Automatic-Chicken-Door-p919.aspx)

Red Light Chicks! :hot:

:eyebrow:

Roman PS - I really like the idea of my chickens roosting in open air from Spring-Fall, so when I build the roosting shed, I'd probably only use it in the Winter (keep it closed all other times) unless it had a fan to circulate the air on humid, hot nights? Just thinking about 20-25 hens in a small space to sleep with their 102 degree bodies, make me hot just thinking about it.

I think I'll have to concentrate on making the entire pen predator-proof - that way I have until Winter to get a roosting shed built. I hear you can get roosting shed plans online for free - will see if I can find some. I have separate nest boxes, so don't need that in shed.

Chicken Facts by The Easy Chicken for beginners (http://shilala.homestead.com/chickenfacts.html)

Our Roosting Shed is enclosed on one side, which is the side that the Chicks gain entrance to it. It has a Window that opens, and a side door that we can get in there from. Both openings are covered with Screen, and Rabbit Wire so that we can leave them open for ventilation. We have a small hatch that leads to the Roosting Boxes, so we can get the eggs. I wish he had the time to do it for you Ark. I am going to write you a PM on a different subject. I don't want to steal this thread.

Our Roosting Shed is enclosed on one side, which is the side that the Chicks gain entrance to it. It has a Window that opens, and a side door that we can get in there from. Both openings are covered with Screen, and Rabbit Wire so that we can leave them open for ventilation. We have a small hatch that leads to the Roosting Boxes, so we can get the eggs. I wish he had the time to do it for you Ark. I am going to write you a PM on a different subject. I don't want to steal this thread.

I may try my hand at carpentry this year I guess. As long as I don't my hands on a loaded nail gun, all of you should be safe. I will look for free plans online and hope I can figure it out by October.

:eyebrow:

Guess you have never been to Amsterdam, Mr. Moneybags!

so I see an ad in the classified for a handyman. He says: "I prefer the smaller jobs."

So I email the guy, explain the job, and he replies: "Minimum estimate before I look at the job would not be less than $950.00
That is if you have all the materials and hardware.
Will you be using screws for the plastic corrugation?
Are you supplying all the nails and screws?

If my price is not acceptable, it is no need for me to come do an on-site estimate."

Since when did almost $1k constitute a small "handyman" job?

I obviously won't be scheduling him for an estimate. This work shouldn't cost more than $500 since we're providing all the materials.

Serious..... Might be do-able for a few bucks and a search on either free-cycle or Craigs list for a used trampoline frame.
I found it here on Pinterest, and there are more ideas/photos of coops for chickens. (http://pinterest.com/blessednjoyful/the-homestead-farmyard/)

You could check around for used/free pieces of rebar. Drill holes in 2x4 pieces at base of wire and pound rebar thru 2x4s to secure them to the ground to keep critters from getting in.
Just a thought....

What a great idea Kate! Thanks for Posting this. My Sister's Friend in North Carolina wants to have Chickens, and has been researching for many weeks. I will pass this along to her.

Serious..... Might be do-able for a few bucks and a search on either free-cycle or Craigs list for a used trampoline frame.
I found it here on Pinterest, and there are more ideas/photos of coops for chickens. (http://pinterest.com/blessednjoyful/the-homestead-farmyard/)

You could check around for used/free pieces of rebar. Drill holes in 2x4 pieces at base of wire and pound rebar thru 2x4s to secure them to the ground to keep critters from getting in.
Just a thought....

Looks like a great idea BUT ....

The predators can chew through poultry wire, so a trampoline skin would be just as easy - nope won't provide safety. I used plastic roofing over Pen #1 with poultry under the roof to save money, but I regret it now. Next pen will have metal roofing and eventually I'll upgrade Pen #1 to the same, hopefully before I lose a chicken.

Looks like a great idea BUT ....

The predators can chew through poultry wire, so a trampoline skin would be just as easy - nope won't provide safety. I used plastic roofing over Pen #1 with poultry under the roof to save money, but I regret it now. Next pen will have metal roofing and eventually I'll upgrade Pen #1 to the same, hopefully before I lose a chicken.

Oh...did not know that.
Guess the folks who made this didnt think of that.

Can you use 1x1 or 2x2 rat wire?
I buy it in huge rolls from the Amish.
Just a thought.