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ALMOST BEEKEEPING - RELATED TOPICS => FARMING & COUNTRY LIFE => Topic started by: BjornBee on November 29, 2010, 07:55:05 pm

Title: Missing chicken
Post by: BjornBee on November 29, 2010, 07:55:05 pm
Not sure if one of the chickens did not get back in the coop before the door was closed ever evening, or one of them got taken during the day when they are all all free ranging.

We have fox, raccoons, and hawks. We searched the property and found nothing. No feathers, blood, etc.

Based on not finding anything, what are the chances of it being one thing or another. I have heard of entire flocks being killed, and situations where one hen is gone every day.

The chickens are only out during daylight. They are closed up and protected in a shed at night with no possibility of predators.

Could one of the chickens be off brooding eggs somewhere? We do have outbuildings and plenty of hiding places. Can that happen at this time of the year being so cold?

Anyone got a guess or comments?

Thank you.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: hardwood on November 29, 2010, 08:02:24 pm
A fox will normally run off with the chicken but you should still see at least a few feathers where it killed the bird.
A hawk will kill it then flip it onto its back and eat the breast meat out before leaving it there for you to find.
A raccoon will normally run off with it as well but will normally stop at the nearest water source to clean it leaving a large pile of feathers.

I'd say if it's not brooding some place you have a fox. Foxes usually hit about every 2-3 days once they've found a banquet.

Scott
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: JP on November 29, 2010, 08:03:47 pm
Hate to be negative but it sounds like something may have taken it off or away. I could be wrong but this sounds like it could be a bird of prey thing.

Even down here my hens aren't laying as much, are yours laying at all? I wouldn't guess one being broody this time of year.

Sure you counted them more than twice?


...JP
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Kathyp on November 29, 2010, 08:04:05 pm
dang raccoons will come back every night, though.  there's usually more than one of them around.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: BjornBee on November 29, 2010, 08:09:05 pm
We are getting 7-10 eggs per day.

The chickens are locked down every night. So the missing chicken got taken during the day, or is off brooding.

Anything take chickens during the day?

And knowing we are getting 7-10 eggs a day, could this be a chicken off brooding?

Thank you for the comments.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: JP on November 29, 2010, 08:24:52 pm
How many chickens do you have?


...JP
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Robo on November 29, 2010, 08:46:05 pm
Hawks and foxes will hit during the day.  Foxes are usually more of a problem in the Spring when they have young to feed.  Foxes will also leave the least signs at times.

I had a mink get into the coop the other night and kill 4 guineas
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=177323172278252# (http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=177323172278252#)
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Michael Bush on November 29, 2010, 09:01:45 pm
In my experience, the foxes and coyotes run off with them.  The hawks often eat them where they are.  The skunks take a few bites and leave them alive... I'd lean towards foxes or coyotes.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: AllenF on November 29, 2010, 10:19:20 pm
My money is on coyotes or a dog.   Seen it too many times.   And now they know where food is, they will return. 
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: David McLeod on November 29, 2010, 10:29:22 pm
A few well placed 1.5 sized footholds ought to snag that fox and it's mate.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: hardwood on November 29, 2010, 11:00:32 pm
In my experience dog will kill all of the chickens and leave most just lying there.

Scott
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: JP on November 30, 2010, 11:06:38 am
I gave this much thought and have come to the conclusion that this is the culprit: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cryptomundo.com/wp-content/MessinWithSasquatch_3.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cryptomundo.com/bigfoot-report/messin-with-sas/&h=600&w=381&sz=60&tbnid=8uJJFEihdQGHVM:&tbnh=135&tbnw=86&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpicture%2Bof%2Bsasquatch&zoom=1&q=picture+of+sasquatch&usg=__UN2C7PPVc2thlAoeZ1wqo8-EMeA=&sa=X&ei=XhL1TNX8H8Gclge3sbGnBg&ved=0CB8Q9QEwAg (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cryptomundo.com/wp-content/MessinWithSasquatch_3.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cryptomundo.com/bigfoot-report/messin-with-sas/&h=600&w=381&sz=60&tbnid=8uJJFEihdQGHVM:&tbnh=135&tbnw=86&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpicture%2Bof%2Bsasquatch&zoom=1&q=picture+of+sasquatch&usg=__UN2C7PPVc2thlAoeZ1wqo8-EMeA=&sa=X&ei=XhL1TNX8H8Gclge3sbGnBg&ved=0CB8Q9QEwAg)


...JP
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: danno on November 30, 2010, 01:52:44 pm
over the years I have had many chickens killed by just about everything.   I had 75 birds killed one afternoon in a late season snow storm by 2 dogs.  Knew they were dogs because of tracks and a big pile of dog food puke in the hen house.  Hawks have gotten a few but even a big redtail will take a few days to finish one off.  They will be back very morning.  Weasels are the worst.  They just kill to kill.  They wont leave a single bird moving.  About a month ago one of my bird came up missing.   It was there at lunch but gone at dusk.   No sign of anything.   3 days went by and she was just written off as a mystery unsolved when I heard a strange noise in a corner of the tool shed.  Moving closer I heard it again by a old rolled up blue tarp.  I unrolled it and there she was. She had squeezed in but couldn't back out.  She ran for the water first, then food. Within a week she moulted completely and looked pathetic but now has a whole new set of feathers.  
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: winginit on November 30, 2010, 11:30:33 pm
When ours disappear without a trace during the day we think coyotes. Guess it could be a fox, though.

Kathy, you're not kidding about those dang raccoons. We had one that figured out how to get into the chicken coop. He killed one chicken a night for 2-3 nights before my BF finally wrapped a GIANT chain around the coop. It was a hoot, wish I had a picture. Now I wonder if there aren't good raccoons and evil ones. The good ones are happy with the compost pile.

One of my neighbors claims that possums will get chickens, too.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: winginit on November 30, 2010, 11:57:27 pm
Oh, and sorry about your missing chicken Bjorn. First one sucks (especially when you named her after your grandmother). Then it becomes a battle of the wills, man vs. beast, predator v. predator, homosapien v. sasquatch.

Cool video Robo.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: JP on December 01, 2010, 06:11:54 am
I know a young lady who lost 25 chickens to possums.


...JP
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: BjornBee on December 01, 2010, 08:01:46 am
I gave this much thought and have come to the conclusion that this is the culprit: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cryptomundo.com/wp-content/MessinWithSasquatch_3.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cryptomundo.com/bigfoot-report/messin-with-sas/&h=600&w=381&sz=60&tbnid=8uJJFEihdQGHVM:&tbnh=135&tbnw=86&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpicture%2Bof%2Bsasquatch&zoom=1&q=picture+of+sasquatch&usg=__UN2C7PPVc2thlAoeZ1wqo8-EMeA=&sa=X&ei=XhL1TNX8H8Gclge3sbGnBg&ved=0CB8Q9QEwAg (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cryptomundo.com/wp-content/MessinWithSasquatch_3.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cryptomundo.com/bigfoot-report/messin-with-sas/&h=600&w=381&sz=60&tbnid=8uJJFEihdQGHVM:&tbnh=135&tbnw=86&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpicture%2Bof%2Bsasquatch&zoom=1&q=picture+of+sasquatch&usg=__UN2C7PPVc2thlAoeZ1wqo8-EMeA=&sa=X&ei=XhL1TNX8H8Gclge3sbGnBg&ved=0CB8Q9QEwAg)

Yo Mama!   :lau:


...JP
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: BjornBee on December 01, 2010, 08:04:20 am
Thank you for all the suggestions. So far, the chicken has not come back. And we are on watch for when the next one goes.

JP,
At the moment, we have 13 hens and 2 roosters.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Robo on December 01, 2010, 09:28:18 am
Cool video Robo.

After the first night I found one dead in the pen.  Didn't really pay much attention to how it was positioned, but it wasn't torn to shreds, so I just assumed it died. Besides bear,  I have never had anything get into the pen,  and it surely wasn't a bear unless they have learned to open and close the door behind them.  Wouldn't have been the first time I had found one dead of what would seem to be natural causes, just figured it crawled into a corner to die.  After the 2nd night I found 3 more dead and this time it was quite obvious.  Two had been wedged head first under the coop and one wing first.  It was clear something was trying to cart them off.  Out came the traps and after the 3rd night I had the mink.....
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Bee Happy on December 02, 2010, 01:07:44 pm
I saw an osprey take a fish that was a little too big for it - not really a major problem if s/he had some time to rest and eat a little of it - the bald eagle accross the bay  had other plans - overpowered the osprey and took the fish back accross the bay (a "speckled trout" - for those of you who might be interested).
so what I'm getting at is it may be any of the above answers or predators. - if a predator thinks it may be harassed for its kill (even if it's still alive depending on urgency) if it can carry the kill it will flee with it.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: JP on December 02, 2010, 01:23:26 pm
I gave this much thought and have come to the conclusion that this is the culprit: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cryptomundo.com/wp-content/MessinWithSasquatch_3.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cryptomundo.com/bigfoot-report/messin-with-sas/&h=600&w=381&sz=60&tbnid=8uJJFEihdQGHVM:&tbnh=135&tbnw=86&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpicture%2Bof%2Bsasquatch&zoom=1&q=picture+of+sasquatch&usg=__UN2C7PPVc2thlAoeZ1wqo8-EMeA=&sa=X&ei=XhL1TNX8H8Gclge3sbGnBg&ved=0CB8Q9QEwAg (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cryptomundo.com/wp-content/MessinWithSasquatch_3.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cryptomundo.com/bigfoot-report/messin-with-sas/&h=600&w=381&sz=60&tbnid=8uJJFEihdQGHVM:&tbnh=135&tbnw=86&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpicture%2Bof%2Bsasquatch&zoom=1&q=picture+of+sasquatch&usg=__UN2C7PPVc2thlAoeZ1wqo8-EMeA=&sa=X&ei=XhL1TNX8H8Gclge3sbGnBg&ved=0CB8Q9QEwAg)

Yo Mama!   :lau:


...JP

Yeah, well my Mama and yours must be related! Now that's a scary thought.  :-*


...JP
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: annette on December 02, 2010, 09:53:18 pm
I gave this much thought and have come to the conclusion that this is the culprit: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cryptomundo.com/wp-content/MessinWithSasquatch_3.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cryptomundo.com/bigfoot-report/messin-with-sas/&h=600&w=381&sz=60&tbnid=8uJJFEihdQGHVM:&tbnh=135&tbnw=86&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpicture%2Bof%2Bsasquatch&zoom=1&q=picture+of+sasquatch&usg=__UN2C7PPVc2thlAoeZ1wqo8-EMeA=&sa=X&ei=XhL1TNX8H8Gclge3sbGnBg&ved=0CB8Q9QEwAg (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cryptomundo.com/wp-content/MessinWithSasquatch_3.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cryptomundo.com/bigfoot-report/messin-with-sas/&h=600&w=381&sz=60&tbnid=8uJJFEihdQGHVM:&tbnh=135&tbnw=86&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpicture%2Bof%2Bsasquatch&zoom=1&q=picture+of+sasquatch&usg=__UN2C7PPVc2thlAoeZ1wqo8-EMeA=&sa=X&ei=XhL1TNX8H8Gclge3sbGnBg&ved=0CB8Q9QEwAg)


...JP

OH you mean Schawee got them!! :shock: :shock: He turns to chickens when he can't get to his shakes!!
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Brian D. Bray on December 04, 2010, 02:40:20 am
A mink or weasel will trying to carry a chicken away and will drag it back the way it came in, so if you find a chicken lodged in the fence or under the building that is the place to set the trap for the next visit.
Rats are another problem to most poultry houses as they can get into seemly air tight buildings.  A rat like to eat a bird's head and neck, then the crop.  From there they will tunnel through the wishbone to the entrails which they will consume before devouring the rest of the bird.  One or two rats will eat the neck and head, maybe the crop. Three or four will eat the insides out of a chicken.  Half a dozen will consume the entire chicken and leave only the feathers.  Eight to ten will even eat the feathers.  Rats will act in a pack choosing a chicken, attacking it, and eating it together.  If a pacl of rats gets a taste for chicken they will eat 2-3 a week depending on the size of the pack.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: winginit on December 04, 2010, 03:26:01 pm
will act in a pack choosing a chicken, attacking it, and eating it together.  If a pacl of rats gets a taste for chicken they will eat 2-3 a week depending on the size of the pack.

Yikes, something new to worry about. Hadn't even considered that possibility. Luckily we don't have rats (that I know of). Yeah right.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Jerrymac on December 16, 2010, 03:17:13 pm
I have had a bunch of dead chickens lying around....... Dog or dogs.

Coyotes usually get a chicken a day or two days, but they will usually leave feathers behind.

I started having little chicks disappear, and some of the larger chicks. Turned out it was a cat. The neighbors noticed it before I did, as their cat was dragging up chickens. They got rid of the cat. Was kind enough to asked if they owed me anything.

OH! Here it is legal to shoot what ever it is that is getting your chickens.  :evil:
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: danno on December 16, 2010, 04:05:54 pm
Earlier in this thread I mentioned that dogs had killed 75 of my chickens one late season snow storm.   I didn't finish the story of that day.   I called the sheriff.   They came out and wrote a report.  I then called my township supervisor and he came over and took a statement and say the evidence that it was indeed dogs.   Our county has a dog Lic and registation program so If you can prove it was dogs that killed any stock and they are not caught the county will pay.  They bought me 75 new started layers.   
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: winginit on December 17, 2010, 08:32:38 am
Here in our county, a man just got $380 from the county commissioners as a reimbursement for 35 chickens that were killed by a fox. "Commissioner Bob Proud said according to Ohio law, if a wild animal kills livestock, the owner can petition the county commissioners for reimbursement."

We're incensed (incensed, I tell you). I wouldn't ask for reimbursement for my chickens that disappear. The county can't afford to reimburse everyone and it's our responsibility to protect our chickens. And when the predators win, well, they get a good meal and we get more careful. 

No word on what evidence was produced to show it was a fox.

Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: danno on December 17, 2010, 09:06:11 am
Here in our county, a man just got $380 from the county commissioners as a reimbursement for 35 chickens that were killed by a fox. "Commissioner Bob Proud said according to Ohio law, if a wild animal kills livestock, the owner can petition the county commissioners for reimbursement."

We're incensed (incensed, I tell you). I wouldn't ask for reimbursement for my chickens that disappear. The county can't afford to reimburse everyone and it's our responsibility to protect our chickens. And when the predators win, well, they get a good meal and we get more careful. 

No word on what evidence was produced to show it was a fox.


If I was a commissioner this would be in question.   A fox would chase, catch, kill and leave with one chicken.   It would take over a month for a single fox to kill, drag away and eat 35 chickens.   Dog on the other hand dont eat them so after biting and shaking, thye drop the bird and chase another.   They wont quit until the fun stops.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: winginit on December 18, 2010, 04:20:10 pm

[/quote]
If I was a commissioner this would be in question.   a fox would chase, catch, kill and leave with one chicken.   It would take over a month for a single fox to kill, drag away and eat 35 chickens.   Dog on the other hand dont eat them so after biting and shaking, thye drop the bird and chase another.   They wont quit until the fun stops.
[/quote]

I wish you were a commissioner! I might have to bring this up with them.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: BjornBee on December 18, 2010, 08:41:26 pm
Well we have not lost another chicken.

We did notice a dog on the property however. Where it came from, I have no clue. It ran off when it saw someone.

At this point, I'm glad we only lost one.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Acebird on December 19, 2010, 03:40:08 pm
Quote
OH! Here it is legal to shoot what ever it is that is getting your chickens. 


I think not.  Federally protected species are still protected.

We lost one EE recently (within a month) with no evidence.  It happens.  The coop door is key.  It has to be closed and locked at night.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: winginit on December 19, 2010, 10:09:14 pm
Ground is snow covered here, and thus I've discovered that we have a regulary visitor, likely coyote (suppose it could be a dog but I doubt it). Seems to like the compost pile (go figure) but is all over the property, checking out the hives too. No wonder the cats are so skittish. Nothing like a good snowfall to track the wildlife.

Need a puppy for Christmas.

Bjorn, so glad you aren't losing any more chickens!
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: iddee on December 19, 2010, 10:44:50 pm
Acebird, a simple request for a livestock protection permit allows killing of protected predators other than the bald eagle. Hawk and bear permits are easily gotten here.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Acebird on December 20, 2010, 09:30:17 am
We live within the city limits.  It's pretty restrictive what you can do around here.  We once got turned in (suspicious behavior) because someone saw us burying dog poop in our woods.  By the time you file permits and deal with government officials your live stock will be dead.  Then you will need more permits to bury them.

Best plan is to make sure your coop is structurally sound, get your birds in at night (they will go automatically) then close and lock the door.  Wild animals are no different than anything else on earth.  They look for opportunity.  If you make it hard to get at your birds they will move on to a better opportunity.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: iddee on December 20, 2010, 09:42:31 am
Location...Location...Location....

Here I have had the law ask me to shoot crippled, dieing animals in the city limits since they had to file too many reports if they fired their weapon.

Some officials down here still have a bit of good ol" common sense.

Up there, I think the saying is... Fences make good neighbors.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: skatesailor on December 27, 2010, 04:41:40 pm
I plowed the driveway and noticed some tracks from the road came in about 10 ft and turned around. Plowed the barnyard and was finishing up the dooryard when my son spottted a fox at the top of the driveway. I chased it three times with the plow only to have it return and start out to the barn. By the time we got to the barn it was in the stalls looking. Luckily my grandson had locked the chickens away. He will not be returning.  :evil:
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: BjornBee on January 01, 2011, 09:45:00 pm
After not losing a chicken for a couple weeks, lost two in the past 48 hours. Tomorrow, I'll be putting on the top net to the chicken run and access will be limited until we get something in the traps.

This time we found a pile of feathers in the next field over. Nothing but feathers, but something had a good time.

Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: hardwood on January 01, 2011, 09:53:57 pm
Pile of feathers...that sounds like a coon.

Scott
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: BjornBee on January 01, 2011, 10:01:27 pm
I got a perfect farm for them......and it's not mine.  :-D
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: AllenF on January 01, 2011, 10:03:55 pm
Hawk will just leave feathers also.   Set some traps out and be loaded for bear.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: oliver on January 02, 2011, 08:12:28 am
In this area 20 yrs ago fox would be the first suspect, coyotes dominate now. I have lost turkeys and chickens both, they will take them in broad daylight..
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: winginit on January 02, 2011, 10:58:34 am
Our chickens are acting really weird. It warmed up for a few days and we (and by "we" I mean my bf) cleaned out the coop. Now 2-3 chickens aren't going into the coop at night. We have to put them in. Three were roosting right next to the door last night and the temperature was dropping. Two of the three seem to be those lower in the pecking order.

This morning, it's 25 degrees out, usually cold enough for the chickens to stay in. We upen up a small door to give them the choice. And one came out and paraded right in front of our sliding glass door. Hmmmm.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Acebird on January 02, 2011, 12:51:19 pm
(http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/vv333/acebird1/Pop%20Door/Picture893.jpg)

Chickens have no problem with 25 degrees as long as they can get out of the wind.  Build a simple sun room from old thrown out windows and a tin roof.  Throw some hay on the ground and they are real happy.  This will keep your coop cleaning down to a minimum.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: VolunteerK9 on January 02, 2011, 12:59:32 pm
I would go easy on the hay. After usage, it clumps up and molds underneath making it a nightmare to clean out. I use wood shaving/saw dust from my shop and now I have people that brings me their shredded paper that I mix in with the wood shavings. Works great and is easy to clean out. Just shovel it up, throw it in my spreader and hit the field. Green streaks everywhere come spring!
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Acebird on January 02, 2011, 01:17:29 pm
That's funny.  Our chickens eat the seeds and scratch it up so there is nothing left.  We just added  more.  I suppose one of these days we will have to clean it.  Maybe next year.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Rosalind on January 02, 2011, 04:37:49 pm
After not losing a chicken for a couple weeks, lost two in the past 48 hours. Tomorrow, I'll be putting on the top net to the chicken run and access will be limited until we get something in the traps.

This time we found a pile of feathers in the next field over. Nothing but feathers, but something had a good time.



I've never lost any to raccoons or opossums, although I have caught some chubby opossums in the barn stealing eggs. Have lost a few to fishers--which do indeed kill everything they can reach and leave the bodies.

My vote is for raptor. Have seen hawks grab a chicken and fly off with it, especially if you have a dog. The hawk learns pretty quickly that if it hangs around to eat, the dog will be on top of it, so it grabs its meal and flaps away. We've also had owls go after the smaller banties.

If you don't have a farm dog, I would suggest getting one. Our Great Pyrenees is pretty much the only reason we still have chickens when all the neighbors' poultry have been et by coyotes, foxes, and free-range Labrador Retrievers.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: AllenF on January 02, 2011, 06:02:27 pm
We all know what happened.              (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-alien011.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Acebird on January 02, 2011, 07:05:09 pm
Quote
Have seen hawks grab a chicken and fly off with it,

I suppose it is possible but a full grown chicken is a little heavy for a hawk.  Usually they will just take pieces and come back if it is still there.
I don't know the breed you are speaking of but the highest death rate for free range chickens is the family dog.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: hardwood on January 02, 2011, 08:46:01 pm
Dogs have killed all of our chickens twice this year (oops, last year) and we are now chicken-less until spring...GRRRR.

Allen, I was walking home late one night when I was knocked unconscious by a large, disc-shaped object and...yes, probed!




The next day I realized I had staggered into my neighbors satellite dish! :-D

Scott
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: VolunteerK9 on January 02, 2011, 09:02:17 pm
Dogs have killed all of our chickens twice this year (oops, last year) and we are now chicken-less until spring...GRRRR.

Allen, I was walking home late one night when I was knocked unconscious by a large, disc-shaped object and...yes, probed!




The next day I realized I had staggered into my neighbors satellite dish! :-D

Scott

Well my question would have to be....what did the probing? Neighbors dog?  :lau:
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: BjornBee on January 02, 2011, 09:14:25 pm
Spent half the day reinforcing the chicken run that was not really used up till this time. We were just free ranging them and closing them up every night in the coop. I netted the top of the fence with a large mesh. So if it is a hawk, it will not get through. I think we will leave them inside the enclosure for a few days. It it about 12 x 40.

The sides of the fence are reinforced 2 inch hard wire. It will take a good amount to get through the fence.

Nothing caught last night in the traps.  :'(




Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: winginit on January 02, 2011, 11:33:31 pm
One day I was home sick from work and a hawk got a chicken that was out free-ranging. I was so proud of myself for getting my butt up and removing the dead chicken so Mark didn't have to deal with it when he got home.

Well, the hawk wasn't happy. Next thing you know, he's gone into the coop after another chicken. The cat has gone in after him and the chickens are scurrying everywhere. Got the hawk out but he'd already killed another chicken.

And Mark's comment was--"You had a hawk in the coop and you let him go?!!"

It was a Sharp Shinned, a relatively small hawk. Sucker came back and sat on a branch watching me. He wanted his chicken. I almost shot him (if not for the community pool in the line of fire, he'd be one dead hawk.)
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: BjornBee on January 03, 2011, 09:54:41 am
Ok....one less cat that will come around the trap again.

No...I let it go. It was ours. Just hope he learns to stay out of the trap.  :-D

Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Acebird on January 03, 2011, 10:00:38 am
Be careful about admitting killing birds of prey many are still protected and carry a healthy fine if caught.

You might want to throw out some corn.  It can be the cheapest GMO stuff available.  That will attract some crows and the crows will run off the hawks.  If you keep feeding the crows they will stick around.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: VolunteerK9 on January 03, 2011, 11:46:37 am
Ok....one less cat that will come around the trap again.

No...I let it go. It was ours. Just hope he learns to stay out of the trap.  :-D



That made me laugh..If I suspect raccoons I bait the live traps with doughnuts or honeybuns. Works like a charm without attracting skunks and possums providing they arent the problem.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Brian D. Bray on January 03, 2011, 11:57:00 pm
One day I was home sick from work and a hawk got a chicken that was out free-ranging. I was so proud of myself for getting my butt up and removing the dead chicken so Mark didn't have to deal with it when he got home.

Well, the hawk wasn't happy. Next thing you know, he's gone into the coop after another chicken. The cat has gone in after him and the chickens are scurrying everywhere. Got the hawk out but he'd already killed another chicken.

And Mark's comment was--"You had a hawk in the coop and you let him go?!!"

It was a Sharp Shinned, a relatively small hawk. Sucker came back and sat on a branch watching me. He wanted his chicken. I almost shot him (if not for the community pool in the line of fire, he'd be one dead hawk.)

I've had sharp-shin and cooper's hawks both follow the pigeons right into the loft on 3 different occasions.  If you know someone interested in falconry they would love to have the hawk and already have the permits to  keep it.  Both, though about the same size as a pigeon will take them in the air, on occasion, all you see is a large cloud of feathers and then the hawk is flying off with the pigeon.
A mated pair can decimate a flock of pigeons or chickens if their runs aren't covered.  I have hawks bounce off the netting over both the pigeons fly pen and the chicken run all the time.  Kind of funny to watch a hawk do artwheels after bouncing off the netting, just like a trampoline.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Irwin on January 04, 2011, 12:28:04 pm
Dogs have killed all of our chickens twice this year (oops, last year) and we are now chicken-less until spring...GRRRR.

Allen, I was walking home late one night when I was knocked unconscious by a large, disc-shaped object and...yes, probed!




The next day I realized I had staggered into my neighbors satellite dish! :-D

Scott

Well my question would have to be....what did the probing? Neighbors dog?  :lau:
That was good.  :jawdrop: :lau: :lau: :lau:
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Rosalind on January 04, 2011, 08:31:43 pm

I suppose it is possible but a full grown chicken is a little heavy for a hawk.  Usually they will just take pieces and come back if it is still there.
Depends on size of chicken vs. size of hawk. We have redtails in our neighborhood that will take off with bantams & Japanese, no problem.  Ask me how I know...  :'(

Quote
I don't know the breed you are speaking of but the highest death rate for free range chickens is the family dog.

Some breeds are specifically bred to be livestock guardians, and are very gentle with all livestock (including poultry) with some training. The training part is mostly teaching them to stay calm when the chickens approach them, not to be too playful, building on their innate territorial behavior. Great Pyrenees are popular, but other LGDs include Kuvasz, Akbash, Komondors, Anatolians, Maremmas. Sometimes herding type dogs can also be trained to work as LGDs, or vice versa--my Pyr will happily herd the neighbor's cattle. And dogs with little prey drive (many giant breeds) are usually fine once they get past the playful puppy stage. However, most terriers, retrievers, sight hounds or coon-type dogs will happily kill poultry when left to their own devices. Since lots of families have retrievers or terriers of some sort, yeah, the family dog can be problematic.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Acebird on January 04, 2011, 08:55:46 pm
Quote
Some breeds are specifically bred to be livestock guardians, and are very gentle with all livestock (including poultry) with some training.

If it is a trained dog with a harness (like for instance a seeing eye dog) it will mind its buisiness.  Once that harness is off all bets are off.  Dogs are pack animals and chickens are at the bottom of the food chain.  You can't train that instinct out of dog.  If something goes after the chicken your livestock dog could join right in.  And they don't stop.  You can loose the whole flock.

We have a lot of red tails here, all the time.  They will kill a full grown chicken but it is unlikely that they will try to fly with it.  We don't have any netting.  The area is way too big but we have a lot of trees and bushes.  Hawks don't like that.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: BjornBee on January 04, 2011, 10:13:18 pm
Thank you Rosalind.

I see it didn't take long for you to float down here for some chicken chat.   ;)

A dog at this point is out of the question. It was discussed. But maybe later.

If it is a hawk of some sort, it's taking some bigger chickens. We have Buff Orpingtons and they are a good size.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Rosalind on January 05, 2011, 07:49:52 pm


If it is a trained dog with a harness (like for instance a seeing eye dog) it will mind its buisiness.  Once that harness is off all bets are off.  Dogs are pack animals and chickens are at the bottom of the food chain.  You can't train that instinct out of dog.  If something goes after the chicken your livestock dog could join right in.  And they don't stop.  You can loose the whole flock.
:lau: I can see why folks get frustrated with you, Acebird. Bless you.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: iddee on January 05, 2011, 08:23:33 pm
It looks like he knows less about dogs then he does about bees.
I have broken many dogs from killing chickens.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: AllenF on January 05, 2011, 08:25:52 pm
(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-fc/beam.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: winginit on January 05, 2011, 08:54:56 pm
It looks like he knows less about dogs then he does about bees.
I have broken many dogs from killing chickens.

Oooh, just what I'm looking for. We just got a new puppy and need advice on how to train him. So far, we've had to train the chickens not to run from him (fleeing chickens are just way too fun for a puppy). We keep him on a tight leash and let him watch, make sure he can't even jump forward 1 foot, as that makes the chickens run. What next?
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: iddee on January 05, 2011, 09:44:54 pm
I grew up in a country atmosphere many years ago. I doubt you would want to hear our methods. It would land you in jail today.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Bee Happy on January 05, 2011, 10:22:11 pm
I put an electric fence around the chicken pen after the neighbor's dog trashed about 7 pullets. (our dogs were in a separate pen) When our dogs got to run, they went right for the chicken coop - one zap to get their attention, and a second zap to confirm it really happened - the dogs never went near the new chickens again by association - we even eventually let the chickens "free range"
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: hardwood on January 05, 2011, 10:41:05 pm
A good rooster will put a puppy in its place right quick.

Scott
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: VolunteerK9 on January 06, 2011, 12:12:35 am
I grew up in a country atmosphere many years ago. I doubt you would want to hear our methods. It would land you in jail today.

A necklace of sorts Iddee?
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: iddee on January 06, 2011, 09:30:16 am
Yes, K9, that's one of them.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: ziffabeek on January 06, 2011, 10:05:01 am
:lau: . . . Bless you.

Down here Rosalind, that would be "Bless your heart!"

 :evil:

love,
ziffa
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Acebird on January 06, 2011, 10:12:57 am
It looks like he knows less about dogs then he does about bees.
I have broken many dogs from killing chickens.

Oooh, just what I'm looking for. We just got a new puppy and need advice on how to train him. So far, we've had to train the chickens not to run from him (fleeing chickens are just way too fun for a puppy). We keep him on a tight leash and let him watch, make sure he can't even jump forward 1 foot, as that makes the chickens run. What next?

Dog trainers tend to thump their chest saying "I can do this or I can do that."  The question is can YOU.  If the dog gets inside the electric fence the chickens are done.  If the chicken gets outside the electric fence the chicken is gone.  Never let your guard down with a dog, any dog.  It is just a warning.  You can obviously do as you please.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Bee Happy on January 06, 2011, 10:37:42 am
It looks like he knows less about dogs then he does about bees.
I have broken many dogs from killing chickens.

Oooh, just what I'm looking for. We just got a new puppy and need advice on how to train him. So far, we've had to train the chickens not to run from him (fleeing chickens are just way too fun for a puppy). We keep him on a tight leash and let him watch, make sure he can't even jump forward 1 foot, as that makes the chickens run. What next?

Dog trainers tend to thump their chest saying "I can do this or I can do that."  The question is can YOU.  If the dog gets inside the electric fence the chickens are done.  If the chicken gets outside the electric fence the chicken is gone.  Never let your guard down with a dog, any dog.  It is just a warning.  You can obviously do as you please.

It's a matter of conditioning. Two shocks is enough to quell any drive less powerful than survival instinct ( = 0 )  Electricity doesn't have a "warning mode"  Also - I had results - the dogs wouldn't touch the chickens after hitting the fence twice.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: iddee on January 06, 2011, 10:59:11 am
I grew up with a hundred plus chickens free ranging and from 5 to 25 fox hounds free ranging. Never had a problem. We did have a few killings until we would break an individual dog, but overall, it was just obstacles, not problems. No, I'm not a dog trainer. Just a country redneck that gets the job done.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: AllenF on January 06, 2011, 11:31:19 am
But today people just don't approve of the ways we use to break a dog...........
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Irwin on January 06, 2011, 11:35:38 am
Your starting again Acebird Beleave it are not you don't know every thing ! When I was a kid if a dog killed a chicken it met it's maker. I learned at an early age how to break a dog from chasing chicken's with a little time and effort it can be done.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: BjornBee on January 06, 2011, 11:43:02 am
If I read this correctly...you got iddee, a dog, a chicken, and a necklace.

I honestly need to stop at this point.

But I understand the jail time if anyone finds out.....   :-D
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: BjornBee on January 06, 2011, 11:45:21 am
You always start any dog training with two dogs.

Training is short and to the point.

When the first dog pees on the rug, you take out your gun and shoot it in the head.

Then you ask the second dog if it understands.......  :-D
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: VolunteerK9 on January 06, 2011, 11:58:08 am
You always start any dog training with two dogs.

Training is short and to the point.

When the first dog pees on the rug, you take out your gun and shoot it in the head.

Then you ask the second dog if it understands.......  :-D

LMAO.

That made me snicker.

With the missing chicken post going on 4 pages, I think its time we put her poor little face on a milk carton and offer a reward.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Rosalind on January 06, 2011, 08:30:06 pm

Oooh, just what I'm looking for. We just got a new puppy and need advice on how to train him. So far, we've had to train the chickens not to run from him (fleeing chickens are just way too fun for a puppy). We keep him on a tight leash and let him watch, make sure he can't even jump forward 1 foot, as that makes the chickens run. What next?

Well, there are two schools of thought. Let's call them the Time-Honored Method and the New School Style.

Time-Honored Method is to get yourself some chickens you don't care much about losing--extra roosters, sort of thing. Big, mean roosters, small puppy. Then you put the puppy in with the roosters all night and most of the day, and he will learn via the School of Hard Knocks that he needs to make nice with the roosters, the roosters are his Pack, and eventually he will guard the roosters by bonding with them, instead of with the humans. Many people swear this works, and I am sure it works fine for them.

We live in a fairly residential area; bits of our farm were sold off into suburbs ages ago, we can't afford an unsocialized dog, so we did the New School Style.

1. Make sure dog has basic obedience sorta-kinda down 95% of the time. It doesn't have to be AKC Good Citizen, but it needs to know No, Come, Sit, Down, Stay off-leash even with distractions. You can teach this as early as possible. Ensure that the whole family is being very consistent on this, the dog needs to know that nobody, NOBODY will let it get away with anything.

2. Clip a 6' leash to the dog's collar, clip the other end to your belt loop, and take dog with you daily when doing chicken chores. If the dog even looks at a chicken like it's thinking about hot wings, correct it however you normally do that. For my two dogs, a yank of the leash was sufficient most of the time, and a Cesar Millan type shoulder-poke was enough all the time. Yes, the first two weeks of filling up feeders and waterers are awkward. When shoveling poop, I just clipped them to a hitching post in the barn. Eventually, the dog will get used to the routine and Heel. How long that takes, depends on how smart your dog is: our Pyrenees was super-smart and figured it out right quick, but the Newfie was pretty thick and took months to learn.

3. Bring the dog into the coop and have it lay down calmly for a minute or two, on-leash. The chickens will slowly come up to investigate their new furry pal, and this may agitate the dog. Correct it and make it stay. Sprinkle a little scratch around the dog to encourage the chickens to come right up. Do this at least daily, then when it seems to be going well, try it off-leash, for longer and longer periods of time. Don't worry much about previous canine behaviors, chickens have short memories.

4. Put the dog in a pen with some extra roosters or mean hens. Supervise closely for a while. Gradually work up to longer time periods, less supervision. The dog, if it is still puppyish, may try to play with the chickens as if they were smaller dogs, and make sure you correct that right away. If the roosters spur the dog, or the hen attacks, make sure the dog knows the appropriate response is to back away. If it's not backing away, get in there, grab its collar, and make it back off. Eventually, you will be able to leave the dog alone for many hours, unsupervised.

They may still make mistakes; our Newfie still tries to play with chickens once in a while, she is still puppyish (2 1/2 years old). Just keep correcting, re-directing to the appropriate behavior by telling them, Sit! Down! Stay! The Pyr seemed to finally get past his playful behaviors when he tried to play with a standard-sized broody hen, and she sliced his nose open. Mostly you want to get it into their heads that this is also their pack, and build on their notion of Territory--our dogs see the barn as their Territory, and know that Birds are supposed to be in the Barn. To the point that they frequently try to herd wild turkeys, pigeons and crows into the barn when given half a chance, but that's a different issue...  :catchchick:

One more thing--try not to build too much on predator-type behaviors. Chasing toys, games that challenge their sight-type skills (throwing a small ball all the way across the yard to fetch), play-biting, all are bad news. I see lots of people allow play-biting in puppies, and then the dog grows up and they have no end of trouble with kids, neighbors and vets getting bit.

Good luck!
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: winginit on January 06, 2011, 09:33:03 pm
Thank you Rosalind, I appreciate the time you took to write that up. Not sure I can do the daily chores thing, especially as it's not my chore, but I do try to take him to wherever the chickens are everytime we go outside, which is often. He's only 11 weeks old so we have lots of work to do on basic obedience and not biting...ah the joy of puppydom.

Oh and we need a rooster!

Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Irwin on January 18, 2011, 05:58:36 pm
a good rooster will put a puppy in its place right quick.

Scott
Just what Scott said.  Ali-Frazier (dog vs rooster) Part IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8uD_deaLWk#)
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Acebird on February 13, 2011, 07:59:14 pm
Quote
you will be able to leave the dog alone for many hours, unsupervised.


As long as you continue this live long training you can somewhat trust the dog but if you get lax the dog will resort to its instincts which is to attack a running chicken.  It could even be spurred on by another animal starting the chase.  Very few people are good dog trainers because it takes commitment and endless time.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Irwin on February 15, 2011, 08:58:30 am
Quote
you will be able to leave the dog alone for many hours, unsupervised.


As long as you continue this live long training you can somewhat trust the dog but if you get lax the dog will resort to its instincts which is to attack a running chicken.  It could even be spurred on by another animal starting the chase.  Very few people are good dog trainers because it takes commitment and endless time.
You must not know how to train a dog. :-P
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: oliver on February 15, 2011, 09:21:16 am
Dogs and chickens together for years, never had a problem, cats, another story they will take a baby chick and are untrainable..
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Acebird on February 15, 2011, 12:46:49 pm
(http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/vv333/acebird1/GoodGirl0004.jpg)

This is a dog I call mine but she is owned by Freedom Guide Dogs, a dedicated kennel for raising Seeing Eye dogs.  Although I don’t train dogs I know what to expect from them.  You train a dog to its owner and when the owner is not present it is just another dog.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Irwin on February 15, 2011, 04:52:51 pm
I've trained dog's to track bear - cougar and coon's and trained them not to eat chicken's. And you said it. You have not ! Oh maybe you read a book so you know it all. And knowing how you want a dog to act is a whole different thing. You can't want a dog to not chase a chicken you have to train him or her not to.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Acebird on February 15, 2011, 05:31:03 pm
Quote
When I was a kid if a dog killed a chicken it met it's maker.

This is what you call training?
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Bee Happy on February 15, 2011, 06:25:22 pm
Quote
When I was a kid if a dog killed a chicken it met it's maker.

This is what you call training?

forced evolution may be a better term.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: LaviniaGillian2 on February 16, 2011, 04:07:36 am
Oh it is really sad to lose an animal like that..Although it is really disheartening to state this yet it needs to be added that the little mute animal must have been taken away by someone or something.Try your best to get it back..
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: Irwin on February 16, 2011, 11:59:12 am
Quote
When I was a kid if a dog killed a chicken it met it's maker.

This is what you call training?
You would be surprised how fast the other dog's learned not to mess with the chicken's. And that was with older dog's it's allot easier when you get a pup.
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: McGoo on May 19, 2011, 09:33:54 pm
This is the time of year for broody hens (i've got 4), so there is certainly a chance that she is setting on eggs.  I hope so.
Hawks, foxes, minks all leave a sign...I've been raising chickens for about 5 yrs and only once did I have an unexplained disappearance.  I chalked it up to an owl since she was taken in early evening right before bedtime. 
All the best.
Colleen
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: hardwood on May 20, 2011, 12:44:35 am
Aliens...you need to make them all little tin foil hats............just sayin'

Scott
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: VolunteerK9 on May 20, 2011, 12:54:11 pm
Aliens...you need to make them all little tin foil hats............just sayin'

Scott

The hats arent much of a problem for me to make...its trying to get those friggin chin straps to stay on that gets me
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: AllenF on May 21, 2011, 10:17:11 pm
 :lau:
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: don2 on May 21, 2011, 11:34:23 pm
So much for dog training. If you have "Golden" Eagles in your area, Keep an eye on any thing small you let out side. Small Kids, Pets, small goats, etc. You know if they can fly off with a young deer???????????
Be Ware. Bald Eagles are not so bad. Hope you find the culprit before it does more damage. :roll: :shock: :shock: don2/aka/ doak
Title: Re: Missing chicken
Post by: AllenF on May 22, 2011, 02:48:51 pm
My hens have been out for about 2 months straight now.   I like not having to buy feed for them.  But my dog is out in the back yard with them.   Her pen is side by side with the chicken pen so she grew up with the chickens and this morning before church all the chickens were in there with her.   I think a dog is good to help protect chickens.