I think I've lost all my chickens....
- Thread starter Gazrok
- Start date
Help Support Doomsday Prepper Forums:
Danil54grl
Top Poster
I don't know about ducks being able to fend for themselves better than chickens. . . . And neither can defend themselves against a preditor. I have geese and they can be mean as heck but have lost a couple that decided to escape their yard area. I haven't eaten duck eggs so can't help you there. Geese can lay every other day, but the key for them to lay is they have to feel safe and comfortable in their enviroment. If they are stressed they won't lay. And dad is the one who sits on the eggs to hatch.
Kevin L
A True Doomsday Prepper
Yeah, you need a pond or canal for a lot of ducks.
Some breeds of domestic ducks lay lots of eggs, and I like duck eggs. They are slightly larger than chicken eggs, and the shells are much thicker. It actually takes a few tries and some force to break them if you're cooking them in a skillet.
You can use them interchangably like chicken eggs in your cooking. The taste is slightly different, but the vast majority of the time most people can't tell the difference.
The problem with ducks is that they're very easy to get emotionally attached to.
They are affectionate, intelligent, sociable, cuddly, loving animals that like attention, and are sensitive to your moods.
A good way to supplement their feed is to hang a light out in their pen at night, and they'll eat all the moths and insects that come swarming around.
I've waiting 2 weeks and no improvement. Today I'm going to put the chicken down. I'm thinking a .22 to the head would be easier for me. My neighbor usually does the deed for me, but it's time to put on my big girl pants.
Kevin L
A True Doomsday Prepper
I'm sorry that it's come to that.
Thank you. I still haven't done the deed. Can't get the nerve.
My neighbor that usually does it, is training flight cadets this weekend so I don't want to bother him.
I've killed raccoons, possums, snakes etc, but not one of my ladies. I'm a wimp.
Kevin L
A True Doomsday Prepper
No, you're compassionate.
I tend to bond with animals, and it's very hard for me when one dies.
Well, i did it. Didn't realize the rooster woyld be so pissed though.
I guess that means he's growing into the job.
The hens are all in the coops yelling at me. I'm not their favorite person right now.
I guess that means he's growing into the job.
The hens are all in the coops yelling at me. I'm not their favorite person right now.
Kevin L
A True Doomsday Prepper
I'm sorry.
Thank you Kevin
Arcticdude
Top Poster
Sorry to hear about that Robin. But that's one of the responsibility's that go along with owning livestock. At least now you get to eat some fresh chicken.
The wife comes home on Monday and she's going to have to make a decision on her crippled hen. The only difference is that I'll be the one doing the deed.
This one was over 5 years old so I just disposed of her
Every type of predator or scavenger eats chickens. A constant varmit control system is about all that works . I set traps on any trail coming towards My chicken yard , and We have 3 dogs that alert when something stirrs up the chickens . And live traps close to the chicken house . I have to keep any steel traps away from the yard and use live traps baited with a whole egg because My Wife feeds cats outside and would be pissed if I hurt one . These are descendants of where Neighbors have passed away and Others have moved and left Their cats . They are near wild . But come up to eat and will hang out while We are working outside if We dont get to close . They are several Genarations without owners and act like wild cats but We never see rodents around Our chicken feed .
Last year I caught a Racoon after he killed 3 and I also caught a possum. I have 2 trap cages
Gazrok
A True Doomsday Prepper
Well, I do see Raccoons out there. Just never figured they'd attack chickens. I still think it's a bobcat though. Sorry you had to put one of yours down. Wife won't let me kill and butcher the last one. She's like that. If it was like a post SHTF thing, she'd be OK with it, but otherwise....
We're getting a bunch of new ones next week, and keeping them in the coop vs. free-ranging. Still has to be separate from the last hen (as she'll kill them no doubt).
We're getting a bunch of new ones next week, and keeping them in the coop vs. free-ranging. Still has to be separate from the last hen (as she'll kill them no doubt).
gazrok. The raccoons can get into a hole so small the only part of the chicken they can get out is the head. I had to put wire over every small crack I had. I was amazed.
Iv had racoons rip 2×4 welded wire open and kill every bird in the pen . Just eating the neck and moving to the next one .
I didn't have any qualms about killing the racoon. Vicious little critter
Gazrok
A True Doomsday Prepper
We have half inch grid wire on the coop. Not even a snake is getting in there. We originally wanted to free range the older birds, to use the coop for some new chicks....Since I need to do a repair to the door anyhow, seemed a good a time as any to try it out. But, obviously, just too many predators in our area for it. I guess that's why I don't see any of my neighbors doing it anymore (they used to).
So now, just fixing the door, and going with new chicks in the coop. I guess the lone survivor is fine in that unused stall for now.
So now, just fixing the door, and going with new chicks in the coop. I guess the lone survivor is fine in that unused stall for now.
The racoon came into my locked coop. I have chicken wire and 2 layers of deer netting. He just happened to find a VERY small hole in fence and came into the coop where the tin roof has a ridge. Had to wire all of the spaces. I don't see predators during the day because of dogs. I got the roosters to help in case of a critter attack.
