Poultry

[QuietH3art]

We're down to only 6 laying hens at this time. We started out with 14 that we let free range, but over the last 2 years the predators killed one every of months. Now we only let them out of their enclosed run when we're outside too. When we get moved (our finial move) out to our BOL I'll build a large coop that will have meat chickens on one side and laying hens on the other. The run will be about 50' x 100' with netting over the top to keep the flying predators out.

Dude, why don't you just get dual purpose birds instead of separate meat and laying hens. Pioneer chickens were originally intended as meat birds, but mine lays 6 large eggs a week with an occasional double yolk egg. And she's a big girl, too. She also brooded and sat one clutch and was a fine mama. Standard Cochins are another good dual purpose bird. One large coop, eggs and meat all in one.

 

[Psalm7]

Had a hen come off the nest today with 6 biddies . Summer chicks dont do well but weather is mild right now so every day gives yhem a better chance .

 

[Psalm7]

Recently during midday I heard the chickens all upset and went to check on them . I started to take a rifle but thought they just saw a hawk in a tree across the field and didnt . Walked to the chicken house and within 10 ft was a fullgrown coyote standing in the gateway to a fence around my chicken house . He couldn't get to the chickens and had a cat tree,d . It looked at me and trotted away . I could have dropped in with a .22 pistol . I was working in the yard and didnt take time to arm myself before checking on the birds . I know better and did it anyway thats how mistakes are made such lessons can be aplied tp anu situation.

 

[Danil54grl]

Yep, gotta be careful going out to the henhouse. We had a bobcat inside one day. Lucky it hadn't gotten any of the chickens yet. It was an adolescent so caught in a humane trap and took him down the road about 20 miles. I could have sworn I saw mom or maybe it was dad walking on the edge of the woods back behind our property area days after that. We like to eat chicken & so do other predictors. With their clucking all day just attacks. You just never know what may happen to drop by while you're out and about.

 

[Psalm7]

Just walked outside and heard the chickens upset . This time I was carrying and did a tactical approach that Rambo would be proud of . But nothing there, I had just fed our outside cats and they were nowhere around . I looked across a field and around 150 yards there was a huge Coyote . It looked like a Red Wolf . Went back inside and got a rifle but He had made the treeline before I got back out . Im sure He got something either a chicken or cat . I won't miss a cat but My Wife will .

 

[DrHenley]

Could be a coywolf. I killed a coyote a number of years ago that had a luxurious thick coat with white in it.

They say the red wolf has 60% coyote ancestry and 40% gray wolf ancestry.

 

[Psalm7]

Could be a coywolf. I killed a coyote a number of years ago that had a luxurious thick coat with white in it.

They say the red wolf has 60% coyote ancestry and 40% gray wolf ancestry.

I read a study once about how coyotes move into a new area . Singles move in and breed with local k9's wolf or dogs . Then more coyotes move in and join the group increasing the Coyote blood . Dna samples show coyotes across the Country have red wolf timber wolf and dog dna .
The ones We have here in Tn came from Canada from the North and plain States from across the Mississippi . The ones that stalked and killed the jogger in Canada were heavy in red wolf . Interesting story there .

 

[tmttactical]

I read a study once about how coyotes move into a new area . Singles move in and breed with local k9's wolf or dogs . Then more coyotes move in and join the group increasing the Coyote blood . Dna samples show coyotes across the Country have red wolf timber wolf and dog dna .
The ones We have here in Tn came from Canada from yhe North and plain States from across the Mississippi . The ones that stalked and killed the jogger in Canada were heavy in red wolf . Interesting story there .

Hey no problem, all those city folks are going to hide out in the woods when the SHTF, so the coyote will be well fed and the chickens / cats will be fine for a while.

 

[Arcticdude]

Could be a coywolf. I killed a coyote a number of years ago that had a luxurious thick coat with white in it.

They say the red wolf has 60% coyote ancestry and 40% gray wolf ancestry.

I've heard of coyotes breeding with dogs before but never with a wolf in the wild. I guess it's possible, but generally, if given the chance, wolves will kill a dog.
I've been trapping coyotes for around 50 years now and I've learned that anything is possible.

 

[Kevin L]

I don't know if this counts as keeping poultry, but my situation (here in South Florida) is unique.

We have tons and tons of Muscovy ducks all over the place down here....almost to the point where they're considered a pest.

I feed them a few times, and they become habituated very quickly (they seem pretty intelligent, as far as birds go), and they stay around the house.

I know where they build their nests, where they eat, and so on. I do plan on using them as a protein source post SHTF.

Evidentally, people do eat them....as it's called "barbary duck" in restaurant menus.

 

[Psalm7]

I think Muscovy is considered a meat duck and not a egg duck .

 

[Kevin L]

I think Muscovy is considered a meat duck and not a egg duck .

Maybe so, but I've seen nests with lots of eggs that seemed even larger than chicken eggs.

I don't see any reason why they couldn't be eaten in a pinch. I'm sure if I'm hungry enough....the distinction will seem trivial.

 

[Psalm7]

Maybe so, but I've seen nests with lots of eggs that seemed even larger than chicken eggs.

I don't see any reason why they couldn't be eaten in a pinch. I'm sure if I'm hungry enough....the distinction will seem trivial.

They can and are , actually preferred by some People . I am no fan of duck eggs but have eaten them . When fried they remind Me of shellac .

 

[Kevin L]

They can and are , actually preferred by some People . I am no fan of duck eggs but have eaten them . When fried they remind Me of shellac .

I'm surprised.

Duck eggs are used a lot in Chinese and Korean cuisine, and I've found them to be delicious.....but maybe that's because of the spices and other things that they're prepared with.

Pickled duck eggs are yummy! Especially when they use garlic, chili pepper, lemongrass, sea salt, and basil in the mix.

 

[Arcticdude]

Does anyone here know anything about raising Guinea's? I don't know much about them, but I have heard that they don't scratch like chickens. And they eat small rodents and snakes. I hear they make a lot of noise too but that's about it.

 

[Kevin L]

I know that guinea hens love to eat ticks, and actively hunt for them.

Supposedly, guinea hens do an important job in reducing the total number of ticks and the diseases associated with them.

I--personally--would be really grossed out trying to eat a bird that lives on ticks, but that's me.

 

[DrHenley]

Does anyone here know anything about raising Guinea's? I don't know much about them, but I have heard that they don't scratch like chickens. And they eat small rodents and snakes. I hear they make a lot of noise too but that's about it.

And they are good watchdogs too.

 

[Psalm7]

My Great Uncle and Aunt kept Guinea's. They are great watch dogs and will find snakes sometimes even killing snakes . They have a wild nature and venture away and get caught by predators often . Roosting in trees leaves them susceptible to owls . I like them but currently don't have any . They will get in a road and stand there getting run over . Make better dumplings than chicken and the eggs are good eating .
Most flocks Iv seen are mostly blue a few silvers and occasional white . Set the eggs under a good hen as the Guinea hens will drag them through brush and morning dew until she loses most . You have to watch them to see where they made their nest as it will be in some remote place .

 

[Arcticdude]

The meat chickens and ducks that my wife ordered are scheduled to arrive at the post office next week. I've got an area setup in the bee house to brood the chicks and ducks. I'm not sure what the ducks will need for housing, but knowing my wife she'll want an elaborate structure built, plus their own pond in the back yard. At least she'll be home tomorrow to help out.

 

[Arcticdude]

We picked up the chicks at the post office yesterday. It's still getting cold at night so they're all huddled under the brooder trying to stay warm. We ordered a different breed of meat chickens to try out this year.
We'll get some guineas next year to see if they'll help with the snake problem here. Got another rattlesnake yesterday so we need all the help we can get.