Chicken/egg question

[Proud Prepper]

My old Red hen died. She was at the chick apartment door and couldn't make it any further. Don't remember which thread I had used to post about her.

It's time to make a chicken stew.

 

[user 7704]

It's time to make a chicken stew.

She was so old, it would have been shoe stew.

 

[Mountain trapper]

RIP to the old red hen Robin.
Got word from the hatchery that our first order of chicks will arrive at the post office tomorrow. The first batch is 70 Cornish cross meat chicks. We had snow and rain yesterday but tomorrow will be nice and then rain/snow through next week.

 

[Amish Heart]

Sorry about your hen. I lost a two year old hen this week. No rhyme or reason. The first one I've lost in years.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Here's Jake checking on the new chicks. He's been hanging out with them all afternoon.

 

[Proud Prepper]

I just got me a few blackstar chick's from a friend I traded with. Anyone have any of these?

 

[user 7704]

I have not PP

 

[Buttoni]

Here's Jake checking on the new chicks. He's been hanging out with them all afternoon.
View attachment 16162

Man, he sure has some BIG PAWS! I've seen a lot of labs but their paws didn't seem that big. Your pretty boy's feet look like a Great Dane's feet. LOL

 

[user 7704]

Here's Jake checking on the new chicks. He's been hanging out with them all afternoon.
View attachment 16162

He's hoping to grab a chicken nugget

 

[Mountain trapper]

We lost another meat chicken last night. That makes 15 that we've lost so far. That leaves us with 57 survivors. May was a very cold month with quite a bit of snow.
Got word yesterday that our ducks and chuckers were shipped. They should be at the post office tomorrow. The laying chicks are due to be shipped in July.

 

[user 7704]

Brought in another cage to put the old Red hen in since she has so many eggs under her. I removed the two eggs from the other 2 birds because I don't want them broody too.

I candled (flashlight) the eggs and saw some masses in a few so maybe she will have a family. She is about 5 years old and I'm shocked she even went broody.

It shouldn't be very many days until the older eggs hatch if they are viable.

 

[user 7704]

The old hen that has been sitting so long didnt havr any good eggs. The younger o e had a chick hatch last night. I was moving the mom and baby to the infirmary and the old hen took the chick and sat on it and didnt want to give it back. It is sad. Now, the old hen is sitting next to the infirmary and clucking to the chick.

Bless her old chicken heart. I wish one of hers had lived.

 

[Amish Heart]

How old are your meat chickens, Arcticdude?
We just got in 25 today.

 

[user 7704]

Dang. When I went to coop this morning, I saw a piece of the insulation I use around the top vents lying on the ground. Opened the door and there was a dead chicken with her head missing. Raccoon.

I have the whole place wired to keep critters out but obviously he broke through. I have to reinforce today. He didn't get the old one that is on the floor because she can't jump onto roost, had to get one of my producers.

I have the run fenced with netting over the top. He was smart.

He will be back tonight.

 

[user 7704]

It is like the chickens know I am helping them with all of my wire and tools. Even the roos are standing back and letting me work.

I set up the camera to catch a pic. Hopefully, his plan will be thwarted by my reinforcements.

 

[Cindyd]

I know the feeling. I hate it. I had to get my son to redo the top area of our chicken pen and coop area recently where coon had easily worked its way in a compromised area in the run .I ended up replacing everything with hardware cloth. Chicken wire had previously worked well for quite a long time but obviously it started rusting, and weakens over time plus those coons are smart, viscious critters!

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

Dang. When I went to coop this morning, I saw a piece of the insulation I use around the top vents lying on the ground. Opened the door and there was a dead chicken with her head missing. Raccoon.

I have the whole place wired to keep critters out but obviously he broke through. I have to reinforce today. He didn't get the old one that is on the floor because she can't jump onto roost, had to get one of my producers.

I have the run fenced with netting over the top. He was smart.

He will be back tonight.

How many did you lose Robin? Its always hard to lose our laying hens. Especially when we think we’ve secured them properly.

 

[user 7704]

I keep nesting boxes covered at night and was scared to take off because the critter may jump out.

I got gun just to be safe.

 

[user 7704]

How many did you lose Robin? Its always hard to lose our laying hens. Especially when we think we’ve secured them properly.

Luckily, just one. The old one was on the floor and a perfect target, but nooooo.

 

[user 7704]

I had the upper area where air is vented covered with metal wire and deer netting, but he pushed it open and crawled in.

My fence is layers of wire and nylon and I have crumpled netting around bottom to catch snakes. It is really hard to get inside, but he was crafty.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

My run is covered with heavy wire on all for sides…with a metal roof above the wire to keep rain out. Never trusted chicken wire. Simply not strong enough. I prefer either 1/2” or at most 1” wire. They can’t get their paws in or a good bite with their teeth.

 

[user 7704]

I'm going to put out 2 live traps tonight. Other than chicken heads, I have no idea what to bait them with.

 

[user 7704]

The list says use marshmallows or wet cat food. I'll use both. Dinner and dessert

 

[EastenerWesterner]

@Robinjopo1 I have had good luck with Sardines or canned cat food for both coons and fox. Coons some times are too big for my trap. Fox too vicious to attempt a live release. Happy Hunting.

 

[user 7704]

Thanks. I'm going to use cat food and marshmallows. I'll give update tomorrow.

 

[user 7704]

No deaths last night. Someone visited the first cage and stole the food. Did not trigger door. Obviously needs oiling.

The second cage was in run and it wasn't touched. So I guess my repairs worked. They cam was too far off ground so I didn't get pics.

Tonight, I will do better.

 

[Cindyd]

I had same problem when we set traps out. First night bait was gone in one trap and nothing in trap. The other trap accomplished nothing but drawing flies. Luckily, no more issues though after temporarily reinforcing compromised area til we got top replaced.

 

[user 7704]

Went to the apartment to lock down the baby and mom for the night. They were gone. The mom had taken the baby to the big coop to stay. I guess instinct told her that there is strength in numbers.

Didnt have a visitor last night. He didnt trip cage so I am moving it. Dont want to attract any other critters.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Went to the apartment to lock down the baby and mom for the night. They were gone. The mom had taken the baby to the big coop to stay. I guess instinct told her that there is strength in numbers.

Didnt have a visitor last night. He didnt trip cage so I am moving it. Dont want to attract any other critters.

Robin, trapping is man's work. Get the man of the house out to take care of the problem.
Seriously, coons prefer different baits depending on the time of year. Summer time they will probably like sweet bait better. You can try marshmallows, gummy bears, honey, maple syrup etc. Coons are some of the easiest critters to catch. You can also pick up a couple dog proof (DP) coon traps and set them around the area. There's also some commercial coon bait available that works good too.

 

[user 7704]

I used marshmallowsome and wet cat food. The first night he loved it.

He may have been scared by the motion detector.