Good Morning!

[Farrier1987]

I put the timer on the light in the coop about 5 days ago. Was getting 3 or 4 eggs a day. Now about 8 to 10. Not saying its all due to the timer, but whatever it is is working.

[labradors]

OC if you really want a work out with your pooch, I suggest you sign up for Agility! Phew! Lots of fun but totally exhausting {LOL}. Fortunately, my dog was more interested in finding innovative ways of doing things differently than plodding away to get it right. (She's part BC and refuses to do anything the same way more than three times in a row). We were able to quit - thank goodness!!!!!

Linda

[Ontario Chick]

Yes indeed, agility is the way I hope to go, although last time I did it with an Akita and she was just as bad at it as I was so there were no recriminations from the dog.
I suspect Addy will have her own agenda and I better keep up or else!

[kenya]

In my backyard today, I walked right up to them and they just walked a little faster away. Had the dog with me, she didn't care just thought they were big chickens I guess.

[kenya]

So I lost a lavender silkie chick to Turkey vultures. They are massive big birds almost as big as the turkeys above. It was a hen with her 3 chicks who usually stayed under the trees and I noticed she was starting to take them out in the open a bit. So of course the nicest chick gets taken. Now the vultures are hanging around looking for their next meal. Plus when I got up this morning strong scent of skunk at the back door.
I realize they are all preparing for the winter but I wish they would leave me and mine alone!
As I speak the vultures are sitting on the back fence. Needless to say poor silkies stay in unless I'm out with them. Too bad really the weather is so nice.

[Ontario Chick]

Darn, as much as I am a pacifist, perhaps a friend with a loud gun maybe able to ruin their appetite?
I just sold a dog kennel which we used for years covered with fruit tree netting, the only way to keep chicks safe.
What a bummer

[Killerbunny]

Oh no, how sad. I had never really considered turkey vultures as predator. Skunks and squirrels yes. Now I shall be more vigilant as we have hundreds going through here on migration.

[Farrier1987]

They go by my place by the hundreds, riding the air currents on the edge of the lake. Have never had them bother the chickens. We have encouraged the dogs to bark at any big bird overhead and the chickens go on alert. That was mostly for hawks, but they bark at the turkey vultures too. Didnt know they would take a chick. Ravens out west would really get after them, shotgun was the medicine for them or within a few days, the whole brood would be gone.

[Killerbunny]

Yes, ravens are so smart, one to distract and the other to grab!

[labradors]

So sorry Kenya.

Linda