First predators!

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Rossman
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First predators!

Post by Rossman » Thu Jan 07, 2021 2:16 pm

Well we had our first encounter with predators last week.

I got up to make lunch and out of the corner of my eye i saw something moving out the window, looked closer and it was either a wolf or a coyote, it was huge and grey/white, but it all happened so fast I can't be sure. The dog saw it too and she started barking as I got my shoes on to go out to run it off - by the time I got out there it was gone, but I was only able to find three (of eight) of our hens (they free range).

I went back inside, got my gun and the dog on a leash, and headed back out to search the woods. This was the day before it snowed so there were no tracks I could follow, and we found nothing except a rather large clump of feathers (but no blood) from one of our cream legbars, so assumed at that point at least one of them had been taken.

Returned the dog to the house, went outside and called and called and called the hens, and 3 more appeared from the woods on the far side of the house, clucking nervously. Not long after that one of the hens started making a crazy call, and another hen came out of the woods too. I was pretty happy to have found seven out of the eight of them.

And then, just before it was time for them to head into the coop for the night, the last one showed up, none the worse for the wear (a few ruffled/missing feathers).

:banana:

The survivors:
survivors.jpg
The following morning when I went out to shovel snow I heard my neighbour shooting like crazy (unusual for him). I assume he must have dealt to the problem. We kept the hens in the coop for a few days but there have been no further signs of whatever it was, so we have started letting them out again. :stars:
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ross
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Re: First predators!

Post by ross » Thu Jan 07, 2021 3:21 pm

Luck man
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ENJOY YOUR HUNTING / FISHING HERITAGE & the GREATNESS of CANADA

Rossman
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Re: First predators!

Post by Rossman » Thu Jan 07, 2021 4:10 pm

It was indeed! I really need to get a donkey to protect the hens....
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labradors
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Re: First predators!

Post by labradors » Thu Jan 07, 2021 5:41 pm

What a relief that your chickens were ok :).

Linda
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kenya
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Re: First predators!

Post by kenya » Thu Jan 07, 2021 7:24 pm

It happens they all scatter and hide, thankfully they found their way home. Sometimes it's quite a hunt to find them or the neighbors call you saying they think they have one of your hens at their place. Lucky you only lost one.
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Kbr42
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Re: First predators!

Post by Kbr42 » Fri Jan 08, 2021 8:31 am

I have been known to stand on my roof looking for scatter hens and roosters after an attack. Gld you got all your girls back safely.
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Ontario Chick
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Re: First predators!

Post by Ontario Chick » Fri Jan 08, 2021 9:07 am

Lucky you, lucky girls :) keeping an eye out pays off !
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Rossman
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Re: First predators!

Post by Rossman » Fri Jan 08, 2021 10:19 am

I was just so relieved when the last one showed up! It's funny how you can get attached to them :)

@kenya we didn't lose any in the end! :D
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kenya
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Re: First predators!

Post by kenya » Fri Jan 08, 2021 10:21 am

Wow you were lucky!
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