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Why don’t you have chickens (UPDATE)

submitted by Native to whatever 1.8 yearsAug 4, 2022 21:42:55 ago (+4/-0)     (whatever)

Here’s an update to this post

All of my chickens but one were slaughtered a few weeks after that post. They were just two months old.

It was my fault, I didn’t do a good enough job protecting my flock and mink/marten can easily chew through chicken wire yes I didn’t know that either.

Had to order a new flock. And I was able to trap and shoot the cunt animal that did it.



20 comments block

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[ - ] MaryXmas 4 points 1.8 yearsAug 4, 2022 21:49:56 ago (+4/-0)

Fencing is a suggestion for chickens. Just make your run big enough that they have no reason to leave. I use welded wire maybe 5 ft. The raptors still come in and the coons can visit any time they like, it's all part of the game. I haven't lost too many birds recently. I lock them in the barn from new years till the super bowl. Had 60 at one point, next spring I am planning on about 75 and 15 turkeys.

[ - ] Native [op] 0 points 1.8 yearsAug 4, 2022 22:13:09 ago (+0/-0)

Yeah it’s a rough life. Makes me feel bad that a mink broke in. Feel like I am a failure. Glad your flock is doing good. Will you mix your turkeys and chickens together or have them separated?

[ - ] MaryXmas 2 points 1.8 yearsAug 4, 2022 22:38:36 ago (+2/-0)

They go up, they go down, it is all nature. Just a good reminder that you aren't really in charge.

Yeah I will mix them. I think there will be about 15 meat chickens(brahama roosters) , 15 meat turkeys (heritage something) and add 15-20 layers(alphenzeller spitzhauben) to my existing flock. I might spare a big rooster if they aren't too loud.

[ - ] Native [op] 0 points 1.8 yearsAug 5, 2022 01:11:52 ago (+0/-0)

Awesome that sounds exciting! How long do you go before you dispatch your chickens and turkeys?

Do you wait awhille or when they are up to weight?

[ - ] MaryXmas 2 points 1.8 yearsAug 5, 2022 15:21:47 ago (+2/-0)

When the cockerals start to crow, I start getting the stuff ready - plucker, pots, table, sawhorses... It is like they have a timer that dings when they are done.
I think it is about 16 weeks but I don't really keep track. They are in a big run so they mostly eat bugs in the summer. I am not worried about keeping the food bill down like some farmers.
For the turkeys, I think probably April to October but I am not positive yet. I probably need to get a bigger cone for them.

[ - ] deleted 2 points 1.8 yearsAug 4, 2022 21:54:28 ago (+2/-0)

deleted

[ - ] Native [op] 1 point 1.8 yearsAug 4, 2022 22:11:10 ago (+1/-0)

[ - ] Her0n 1 point 1.8 yearsAug 5, 2022 07:55:51 ago (+1/-0)

Get a guard dog.

[ - ] ElementalPee 0 points 1.8 yearsAug 5, 2022 12:28:02 ago (+0/-0)

My dogs would kill them. Even if I wanted to deal with having chickens, it's not really plausible.

[ - ] gooch 0 points 1.8 yearsAug 4, 2022 21:46:55 ago (+0/-0)

have you tried getting a good ol farm dog? a light will help too. check your local scrapyard for fencing. you can get some nice fencin for super cheap.

[ - ] Native [op] 0 points 1.8 yearsAug 4, 2022 22:13:55 ago (+0/-0)

Tried a dog. Too high energy. I have a child and two cats already. Can’t do a dog but I want one for this reason

[ - ] MaryXmas 2 points 1.8 yearsAug 4, 2022 22:42:54 ago (+2/-0)

Unless you are farming, a chicken dog is more work than replacing a few birds.

[ - ] gooch 1 point 1.8 yearsAug 4, 2022 22:26:01 ago (+1/-0)

its an old hillybilly trick but youd be surprised at how some animals are repulsed by the smell of human piss. especially groundhogs.

[ - ] Native [op] 0 points 1.8 yearsAug 5, 2022 01:23:58 ago (+0/-0)

Already do that mate hah. Piss on all four corners of my property. Feels good when a man can do that on his own land.

[ - ] gooch 1 point 1.8 yearsAug 5, 2022 17:56:22 ago (+1/-0)

the trick is to fill an old water jug and let it sit a few days. then make a hotspot in the yard.

[ - ] MaryXmas 0 points 1.8 yearsAug 4, 2022 21:46:01 ago (+0/-0)

You have a rooster? It might not do anything against the martens but it might help.

[ - ] Native [op] 1 point 1.8 yearsAug 4, 2022 22:14:36 ago (+1/-0)

I did. But they were just too young when the fowl murder occurred

[ - ] MaryXmas 2 points 1.8 yearsAug 4, 2022 22:31:21 ago (+2/-0)

At about 18 months they get mean as fuck. I had several that would attack and kick me when i went into the run. I put them in a pot.
I tried some more gentle breed roosters (brahamas) and one was murdered by the alpha. It was snowing and looked like the wood chipper scene from Fargo.

[ - ] Native [op] 0 points 1.8 yearsAug 5, 2022 01:25:25 ago (+0/-0)

Wow! That’s what I’ve been reading about cocks. It’s a fine line. You want aggressive ones to defend the flock but not so bad that they annoy you

[ - ] 1Icemonkey -2 points 1.8 yearsAug 4, 2022 23:01:52 ago (+0/-2)

Some people shouldn’t have chickens. They need to be protected like infant humans. Some people shouldn’t have children. I’m sad for your chickens.