All hens are dead, visitor, through the night

crow killer

Well-Known Member
Went to feed my 4 hens and a cockerel this morning, knew right away we had had a visitor, feathers all over and all hens missing, my own fault really as id not got around to, repairing a gap in the wire, its just jumped over and in, a pony had pulled some chicken wire down a while ago, should have been patched up, too late now, we dont get a second chance.
Suspect theyve gone to some holes half a mile away close to the beck, its had cubs in there other years, ive permission to go. So will take a look.
An annoying situation to say the least. The mother hen was called sole surviver, as it was the only one left from raids in other years, the other 4 were from eggs I bought in and hatched by her last June, She had the best hatch of 10 out of 10, rearing 9, 6 were cocks.
 
Went to feed my 4 hens and a cockerel this morning, knew right away we had had a visitor, feathers all over and all hens missing, my own fault really as id not got around to, repairing a gap in the wire, its just jumped over and in, a pony had pulled some chicken wire down a while ago, should have been patched up, too late now, we dont get a second chance.
Suspect theyve gone to some holes half a mile away close to the beck, its had cubs in there other years, ive permission to go. So will take a look.
An annoying situation to say the least. The mother hen was called sole surviver, as it was the only one left from raids in other years, the other 4 were from eggs I bought in and hatched by her last June, She had the best hatch of 10 out of 10, rearing 9, 6 were cocks.
Might be worth waiting up to see if the vistor returns for the remaining hen.
 
Went to feed my 4 hens and a cockerel this morning, knew right away we had had a visitor, feathers all over and all hens missing, my own fault really as id not got around to, repairing a gap in the wire, its just jumped over and in, a pony had pulled some chicken wire down a while ago, should have been patched up, too late now, we dont get a second chance.
Suspect theyve gone to some holes half a mile away close to the beck, its had cubs in there other years, ive permission to go. So will take a look.
An annoying situation to say the least. The mother hen was called sole surviver, as it was the only one left from raids in other years, the other 4 were from eggs I bought in and hatched by her last June, She had the best hatch of 10 out of 10, rearing 9, 6 were cocks.
My pen which held 300 poults had 4 pop holes, never had a fox get in, yes they might have had a few on the out side but only a few as I shot snared the crap out of them.
Foxes expose the weak link very well, sorry but farmers are poor at getting around to "I must fix that" 1 had a new quad delivered second night never locked the barn...gone. :doh: :doh: :doh:
 
My pen which held 300 poults had 4 pop holes, never had a fox get in, yes they might have had a few on the out side but only a few as I shot snared the crap out of them.
Foxes expose the weak link very well, sorry but farmers are poor at getting around to "I must fix that" 1 had a new quad delivered second night never locked the barn...gone. :doh: :doh: :doh:
Absolutely bang on for Farmer description, re "Must get round to doing that.":old:
 
We now have automatic doors on the hen house, opens and closes at set times, has worked a treat for over 2 years, change batteries regularly.
We also have a solar powered one on the coupe they used to lay in.
Modern tech is very good
 
Usually some time after when they've been able to find a suitable length of orange baler twine?
I have GT85 and a couple of adjustable spanners in the truck and over the year adjust the gates on a number of farms so they "shut"
in more extreme cases I will plan a detour when the welder is in the truck and "fix the fu##ing gate"
I did one the other day as he wanted a chain welded on, I said leave it 2 links longer nope, now it is a pain to get the lock on lol :doh: :doh: :coat:
 
They say a mechanics’s car never gets fixed, you ought to see a fencing contractors farm :doh: I will get there honest just got a couple of other things to do first!!!
 
Don't go anywhere close to holes until you are ready to sit for them. She'll shift them if you do.
ok, ill need to move my high seat a bit nearer to the wood, its an awkward spot to watch, very deep holes on a steep bank, badger holes some of them, in a thick larch and spruce wood, about 30 yards from a stream, which is always needed, if I shot any adults, I could move quite closer and maybe see the cubs, and use a .22 on them. They will be as big as cats now at this time of year.
 
ok, ill need to move my high seat a bit nearer to the wood, its an awkward spot to watch, very deep holes on a steep bank, badger holes some of them, in a thick larch and spruce wood, about 30 yards from a stream, which is always needed, if I shot any adults, I could move quite closer and maybe see the cubs, and use a .22 on them. They will be as big as cats now at this time of year.
Just drag the mum from the rough den area to where you want the cubs, they should come looking
 
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