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originally posted by: TheRedneck
a reply to: imitator
We have about the same preds here, but so far no issues. The dog keeps the coyotes and foxes at bay, and the turkeys handle the smaller possums, skunks, and coons.Turkeys can get mean when they want to!
So far no hawk issues, but we did have a run-in with a barn owl a while back. No missing birds after all was said and done, but it did net us a sleepless night.
TheRedneck
I know me, if I had started raising chickens back when I first started thinking about, I'd have a chicken retirement home by now because, well... I just wouldn't want to kill my babies!!
originally posted by: dawnstar
a reply to: Sheye
you welcome I guess, although not sure why you find it so ironically comical..
well, really I kind of think I know why...
tell me, why would I feel so protective over the little chicken that I raised from a baby chick and yet, still eat eggs that just may be fertilized with no problems whatsoever?
originally posted by: dawnstar
I've thought about getting some chickens a few times through the years, I just really don't know that much about raising them... but they are so cute when they are babies...lol...
I know me, if I had started raising chickens back when I first started thinking about, I'd have a chicken retirement home by now because, well... I just wouldn't want to kill my babies!!
so, still no chickens, but now my son is thinking about it.. so I will be reading this thread, hoping to pick up some pointers to pass on to him..
thank you for starting it redneck..
originally posted by: TheRedneck
a reply to: CynConcepts
We have had similar experiences (including Tractor Supply, lol). We almost lost one chick when we put ducklings in with them, and we have had our run-in with the owls. And the ducks... I'm sorry, I thought chickens were dumb! They're geniuses compared to ducks!
It's a simple test: if I throw down a cigarette butt and a chicken tries to eat it, they might try it twice before they realize it's not food. After a few experiences, they'll look at one like "I ain't gonna go for that old trick!" A duck will continue to try to eat the damn thing until I finally stop laughing and grind it so far into the ground they can't get it. And they never seem to learn those little round brown things ain't food. I do love to hear the drakes quacking, though, even if the hens do get kinda screechy in response.
My biggest surprise was turkeys. I got these as a gift from a friend... someone gave him several and he brought me half of them. I raised them just like I do chicks, except they never went inside because it was summertime. They are not dumb, and faced with a smaller pred, they are better than the dog at maintaining order. I saw four of them making a skunk run for its life!
My wife used to have a peacock when she was younger, and I want to try and get a peacock and peahen up here too. I understand they're badder than turkeys, so I feel sorry for any possum that wanders in here. Only problem is, the darn things are hard to find and $50 each!
TheRedneck