Thursday, December 1, 2011

RE: [CHICKENS-101] Coopers hawk

 

A female Coopers is death on the wing.  Everything up to the size of a small turkey is game.  They can only carry off about half their weight so not much.  Larger poultry they will kill and consume on the spot unless interrupted.  Coopers are also federally protected and the fine for harming one is very high.  Owl decoys are sometimes helpful in keeping them away if you move it about so they think it is alive.  Everything else is temporary at best.  The only full proof protection is keeping your poultry behind wire mesh. Even then they will sometimes catch things through the wire and pull parts of the body through to eat.  JMHO

Ed Thomas

Round Rock, Texas

 

From: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com [mailto:CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Marla
Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2011 9:55 PM
To: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com; Chickens101Cafe@yahoogroups.com; UrbanChickensAndGardening@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [CHICKENS-101] Coopers hawk

 

 

Sorry for the cross post. If this bothers you I'm sorry I just want opinions on this before it causes any problems. Thank you
I had been seeing an occasional coopers hawk in the last 6 months (probably the same bird but who knows). Any way it's been here daily as far as I can tell in the last week (uncles visitation and funeral sun and monday kept me from being out much then stomach flu wed kept me from going out at all). Youngest dd did chores and since she's not the most observant I don't know if the hawk was there or not. Today it was perched on the roof of the duck pen. They were NOT happy. Now I'm guessing that she (guessing female due to size) isn't large enough to fly off with my ducks or large chickens, bantams have a covered run, and ducks have a roof but the duck pen has slits that smaller birds could probably fit thru. My concern thus my question for you all is: Since Coopers hawks are predators of birds I'm assuming she will go for my chickens. Are my ducks also in danger? Do the pie pans and other shiny objects dangling from wire stretched across the pen/property really work to deter them?
I don't have the money to buy enough netting to cover their area. My brother and dad have promised me some coated chicken wire out of a job my brother is doing but who knows when I'll get that. I live in town and the largest bird I've seen in 10 years has been a dove (besides my chickens which I've had for 6 years) until this.
I kept the chickens locked up today. I read and read then gathered everything I need to put up pie pans and such for tomorrow if that will work.
Please any experience or advice is appreciated. I just don't want to ask after the fact. I know red tails are chicken problems and coopers are problems with bantams. But do they know what's too big for them?
Thanks in advance
Marla
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

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[CHICKENS-101] Coopers hawk

 

Sorry for the cross post. If this bothers you I'm sorry I just want opinions on this before it causes any problems. Thank you
I had been seeing an occasional coopers hawk in the last 6 months (probably the same bird but who knows). Any way it's been here daily as far as I can tell in the last week (uncles visitation and funeral sun and monday kept me from being out much then stomach flu wed kept me from going out at all). Youngest dd did chores and since she's not the most observant I don't know if the hawk was there or not. Today it was perched on the roof of the duck pen. They were NOT happy. Now I'm guessing that she (guessing female due to size) isn't large enough to fly off with my ducks or large chickens, bantams have a covered run, and ducks have a roof but the duck pen has slits that smaller birds could probably fit thru. My concern thus my question for you all is: Since Coopers hawks are predators of birds I'm assuming she will go for my chickens. Are my ducks also in danger? Do the pie pans and other shiny objects dangling from wire stretched across the pen/property really work to deter them?
I don't have the money to buy enough netting to cover their area. My brother and dad have promised me some coated chicken wire out of a job my brother is doing but who knows when I'll get that. I live in town and the largest bird I've seen in 10 years has been a dove (besides my chickens which I've had for 6 years) until this.
I kept the chickens locked up today. I read and read then gathered everything I need to put up pie pans and such for tomorrow if that will work.
Please any experience or advice is appreciated. I just don't want to ask after the fact. I know red tails are chicken problems and coopers are problems with bantams. But do they know what's too big for them?
Thanks in advance
Marla
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

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Re: [CHICKENS-101] Daily chores/position of coop

 

I have chickens in 2 houses about an 1/8 of a mile from our residence. Basically, 45 mins to an hour a day is spent dealing with them. Depending on what time I spend just enjoying them. And feeding/watering the Call ducks who are in a rabbit hutch close to our trailer. I don't free range anymore, due to an over abundance of foxes this year. 
I can understand about the winters. Last year it was 3 feet of snow here in DE. Fortunately DH now has a snow blower and makes paths for me. Before I just walked the same path daily, and the chickens (then free ranging) learned to do the same.
 
Gothy
http://fullmoonchickens.blogspot.com/
From: S.F. <ancientscribe@eotworld.com>
To: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, December 1, 2011 4:55 PM
Subject: [CHICKENS-101] Daily chores/position of coop
 
Out of curiosity how much time in the day is needed to take care of chickens? I would like to get a very small flock, but I am worried
that I will not have the time to take care of them.

Secondly, I live in NYS and wonder how far or near the coop should be from the house. Is there such a thing as too close? I also worry about taking care of them when the snow is deep or blowing.

Frances



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Re: [CHICKENS-101] Daily chores/position of coop

 


I live in North Georgia so my situation is a little different from yours.  I also live in an older neighborhood and our house is on a 1 acre lot.  The coop/pen is inside our back yard and fenced off on one end of the yard.  There are about 20 standard chickens of various breeds at this time in the same pen.  They are allowed to free range in the back yard when I am outside during the day and have learned to stay inside the backyard fence.  At night they go into the chicken house.   I have one roo that is pretty quiet and the neighbors are ok with him.  I give them fresh water every morning and food.  Then I clean out the pen if needed and check the nests and inside the house.  Most days it takes less than an hour.  In the afternoon I make sure they have clean water and usually give them a treat of veggies or scratch or sweet feed pellets.  I look them over to make sure they are healthy and clean.  We spend a little time talking to each other, etc.  They are so funny and entertaining.
 
I also have a small pen with 3 Polish Top Hats, and small pen with Silkies and a small pen with Seramas.  They are closer to the house and get the same care as the layers.
 
Our neighbors are very ok with the chickens and we are lucky to be able to have them.  Hopefully you will determine that it is worth it to keep a few hens and enjoy them for a long time.   Good luck to you.  
 
Susan in Conyers
 
 
From: S.F. <ancientscribe@eotworld.com>
To: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, December 1, 2011 4:55 PM
Subject: [CHICKENS-101] Daily chores/position of coop

 
Out of curiosity how much time in the day is needed to take care of chickens? I would like to get a very small flock, but I am worried
that I will not have the time to take care of them.

Secondly, I live in NYS and wonder how far or near the coop should be from the house. Is there such a thing as too close? I also worry about taking care of them when the snow is deep or blowing.

Frances



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RE: [CHICKENS-101] Re: Daily chores/position of coop

 

            A small flock shouldn’t take much time at all.  Cleaning the coop is probably the most time consuming.  Being in NYS, I am assuming you get mega snowfall and if so, you’ll want a coop that is large enough to not only house them on their perches at night when roosting, but enough square footage to allow them to scratch and meander around inside. 

 

            Fifteen minutes a day to feed and water and then maybe an hour to clean and refresh bedding.  Waterers should be cleaned out at least weekly, so allow a few minutes for that.  If you have duplicates, you can always have a clean one to replace the dirty and bring it indoors to wash for the next change.  I am a firm believer in back up supplies.  Also, a heat source to keep the water from freezing.

 

Laura Roberts

R Half Pint Farm

Spotsylvania, VA 

 

From: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com [mailto:CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of roundofappaws@sbcglobal.net
Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2011 6:13 PM
To: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [CHICKENS-101] Re: Daily chores/position of coop

 

 

Frances,
You should check with your residential zoning and see if they have rules for how many and where the coop is to be from the house. In San Diego one was suppose to have the coop 50ft from the house. I don't think most yards are that big! I just put mine right up next to the house so I could hear if something was going one.

You could take 100 hours or 10 min. They are really self sufficent. Feed them, make sure they have water and collect the eggs and enjoy! I have about 60 now and I fill the feeder weekly, take 5 min to collect eggs daily. You will have to clean the coop once in a while...

I was just thinking last night how much I enjoy my hens. Something about them is super calming and the eggs are fantastic. I have some I think are pretty cool to look at too :)

Renee
S CA

--- In CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com, "S.F." <ancientscribe@...> wrote:
>
> Out of curiosity how much time in the day is needed to take care of chickens? I would like to get a very small flock, but I am worried
> that I will not have the time to take care of them.
>
> Secondly, I live in NYS and wonder how far or near the coop should be from the house. Is there such a thing as too close? I also worry about taking care of them when the snow is deep or blowing.
>
> Frances
>

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Posted by at No comments:

[CHICKENS-101] Re: Daily chores/position of coop

 

Frances,
You should check with your residential zoning and see if they have rules for how many and where the coop is to be from the house. In San Diego one was suppose to have the coop 50ft from the house. I don't think most yards are that big! I just put mine right up next to the house so I could hear if something was going one.

You could take 100 hours or 10 min. They are really self sufficent. Feed them, make sure they have water and collect the eggs and enjoy! I have about 60 now and I fill the feeder weekly, take 5 min to collect eggs daily. You will have to clean the coop once in a while...

I was just thinking last night how much I enjoy my hens. Something about them is super calming and the eggs are fantastic. I have some I think are pretty cool to look at too :)

Renee
S CA

--- In CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com, "S.F." <ancientscribe@...> wrote:
>
> Out of curiosity how much time in the day is needed to take care of chickens? I would like to get a very small flock, but I am worried
> that I will not have the time to take care of them.
>
> Secondly, I live in NYS and wonder how far or near the coop should be from the house. Is there such a thing as too close? I also worry about taking care of them when the snow is deep or blowing.
>
> Frances
>

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Posted by at No comments:

[CHICKENS-101] Daily chores/position of coop

 

Out of curiosity how much time in the day is needed to take care of chickens? I would like to get a very small flock, but I am worried
that I will not have the time to take care of them.

Secondly, I live in NYS and wonder how far or near the coop should be from the house. Is there such a thing as too close? I also worry about taking care of them when the snow is deep or blowing.

Frances

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