Chicken picking at feet

[poachedegg]

Really sorry about the bad time you are having with your chickens at the moment - hope you find a solution.

[Cooks]

so sorry to read this

[moomin]

So sorry to hear about your girls

[Laura&Sean]

I'm so shocked to read this and I'm really sorry and sad for you and the girls how awful.

Are you still considering trapping the stoat or weasel?

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[ali-s]

I've decided to go to the local farming store and look at their live traps to see how big they are. My dog is a small Pappilon and I would hate for him to get trapped. We have decided not to let Kitten Miley out until she is a lot bigger. I don't know if she would be able to defend herself if a Stoat attacked.

 

Andy is talking about building another walk in run. I would like to electrify the omlet netting so that the Chickens can be moved about the garden onto fresh grass, after all we moved here because of its large garden which could be filled with chickens.

 

I am hoping that once spring is here the Stoat or Stoats will leave us alone and move onto baby rabbits instead

 

I am not planning to replace the chickens. I have seen too much carnage in the last few weeks. My plan to rescue a a few comercial laying ducks will not now go ahead

 

On a happy note, Lily laid a perfect egg yesterday. This was her first since she had a prolapse. I was almost too scared to check her rear end incase she had prolpased again, she was fine

[Egluntyne]

A bit of good news at least about Lily.

[Forge Cottage]

Practical Tips re electric netting:

 

Firstly, don't worry about the chickens getting a shock now and again. It does not hurt them - think of it more of a surprise. Mine jump just as high when a butterfly goes past. I wish I had their problems...

 

Yes, it drains power if grass etc is allowed to touch the lower horizontal strands of the electric netting. This means there will be less Zap in your fence to deter the Fox. It will also drain your battery faster. But I think our electric net fence is really neat and has done its job well - so far.

 

Now and again I walk a lap of the electric netting pen to listen for a short circuit. You should hear a Tick sound every second or so where there is a piece of grass touching. If you feel lucky, you can clear the grass between Ticks. But there is a better way.

 

Cut some heavy gauge clear plastic sheeting into long strips about 4 inches wide. You can buy it in rolls at DIY places. Doesn't have to be perfect. Lift the netting posts one at a time and replace, puncturing the middle of the strip as you go. You can overlap strip ends where there is a post, e.g. at a corner. The pegs or skewers go through the plastic too, between the posts.

 

It is pretty secure and doesn't look bad. It does not kill the grass, as it is transparent, but keeps it well away from the electric strands. Even if the fence sags onto it, the plastic insulates from the ground (if dry). But you can punch more holes in the plastic if you want it to drain better.

 

Next, this kind of netting does sag, so make sure you have plenty of posts all round. Usually they are supplied with too few and you need to buy extras and space them better. It really helps to have a guy rope (remember camping?) at every change in direction or corner. This keeps the whole fence perky and efficient...

 

The nets are good as you can move them about (if your garden is big enough!) to give areas a rest. You can also use them in a U shape against a wall or fence etc - they still work OK. No, I am not on commission! Good luck all

[Gamebird]

So sorry to hear about your sad losses.

 

A well managed electric fence system will keep stoats, weasels, mink and foxes away.

 

I have kept my girls behind electric fencing since last June and so far so good.

 

The problem with trapping stoats is that there will probably be another stoat to take it's place.

 

Forge Cottage has good advice on electric fencing.

 

You might also find this thread and this one of use.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

So sorry to hear you've been having such bad luck . I somehow missed this thread the first time round . I really hope you manage to sort out something safe for all your girls (and other pets).

[ruth1]

Sorry about your girls and I hope you manage to get something sorted out soon.