You have shown us a lot of how the Amish live off the land. Now you have shared with us a little bit of how you also live off the land with your chickens...thank you..!!
8 out of 17? That sucks. I am very protective of my animals, if I am not there to watch them they have a large area of the yard that is closed off where they are safe from predators. I actually worry more about hawks than raccoons. We also have a lot of coyotes. If I have to shoot something to protect them I will, but so far I have found alternatives so that I don't have to do that. Luckily we don't have bears around here.
in 12 years I've only had 2 Racoon problems. It's like they hide and breed and then start picking them off. Keeping a smaller flock around 20 to 25 helps so I can count them! I'm surprised I haven't had hawks as they circle around here alot. I think the trees help? Thus is life...right?
Ive never had to train mine they just go where the others go. I do however have a dog that eats her weight in eggs if i dont get them first so how on earth do i break her of that?!
How about don't let your dog access to the chickens? They should be in an enclosed, covered area where their hutches are protected. Don't let your dog in there, problem solved.
My dogs LOVE eggs but they can't reach the nest. Yes, if you have older hens they will learn from them. My problem is I'm training them to go back in the coop after they have daily freedom AND lay eggs. I used to just let them go and figure it out but when I let the younger hens just wander they tend to get picked off it there is a predator around...so many factors. You are lucky!
Simply Amish - By D. Kraybill - amzn.to/3TU01rL
You have shown us a lot of how the Amish live off the land. Now you have shared with us a little bit of how you also live off the land with your chickens...thank you..!!
Yes, the more we learn how to be self-sufficient the easier it will be for us when things go south.
Fantastic information, thank you!
Our pleasure!
8 out of 17? That sucks. I am very protective of my animals, if I am not there to watch them they have a large area of the yard that is closed off where they are safe from predators. I actually worry more about hawks than raccoons. We also have a lot of coyotes. If I have to shoot something to protect them I will, but so far I have found alternatives so that I don't have to do that. Luckily we don't have bears around here.
in 12 years I've only had 2 Racoon problems. It's like they hide and breed and then start picking them off. Keeping a smaller flock around 20 to 25 helps so I can count them! I'm surprised I haven't had hawks as they circle around here alot. I think the trees help? Thus is life...right?
Ive never had to train mine they just go where the others go. I do however have a dog that eats her weight in eggs if i dont get them first so how on earth do i break her of that?!
How about don't let your dog access to the chickens? They should be in an enclosed, covered area where their hutches are protected. Don't let your dog in there, problem solved.
My dogs LOVE eggs but they can't reach the nest. Yes, if you have older hens they will learn from them. My problem is I'm training them to go back in the coop after they have daily freedom AND lay eggs. I used to just let them go and figure it out but when I let the younger hens just wander they tend to get picked off it there is a predator around...so many factors. You are lucky!