Bad bobcat. :(

Jennie@ifish · 03-16-2006, 04:44 PM

Killed one of my pretty red chickens. :depressed:

I'm so bummed.

Weird. In broad daylight. I walked to the river to cast, walked back, and there were the feathers everywhere. :depressed:

Jen

Pete · 03-16-2006, 04:50 PM

:depressed: So sorry. Hope the rest of the brood stays safe.

Gus Orviston · 03-16-2006, 06:54 PM

What was it about the feathers everywhere that made you think it was bobcat?

My first thought was .. Lucky You.. not many people get to live close to and see bobcats very often.. but then again I am sure you liked you chickens too.

Shanghai gus,, where all chickens are suspected of avian flu.

SeaSparrow · 03-17-2006, 08:30 AM

Just to share your pain, we've lost 2 chickens to a bobcat and one to a coyote. We saw the paw prints for the bobcat and also got him on the trailcam. Saw the coyote in broad daylight pounce on one of the young ones. Waited the next day with the 20 gauge, had Mr.coyote in sight but just couldn't pull the trigger. He's not been back since. We are much more careful now about letting them out to roam freely. We also make sure the dog is out with them.
Also, if what they say is true about avian bird flu hitting the US in the next 10-20 months, our chickens will necessarily have to become crab bait...

GSD · 03-17-2006, 08:54 AM

Sorry for your loss Jennie.
We've lost some of our hens to bobcats & coyotes as well. This time of year I don't let mine out as often to free range.

SeaSparrow,
This avian flu thing will for sure give added fire to the USDA's plan on implementing their NAIS (National Animal Identification System) so all of the small flock owners and small herd owners will have to "register", so they can track any outbreaks that may occur.

William

Super Fluke · 03-17-2006, 08:59 AM

I'm sorry.

SeaSparrow · 03-17-2006, 09:17 AM

Quote:

This avian flu thing will for sure give added fire to the USDA's plan on implementing their NAIS (National Animal Identification System) so all of the small flock owners and small herd owners will have to "register", so they can track any outbreaks that may occur.

Yes you are absolutely right! Sounds like it will happen, according to the reading I've done. All farm animals will have to be registered within a few years. 2010?

Flying Roast Beef · 03-18-2006, 02:33 PM

Are you sure it wasn't a raccoon?

STGRule · 03-18-2006, 02:36 PM

Might have been a barn owl too. They love chickens.

Jennie@ifish · 03-18-2006, 03:27 PM

This one, I'm pretty sure was a bobcat. There are tracks. we have them around a lot.

They are SO bold!

They come right out and lounge in the field, preening themselves!

They are SO beautiful!

It could have been a coyote, raccoon or bobcat, but we are thinking bobcat on this one. I didn't see it happen, so we can't be sure.

They do, however, sit on the sidelines of the field, staring at them like dinner, though. :smile:

Hey, someone said, "this time of year." What goes on this time of year that you are particularly careful?

J

GSD · 03-18-2006, 04:36 PM

This time of year, the bobcats & coyotes around here are getting ready to have their young and they seem to want to eat bigger prey than just the voles, mice and other small critters they normally go after. They seem to be just a tad bit less afraid of the human presence as well.
But since I'm living in their yard, I guess they can have one hen every now and then.........

William

BrianH · 03-18-2006, 05:34 PM

Jennie,
I know it was one of your chickens, but I think that is kind of cool! I wish I lived somewhere where Bobcats roamed. Oh sure we have coyotes here in SW Portland, but they are nowhere near as cool as Bobcats!

Brian (tree hugging, fish catching, gun toting (7mm and lazer sighted 357), flower loving, quad riding (at least use too), elk killing (at least I try), enviromental 4x4 driving yahoo) H.

Oh yeah, I pick up trash too. :-D

Jennie@ifish · 03-18-2006, 06:39 PM

GSD, that is what I keep telling Bill. He says, "I want to trap one of those, and relocate it."

SHEESH!

Why? They were here, first!

I really believe that if you are going to move into the forest, you should respect those that were here, first.

I know. People think that's nuts. I don't.

Be prepared for the hazards, or don't live here. ?

garyk · 03-18-2006, 07:11 PM

Two thoughts...

1. Have you seen those movable chicken pens? Basically just a large pen on wood skids. You move it regularly or even daily so the chickens don't turn the lawn to dirt. Your lawn/pasture gets fertilized while you birds range within the safety of the pen.

Of course you still have to secure them into a safe chicken coop at night.

2. A watch-Llama.

Rank Amateur · 03-18-2006, 09:27 PM

I like your attitude about living in the wilds Jen, if we just kill off everything that doesn't fit into our grand scheme of things, there won't be much left. Then again, taking one out every once and a while will keep them wild and a little more wary of man, which in the long run is probably not a bad thing. P.S. don't tell Skein you have bobcats, hmm....Skein in pink pajama's calling cats in Jen's back yard, now that would be priceless!!!!

Jennie@ifish · 03-19-2006, 07:30 AM

Gary K, that sounds COOL!

GSD · 03-19-2006, 08:16 AM

Jen,
Try Google search for "Chicken Tractor". There are several examples of the movable chicken runs there, if you are interested.

William

ogrejager · 03-19-2006, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Be prepared for the hazards, or don't live here. ?

While I sort of agree, I'm leery of this attitude. Why? Remember that guy last month that shot the cougar in his backyard in California? There was talk of criminal charges and he actually had mad neighbors who said, in essence, the same thing as this. But regarding a cougar and a child rather than a bobcat and a chicken.

I've yet to see the bobcats around here. I should get some chickens, I guess.

slowbuilder2005 · 03-19-2006, 01:46 PM

We used to have a coyote out here that would follow you when you went for a walk in the local woods, then run like heck if you turned around to look at him. He would just follow along about 40' or 50' behind you for a mile or so then disappear. He was cute but skittish. I think someone must've been throwing food to him and now he's a beggar... Haven't seen him for awhile tho'. I like seeing coyotes because it means you're in good deer country as well.

Brian D