I can't find my Toulouse gosling. She is just gone. No sign of anything. I never heard a thing. Wouldn't you think if something tried to get 3 adult ganders, 5 2 1/2 month goslings, and 8 very loud assorted pond ducks would have raised a ruckus?? All the geese, goslings, and pond ducks were all staying up by the house by the Aviary which is something I don't want since it is right on the edge of the woods. I tried to get them back down to the pond but they would only go as far as the front porch where the yard is lighted so I put them down some food in hopes of them staying there. It was nasty weather last night too with thunder storms. I can't believe another animals would come out in that. I haven't heard the coyoties in a couple of weeks. I walked areas of my property and there is just no clue
Sad day
Don't give up yet. I've had pullets disappear only to reappear the next day with so sign of where they'd been.
My grandmother used to tell me how vicious coyotes are. She had seen them kill baby calves right after they were born. She hated coyotes. They run in packs and she said they could take out a full grown cow if they wanted to. They single one out and surround it.
You would think if they killed them there would be feathers though.
Hopefully they are hiding.
I hope you find her... it's so hard to just wonder! Hope all is okay.
Aw, I'm so sorry - I hope she turns up soon!
still no sign of anything
I now know that she is dead somewhere. This morning at 3 a.m. we caught the coyotoe in the act of trying to haul off my big Pilgrim Gander. I only heard 1 squak and the wing flapping. He is a big boy about 10 to 15 lbs. I knew they were acting spooked again and I kept going outside and coughing and clapping my hands. about 2 a.m. when I did it they all came to the front porch and sat under the spot lights. I can't believe that thing came to my front porch and got one. It was storming again on and off all day and night. I guess they use that kind of weather for hunting figuring all the animals will be hunkered down. I managed to get 9 geese and 8 ducks into the pen with a flash light. Don't know what I am going to do. The cage is down by the pond and I may not hear them if it tries to dig under. The cage is welded wire so I don't believe it can get through it. I believe the reason we didn't really hear much is it was grabbed by the breast based on the little bit of blood spots I see on him this morning. It doesn't look bad but I don't know for sure. He won't let me near him right now
The only thing I can think of, is lay down some chicken wire inside and secure it to the sides, or dig around and make the L shape with wire, weighing it down with heavy wood or stones. I suppose you could also lay stones down inside.
I totally understand. Night time is such a danger for them.
Congratulations on your last-minute save!
If you have a determined and hungry predator, they'll dig under just about anything. This is a LOT of work, but worth it for your birds: Run some very taut wire along the base of the cage. Trench all around your aviary one foot deep by at least six inches wide. Get enough roof flashing (12 or 14 inches wide) to go all around the animals' area. Cut the flashing with tin snips down to about 6 inches. Be sure to wear heavy gloves. This stuff is wickedly sharp and will lacerate you. Spread the cut strips out alternately and bury it to about 2 or 3 inches below the soil line and the bottom of the welded wire if you've buried that. If you do not have chickens or other birds that dig, you can make this a bit more shallow (nearer the surface), but be sure to carefully pack the dirt in over it. Nothing will be able to burrow or dig into it without really hurting itself. It's like subterranean concertina wire. If you can afford to sink the flashing in concrete, it wouldn't hurt. Running a hot wire around the base and top of the cage is easy, too, but not 100% effective. If you don't want to fool with the flashing, you can use cut soda cans and such, but the flashing provides a secure barrier. I have had stray dogs tear under chicken wire and break welds on welded wire. I have lost a lot of animals to marauding predators in the past. When I built my new one at my new home, I was determined not to have to go through that again, ever. This yard is completely enclosed and we have not had any problems even with skunks, raccoons, or armadillos -more than once. My aviary was built with tool cage panels and heavy posts. The top is welded wire. We call it Fort Embden Toulouse.
How is your gander? Hope the bite wound is manageable.
I plan to put 2', 1/4 mesh all the way around the cage on the ground and lower walls. It may be a month or so. Still recooping from having the cages built.
Gander is doing well. No signs of infection thankfully
Or get one of these;
Ken, that's a great Pyrenees, isn't it? Since our problem is the dogs (not wild predators yet, knock on wood), I don't think getting another is going to be a big help! Our cousins have one of those though, and he does a great job keeping the animals on their farm safe.
We have a bunch of big dogs. We have to protect our chickens from them but, they definitely do keep other predators away.
I'm thinking about it Ken
I didn't give shot to Roo. I am to chicken. Would need to see someone do it first before I tried. He seems to be feeling better. He is out and running around the last few days
We are going to have a litter any day now. Trish and Dave has first pick on a make pup. They got a sister of our newest female pup last month. Nadine's coworker had a litter and she brought us two puppies at the Jacksonville RU, one for us and one Trish.
Had a really interesting conversation with a lady about flock/guard/ herding dogs last week. Fascinating breed(s) of dog. I don't have the need for one, it would be bored silly guarding 16 chickens and flower beds. My own guard dogs live in the house with us.
I love the "Molosser" breeds.
We bought Maremma Sheperds to protect our goats, sheep and chickens. The coyotes and cougars here are terrible, and the pups have made all the difference. They are amazing dogs.