Gratuitous chicken blogging: Ma, get the gun edition
By Gina Spadafori
June 28, 2008
Every so often, something sets the chickens off, usually just around dawn. They put up such a cackling commotion that if I’m not already awake I soon will be, and so will the neighbors. (Fortunately for us all, these morning alarm events are rare and quickly quieted.)
The first time it happened, I rushed out to find a stray dog on the neighbor’s acreage behind me. She was clawing at the fence boards with determination, and the hens were bunched at the other end of the enclosure, making quite the ruckus. I went out the back gate to see if I could catch the dog (a cattle-dog cross, by the look of her), but she was not having it. She ran down the edge of the property and slipped out the gap she’d come in. Subsequent attempts to catch her on the street proved equally futile, and she she finally disappeared.
Once she was gone, the chickens settled down quickly. The next couple of times I never could figure out what set them off, but as soon as I investigated and told them all was well, they were just fine.
I’m starting to think of these moments as vignettes from some almost-forgotten movies, where there’s a farm couple in bed and a ruckus outside. “Ma, there’s a fox in the henhouse,” says Pa. “Hand me my shotgun.”
I’ve never seen a fox here, and I figure in most cases — the stray dog aside — a raccoon is the reason for the ruckus. We see those commonly enough, and they’re one of the reasons why the chicken area has heavy-grade wire, even on the top.
No clue what got the girls riled up this morning. I ran outside and looked around, but it wasn’t even a full-fledged panic — the sedate Ameracunas were still asleep in the coop, with Agatha the white Delaware and Charlotte the Plymouth Rock leading the remaining hens in the panic brigade.
“It’s OK girls!” I said brightly, and they continued their clucking as they apparently shared this information, deciding whether or not to believe me. And then, they trooped back to the food container, and that was that.
(Pictured: Charlotte, who shares flock leadership chores with Agatha.)
Maybe the chickens also “alert” to overhead predators such as hawks. They may be a potential threat to unprotected chickens.
Comment by glock — June 28, 2008 @ 10:11 am
I didn’t think about that, but maybe so. After all, the chickens don’t realize the wiring above will protect them from a raptor.
Still, I figure they’re probably getting worked up about the raccoons, which are pretty common along the creek behind my house.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — June 28, 2008 @ 10:15 am
More chicken news: The nearby feedmill is now carrying organic chicken feed! Since I eat the eggs, I’m pretty thrilled about this. Just picked up two 50-pound bags of laying blend, and one of starter blend for neighbor Judy’s youngsters.
I had been feeding Layena, a Purina pellet, and planning a 3-hour round-trip to Modesto to pick up a six month supply of organic feed next week.
Now I get to save the time and gas. The local feed mill was a couple bucks more per 50 pound sack, and well worth it.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — June 28, 2008 @ 10:19 am
Was very astounded to see a red fox in our city park during my early morning walk today. I had to look twice. We’re suburban, but do have some wild areas. You might be surprised at what’s living in the field behind your house!
Comment by C.L.H. — June 28, 2008 @ 2:39 pm
Gina, I can’t begin to tell you how much I enjoy reading your hen tales. I am sorely, sorely tempted to follow your lead, as we live in a rural part of Cape May County, New Jersey, which would seem to lend itself to such pets. No one in my neighborhood keeps chickens, as far as I know, but at least one couple theoretically owns a flock of guineas used for tick control. Our lot is carved out of pine barrens and remains heavily wooded. Naturally enough, we have lots of critters about, and I have witnessed hawk kills in my back yard. How did you go about researching safe chicken husbandry for your area?
Comment by Lisa — June 28, 2008 @ 2:47 pm
Wow…”alert” chickens!
When I had a couple of small dogs years ago, I would let them out in our huge back yard, and a couple of times saw an owl eyeing them.
It looked as though it was deciding as to whether my dogs were small enough for it to attack!
Maybe owls could be the culprits too?
Comment by Marcy — June 28, 2008 @ 3:53 pm
Do you have coyotes in the neighborhood, Gina? Here in densely populated northern Virginia, just west of Washington DC, we’ve got a couple of coyote residents. A couple of weeks ago, I saw one sauntering down the middle of our street at noon, and they’re definitely a presence to be alert for during early-morning walks.
Comment by Susan — June 30, 2008 @ 9:55 am
Oh yeah, lots! Check it out: Coyote photographed by my friend Don about three miles from here.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — June 30, 2008 @ 10:15 am
We also have cougars in the area along the American River Parkway in Sacramento. This is another reason to have the chickens protected from the top by sturdy wire. (And to be alert walking along the various bike and hiking trails in the area!)
Comment by glock — June 30, 2008 @ 12:32 pm
Fortunately, our coyotes like their chicken already on whole wheat, hold the mayo please(last spring in Chicago).
http://cbs2chicago.com/topstor.....36307.html
Comment by 2CatMom — July 1, 2008 @ 10:15 am