I've got chickens on the brain. For good reason...
We've had a rough few nights here on the farm. A wild raccoon has decided that he really likes chicken dinner. But he didn't wait for an invitation, and he didn't say "Mother may I, please". He is most certainly an uninvited guest.
Since he started hangin' around, we've lost a handful of our adult laying hens, a rooster, and Turkey because of him. It has been so frustrating... And if he digs his way into the chicken yard where the young silkies, frizzles, cuckoo marans, and other small birds are, it will be completely devastating.
Last night was the first time we actually saw the raccoon in the barn -- and believe me, he was up to NO GOOD. Until last night, we were just made very aware that he (or something) was causing problems at night - we've been losing birds left and right.
I'll spare you the "details"... but, it's come down to us putting all of the chickens who normally just hang out down at the barn and "free range" during the day, into nighttime lock-down. We've got live-traps in the barn baited with "gross stuff" hoping to lure him into one so we can remove him from the farm. I do NOT want to loose another chicken to the little fish-turd. Life on the farm isn't always glorious. In fact, in situations like this, it's reason enough for tears.
This evening we set up a baby monitor in the barn so we can be in the house and listen for any suspicious activities in the barn. At least the crickets seem happy... but for now, all the live-traps remain empty.
I'm hoppin' mad.
PS: Yes, we really do have a white and black spotted one-legged hen, and yes, her name is I'Lean. *grin* You can see a photo of her HERE and HERE. Tonight, she's safe.
We had one once too...the crazy thing is how I scared him away at 4 in the morning...I went out on the deck (it was midsummer and warm so our windows were open and I heard him) and grunted like a gorilla. Scared the heck out of him and he took off. That was before I got a pellet gun. I love I'Lean. You're a girl with great sense...I had one little girl with a wry back (crooked) and her name was Wriley. She was my best girl and always like to be held. She led the pack when I went outside and they all came running up to me. So dang cute!
Posted by: 2stampis2b | November 20, 2008 at 09:46 PM
I love the pictures of anna wight, am the fan of her. the chickens which is shown here is just very beautiful..
Posted by: cocky-hen | October 15, 2008 at 06:55 AM
I'm so sorry to hear about your chickens. I thoroughly enjoy reading about life on your farm. We live in a semi-rural area and have racoons in our neighborhood. The "critter people" here used marshmallows in the live traps. It might be worth a try. Good luck!
Posted by: Diane M. | September 25, 2008 at 09:31 PM
Oh Anna - that is so frustrating! And what's weird us that just today my DH talked to his cousin who also has a ranch similar to yours not too far from you and she said they were having the same problem - I think she said "chicken dinner take out"! YIKES! I would cry for sure!
Posted by: Jami | September 22, 2008 at 11:18 PM
Uh oh, naughty raccoon! I'm sorry about your chickens. I'Lean is such a beautiful chicken, and you've captured her perfectly here. What a talented girl you are! (Is this a digital image?)
Posted by: Shellied Daniel | September 20, 2008 at 07:26 PM
OH my your poor babies!!! I hope things are ok this morning and you have caught him! That TURD! LOL
HUGS
MichelleO
Posted by: Michelle Oatman | September 20, 2008 at 08:20 AM
You have made me split a gut laughing! I'm sorry about the raccoon, but I'Lean is absolutely hilarious!
Posted by: Sherry Cheever | September 19, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Okay, the picture is super cute, and so is your chicken. I know how much you love your animals, so this is just horrible, I really hope you get him caught or he gives up and moves on.
Posted by: Jessie/knightrone | September 19, 2008 at 07:36 PM
I hope you're chickens will be safe. I actually saw a city raccoon yesterday on the way to work - it tried to do the freeze thing when it spotted me. I forget they live in the country too. Well, I hope you catch the little 'fish turd'. Keeping my fingers crossed for you, your chickens and for I-lean too!
Posted by: Sonya | September 19, 2008 at 03:05 PM
That's so sad. I guess I always feel like farm life is perfect but guess there is another side to it. Keep them safe!!
Posted by: Viv (VivLyn) | September 19, 2008 at 02:48 PM
I'Lean! I love her!!! Bwahahaha!
Posted by: Novell | September 19, 2008 at 10:27 AM
OMG!! That's terrible!! Someone needs to inform this uninvited intruder that the farm is NOT a chicken diner!! I hope you can catch it SOON!! I'Lean is quite adorable by the way :).
Posted by: Dotty | September 19, 2008 at 09:39 AM
Who knew there was another use for the baby monitor. Great idea, whoever thought of it! Good luck with the chickens. I'Lean is adorable.
Posted by: Chris Mott | September 19, 2008 at 09:24 AM
Great success Anna!
Posted by: Chris Mott | September 19, 2008 at 09:16 AM
~**I Love I'Lean!**~
She made me think of my childhood neighbour's canary called
"Ol' Uncle One-Leg". The best part was that one day "He" laid an egg and became "Ol' Auntie One-Leg".
Go get that "fish-turd" roadkill!
Posted by: Lara's Laugh Lines | September 19, 2008 at 08:58 AM
I was thinking about my four fur babies on the way in to work this morning and thinking I needed to live out in the country so I could have more animals. I am so sorry for your loss. It can be so devastating all the way around. I hope you catch both the raccoon and the skunk soon. BTW, I'Lean is adorable. Her markings are really pretty.
Posted by: Sandy Hill | September 19, 2008 at 08:26 AM
i have been there we lost 3o of our breeders last year to skunk we breed here on the farm and to lose so many hens was and peacocks was so terrible for the small hatchery we run hang in there and get it it really sucks to lose so many of your chicken friends
Posted by: michelle gall | September 19, 2008 at 08:11 AM
Yeah, not the fun part of life...
But I'lean is adorable, in real life and animated! Good luck getting that raccoon...I'd hate for you to lose anymore birds.
Posted by: Danielle | September 19, 2008 at 07:17 AM
Scary! And, I don't even have to imagine those striped beasts. Racoons are cute on TV, but in real life, they aren't afraid of people - at least our city coons - and that makes them dangerous. My garage door got stuck open one night, and while my brother ran out for supplies to fix it, I had to stay and guard the garage full of valuables. When the sun went down, racoons started appearing in the alley walking toward me. At first I tried to strike an ominous pose and 'hiss' at them, but that didn't drive them away for long and I started looking for things to climb up on. Luckily my brother got back before I had to fight them off. Good luck with catching them, Anna! I can't stand to think of what they've already done to your dear chickens :(
Posted by: Cheryl R | September 19, 2008 at 06:39 AM
Go mama hen, go! Get that raccoon!! I know I wouldn't be able to sleep either until I got that varmint and made it safe for all the chickens. Great idea to use a baby monitor :)
Posted by: Cindy H. | September 19, 2008 at 06:36 AM
I feel for you, I really do. When I lived in northern California I had to call the county trapper to help with a similar problem. I never knew there were so many critters roaming the place at night! It was interesting to check the cages in the morning and discover who/what had been caught prowling and feasting.
Posted by: Sher | September 19, 2008 at 05:17 AM
Oh that makes me so mad. I had an old chubby diabetic cat show up on my doorstep one day. I had to give her insulin shots and I let her sleep in the garage, so I cracked the door a bit each night. One night I woke up to hear glass smashing in the garage. I ran out there (looking back it was dumb, but my husband is a sound sleeper) and I see my poor kitty cowering and COONS EVERYWHERE!! One of them, about a 30 pounder was up on a high shelf, THROWING glass jars onto the garage floor. I looked up and he looked me right in the eye and threw the one he was holding onto the floor! One was hissing at my scared cat. They weren't even scared of me. I had to chase them out with a broom and they were in no hurry. I hope you get them and dispose of them and I hope your beautiful chickens are safe. Your card is gorgeous, by the way.
Posted by: Lydia | September 19, 2008 at 05:05 AM
Sorry about the fish-turd (hehe, that name cracked me up). Hope you get him so your birds are safe.
...and the name you have for I'Lean is just too cute (hehe, cracked me up again)
Posted by: denise (peanutbee) | September 19, 2008 at 04:24 AM
I hope the chickens are all safe this morning. Racoons are a pain. Best of luck to you. I'Lean is adorable BTW. The name almost made me spew my coffee. LOL. -Molly B
Posted by: Molly B | September 19, 2008 at 04:19 AM
OMG how horrible! thanks for sparing the details (i read this over my breakfast)
get the little *turd* and protect those precious birds. lovin I'lean. adorable.
who knew baby moniters were so multi-taskable?!
have a safe weekend
jan
Posted by: janice | September 19, 2008 at 03:38 AM
Go get him!!! Those poor little chickens!!! Time for him to get a one way ticket out of town!!!
Posted by: Lauri | September 19, 2008 at 12:13 AM