Last year about this time I received a gift certificate to celebrate my 10 year reunion with the company that I work for. The gift certificate has been sitting on my desk, just waiting for me to decide how to use it. The decision has been made!
Last week I ordered myself a digital trail/game camera from Cabella's. They have several to choose from, and not being an "expert" on trail/game cameras I relied heavily on customer reviews posted on the Cabella's website.
I chose to purchase the Leaf River Model iR-7SS. I'm still not sure if it's the "best" option out there, but I liked it's features, and it was affordable, so it's the one I chose.
I haven't been able to figure out how to set the date/time yet, but I'm sure it's possible... the instruction manual isn't exactly accurate for this feature. I'll keep trying though!
Usually trail/game cameras are used by hunters to scout hunting spots. The cameras are motion activated and take photos (some even video) when motion is detected in range of the camera. This gives hunters a better idea of what is in the area, and allows them to determine the prime hunting locations. However, I
have a completely different use in mind! I want to see what's prowling
around the farm at night!
We set the camera up near the back corner of the chicken coop, near a brooder I have sitting outside of the chicken yard. The first night the camera was set up we had a big storm. The camera took photos, but mostly of tree branches being blown in front of the lens. Last night we didn't have a storm and the camera worked great!
(Click on the photos for a larger view...)
Here you can see the stubborn hens that insist on sleeping on the brooder I have inside the chicken yard. Why they don't sleep in the coop is beyond me. There is one hen inside that brooder, being "introduced" to the flock. You can also see in the lower left corner of the photo, one corner of the roof of another brooder I have outside of the chicken yard. We move this brooder around as we need to. Sometimes it houses chickens that need some extra TLC, and sometimes it houses chicks. Most of the time, it's empty.
Just as I suspected... the reason we have the chicken house and yard built the way we do presented itself on top of that brooder.
I know this raccoon is looking over at my chickens who are resting peacefully on the brooder, wishing it could have chicken for dinner.
Raccoon: "I see chicken dumplings, chicken nuggets, chicken pot pie, eggs over easy... "
Farmer: "I see safe, happy chickens, ready to enjoy their next happy chicken day."
At night , and in very low light settings, the camera takes black/white photos.
As soon as there is enough light, the camera switches to daylight color photos.
Alan and I have built the chicken yard quite securely. ...but I will be moving the brooder that is currently outside the yard, to inside the yard. There are 6 baby chicks in that brooder right now!
Wonder what I'll catch on film tonight!
