[jen judkins]

Yeah, I thought it sounded like a racoon…but we have never had one threaten our coop before. Bizarre year this one has been. Almost wish for the fox to return….at least she took a bird only occasionally….not a mass murderer!

[jen judkins]

Here is a new one….

I woke to the noise of a single screeching bird. Ran out to find a dead juvenile bird on the inside of the chicken wire coop, partially eaten, with blood on the outside of the coop. Head and innards gone. Obviously it was an animal that is dexterous enough to grab a sleeping youth near the fence. This happened again about an hour later. I put the last remains in a hav-a-hart, but I think it was close to dawn, so its empty at this point. Will try again tonight. Weasel? Raccoon?

[jen judkins]

Here is the link to the WMUR Chronicle Piece. http://www.wmur.com/new-hampshire-chronicle/Monday-June-11th-an-old-fashioned-wood-bee/-/13383450/14855572/-/pukg69/-/index.html

[jen judkins]

My understanding, Jay is that the November MOFGA event is no longer taking on student teams, per se. It took a lot of time to assess them and this takes away from the general curriculum. That said, I am quite sure you and your team could add a lot of valuable experience and would make a great addition to the teaching staff. My suggestion would be to contact Andy and talk to him about how you would like to participate. Its a fun and inspiring event. I look forward to it every year.

[jen judkins]

That’s awesome, Jay! We did a couple of parades last year as well and I know that feeling….in a place where something SHOULD go wrong and it DOESN’T….makes you very proud of your team!

[jen judkins]

@Robert MoonShadow 35311 wrote:

Dogs colliding, me demonstrating my here-to-fore unknown ability to break-dance; the guys in the drift boats after salmon must’ve really wondered what the h*** was going on!

HAHAHAHA! What a visual!

[jen judkins]

So an update on Daisy, our new Pyranees. She is a wonderful dog. Except for a momentary lapse (really my fault in regard to fencing) when she killed a juvenile bird two days ago, she is just a really nice dog. She has been staying in a section of the goat/chicken shed where she can interact with both species on a limited basis. The first night she complained (having come from an indoor rescue situation), but since then has really come to love her place there and has not uttered a single bark. She has a crate with a cover, she can go in and out of at liberty and a 10 x 12 space to roam. She has figured out how to squeeze through the chicken door and likes to sleep in the coop with the big birds at night. She shows no interest in molesting any full size birds, so I think this is fine. I have her out with me twice a day doing chores and interacting with my other dogs as well as visitors on the farm. She has been well behaved with both. My goal is to acclimate her to the goats more so she can be turned out with them…and have a bigger space. She is good about sticking around and has so far not exhibited any propensity for wandering. I will continue to expand her space around the barn as her size and confidence allow. This is a fun project!

[jen judkins]

LOL, Robert..true story?

Andy. My young Pyr got into my juvenile pen just two days ago and killed a young bird. It was clear when we found her chewing on the bird like a chew toy, that she was just playing. That said, we have been supervising her interaction with the birds more closely. She does not seem interested in killing anyone, just in playing. I think it is a phase and believe she will learn to ‘ignore’ the birds over time. But, I, like you will be vigilant about her behavior around them.

[jen judkins]

Lets leave it for the 10th everyone. I don’t want to confuse anyone.

[jen judkins]

My Tivo says it starts at 7:00:)

@highway 35261 wrote:

NH Chronicle e-mailed and said the piece on the Wood Bee will be airing on Monday June 11th @ 7:30pm for those that are interested.

ED

[jen judkins]

June 10th is difficult for me as well. I will be away on vacation. I can make the call work, but wonder if pushing the meeting out a week to the 17th would be something to consider? Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

Meet Daisy Duke. She helped me weed the gardens yesterday…first day on the farm. She appears to have the perfect little personality, but by the look at those paws will be a giant soon!

[jen judkins]

I look forward to hearing what that menace is, Andy.

We had an interesting visitor yesterday. Cam home to find the coop ransacked….every bit of grain eaten, water knocked over, but no dead birds. Counted up all the juveniles and they are present and accounted for. My dogs cannot get into the coop due to invisible fencing. Black bear?? My first thought was a dog, but we really have very few dogs in the neighborhood except our own.

[jen judkins]

Donn, to be honest, I do not understand how the blog is meant to work. I, like you, don’t see any reason to have a separate form of communication. In addition, my options as web master, in regard to editing the blog area is limited to deleting inappropriate blog posts. I can’t move the post, like I can in other threads. Its annoying.

You can, however comment on the blog post or the owner of the blog post could delete it and re-submit his/her comments in the horse training section.

[jen judkins]

@Countymouse 35122 wrote:

I am not sure how well hawks learn such things, but perhaps this outcome saves other chickens in the future.

I’m sure they have the ability to understand a bad experience, when they have one…hopefully.

[Author]

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