The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: aaronsundin on November 04, 2012, 10:34:43 am
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Morning everyone ,
yesterday we lost our beautiful lavender araucana ( angel ) to yet another stoat attack ,two others had bee grabbed but managed to escape but remain very scared . This is the second chook in two weeks the stoat has killed . Not eaten , this blighter seems just to do it for sport . We made a decision to move the remaining flock into the outbuilding for the winter , we did this two years ago when knee deep in snow ( north east scotland ) . I had visions of the stoat picking off the birds one by one. They have plenty of room as the outbuilding was a former stable block . I am hoping now that the food source outside has been removed the stoat may eventually clear off . Any suggestions as to what extra to feed the chooks now they're inside and not free ranging . I have only been giving them mixed corn and layers pellets , just to prevent them from loosing too much condition . Many thanks for reading - I hate stoats ! :(
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Poor you, stoats are definitely one of the trickiest predators to stop. What a nightmare. We had a youngster that took out some of our growers post harvest. Just so damn quick.
Feed wise, I'd personally get them off the corn as they will not need a warmth boost now indoors. I'd be more tempted to introduce some greens in, very gradually - or else they get the runs! Corn as a treat, toward the end of the day.