C.J.
551 posts
Aug 17, 2006
11:30 AM
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O.K. guys listen to this one. I have in the past had to do away with healthy birds because of the loss oif legs. I have had them lose one or even both legs. Now at first I thought it was our cat and maybe the kids had left the bottom part of the door open. But now we have made sure that all are locked and there aren't any holes put in any where. But this morning I lost another one. Any ideas? Please keep in mind that all holes for entry and exit have been done away but the problem still exists?????????????????????????
C.J.
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Ballrollers
431 posts
Aug 17, 2006
11:47 AM
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CJ.,
I had that happen to a hen, last winter in a pairing pen with a cock. The pairing pen is about 3 ft. high and has a wire floor. A racoon or possum managed to snag her legs somehow and chewed them off right up to the body. The strange thing was that there was hardly a drop of blood anywhere! Otherwise the hen appeared to be just fine. She flopped around with her wings ad ate and drank just fine. I culled her, of course, but sure hated to lose her. I have since wrapped the bottom of the pen in wire so varmints can't get to it. I would venture to say that a varmint has learned a way to get at your birds, and it is not yet obvious to you, just how. Try some traps around the loft! 'Cause they'll be back, guaranteed!
YITS,
Cliff
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nicksiders
794 posts
Aug 17, 2006
12:16 PM
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I had a similar thing happen to me from a kit box. The bottom was 1 inch chicken wire. I put a smaller fabric screen on the bottom and never had a repeat. I never found out what animal did the damage, but it never reoccurred. Pulled the leg right off. Ate it and left the foot right underneath the kit box. Not a good feeling.
Had to be a raccoon; a domestic cat would have ran off with it and not ate it on the spot. Not a good feeling; had some strong emotions surfice. I don't like anything messing with my birds.
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Snicker Rollers
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Heyyou
35 posts
Aug 17, 2006
12:23 PM
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You can have the same thing happen when you fly them. I have a bird, a very nice black, grizzle that lost all of her foot to a hawk. It is just a stump, hence the name stumpy, that she limps around on but rolls like a champ, 30 ft, tight and fast. I may try to see if she can raise young.
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C.J.
553 posts
Aug 17, 2006
2:11 PM
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Hey guys there isn't any mesh or holes I have been over this with a fine tooth comb. I was away for 4 days and when I came back the bird was dead and the legs gone.
C.J.
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nicksiders
795 posts
Aug 17, 2006
2:45 PM
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Well, it can't be a snake.......they can't chew. Too much for a mouse or insects. Rat? But, if there are no holes, no screans......hmmmm.......aliens! Do you live near Roswell, New Mexico? Have you been there? Some aliens have been known to cling to the under carriege of an automobile......better check it out.
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Snicker Rollers
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Santandercol
253 posts
Aug 17, 2006
10:15 PM
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C.J.,
That's bloody HORRIBLE man!!!Hope you have 1/2 inch wire on yer floors.I have some larger holed wire on the walls of my aviaries so every night close the door going into the kitbox as I'm afraid a weasel or something could go through them wires and into the box & raise hell.Having that happen once would be to many times for true.Take a chair an sit an look and imagine any place some rasta nibbler could get in.Isn't Ontario like where weasels originated??Most of the politicians come from there.Or was that Quebec??
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Kelly
Last Edited by Santandercol on Aug 17, 2006 10:16 PM
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nicksiders
797 posts
Aug 17, 2006
11:21 PM
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C J - After reading my post above I find it could be portrayed as a smarta-- reply. I did not mean it as such. I was trying to demonstrate that you do have a "mystery" and it is going to take thinking out of the box to discover what is going on and how it is occurring. I don't know what else you can do differently to solve this.
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Snicker Rollers
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parlorfancier916
140 posts
Aug 17, 2006
11:23 PM
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sounds like a cannibal is in your loft, j/k, my thoughts a mice, they are pretty flexible and I have seen one go through my door at about 1/2 an inch opened....
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RB&R
32 posts
Aug 18, 2006
12:17 AM
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Rat and mice have the ability to access to ur loft, could be. that happen to me before, but i know it's a rat cuz i got him. when i look at my loft it's impossible for them to go through, but they do have the ability to go through..
ANdrew
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Outlaw Vizsla
20 posts
Aug 18, 2006
11:07 AM
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About a week or so ago after moving my breeder loft and Kit boxes out to a friends farm(due to an @$$hole neighbor, another long story!!) I lost 6 birds to a racoon attack. Came out the next morning to find 4 dead(or almost dead) birds with the back half of their bodies just ripped off. And one of my Breeder cocks from Mort Emami and a squeek dead on the floor of the breeder loft, found in the same condition.
Back at my place I didnt need to worry about racoons and with 1/2" x 1" mesh flooring I didnt think I needed to worry. WRONG!! All the birds that got nailed where young birds I had just transfered over to the kit box. They had not figured out the V perches just yet. As for the breeder cock getting nailed, I can't figure that out. Its still a mystery to me why he was on the floor.
I ended up wrapping the bottom half of my breeder & kit box in 1/2" x 1/2" wire mesh...for now this seems to have solved the problem. However I have taken the offensive and leave out 2-3 box traps and a couple of coon cuffs. I can't begin to tell you how many coons, possums, mink, etc that I've "removed" from just around the loft and kit box.
Hopefully I won't have anymore drama and actually start being able to fly these birds and get to see them roll.
Matt
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Santandercol
258 posts
Aug 18, 2006
10:22 PM
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CJ,
Did you figure out what it was yet?Sure curious.
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Kelly
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Santandercol
259 posts
Aug 18, 2006
10:31 PM
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Hey Matt,
Seriously,I think you need to expect some drama,whatever type of animal we're raising.Even my Koy and Goldfish in the ponds outside attract Herons,then the dogs raise hell barking at the heron.Wish the dogs were as effective against the hawks and falcons tho'.They are learning,last night about 6:30saw a coop fly low over the yard and they were chasing it.Birds don't usually get hit if I fly them 20 minutes before sunset.----------
Kelly
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C.J.
555 posts
Aug 19, 2006
7:08 PM
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Sorry I have been busy hunting. Well guys its not looking good. I went over this coop with a fine tooth comb and there isn't a hole that I can see anywhere. I lost 12 last night and 7 the night before even with the live trap in place. I think it must be bringing the entire family for a meal. I have a jack Russell that loves to hunt and I am thinking about putting her in the coop tonight. Tomorrow I plan on getting a couple buddies over and lifting it higher to see under better Wish me luck
C.J.
Last Edited by C.J. on Aug 19, 2006 7:10 PM
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Santandercol
262 posts
Aug 20, 2006
6:56 AM
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CJ,
I feel for you man.Holy Smokes!!!That's terrible.Very painful I'm sure.Wish I could help in some way.Put your Jackie in there.Damn,I hope you get that critter and quick!!Salud a las Palomas.
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Kelly
Last Edited by Santandercol on Aug 20, 2006 7:01 AM
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mammoth hill lofts
9 posts
Aug 21, 2006
10:01 AM
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C.J., Seems like your on the right track by introducing your dog into the mix! Why some guys don't use thier dogs as a deterent mistifies me. Just the scent of your dog will discourage most preditors. I had a friend with two pit bulls that continually had racoons decimate his birds because he refused to let the dogs near the loft,30ft. from the house, even to take a leak. Racoons find a easy target and will bring back thier young to teach them how to kill.
I use an enclosed wood tray under the 1x1 wire that my kit birds walk on. Only the front of the 6" hgt.x 3ft wide tray has 1/2x 1/2 wire for ventilation. All other ventialtion has 1" glued-in plastic soffit ports. I've never lost a bird this way(knock on wood). In the breeder loft I always make sure to have 2 stages of entry before a preditor can get to a bird, also prevents birds flying overhead to the outside. I bet you won't lose any birds with your dog nearby! It will amaze you how small an opening a rodent can go thru, check any water boxes to the outside as well.The flour tracking helps too! Best of luck! Mark
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Heyyou
36 posts
Aug 21, 2006
9:11 PM
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My two dogs have free run around my loft and found out racoons are just as good as a taffy pull. Keeps the dogs in shape, the coons down and fun to watch. Now if I can teach them to fly I will have it made.
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J_Star
570 posts
Aug 22, 2006
5:21 AM
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The holes to the loft don't have to be on the floor or on the bottom of the walls. The hole or holes could be closer to the ceiling. How about the door to the loft!! Does it shut completely? How tight the door stay shut?
Are you birds just loosing their legs or they are being half eaten? Most likely it is a weasel that is doing this stuff. He just needs an opening of about an inch to an inch and a half to be able to get in.
Has it occurred to you that the culprit is stationed inside your loft!! Maybe be he was able to get in when the loft door was open and he stayed in since the source of food is there for him. If that is the case, then I would suggest to you is get all your birds and put them in cardboard boxes with holes in them for breathing for a couple of day inside you house. Set a small trap, which can be purchased from any hunting supply store and bait with a can of tuna. It doesn’t have to be full, just enough to give out the smell. You will get him..if he is stationed inside the loft.
Spray Ammonia around the out side of the loft or leave moth crystals outside the loft. Ammonia and Moth crystals affect the animal sense of smell and they always stay clear of those. That is how we keep raccoons, possums and other unwanted animals from taking refuge under the decks, sheds and other structures around the house. Try it and it will help you.
Jay
Last Edited by J_Star on Aug 22, 2006 6:36 AM
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C.J.
572 posts
Aug 24, 2006
8:01 AM
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Well I went over the loft with a fine tooth comb. Turns out it was originally coming in under the door. If it can get its head in the rest of its body will follow. Still not sure what it was but the carnage has stopped for now. I spoke with guys around here and we think it is either a rat or a weasel. Still no culprit in custody though. Thinking about posting on America's most welcome. I guess there won't be any kits for me this year. All but two are dead. The two left aren't right in the head.
C.J.
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Santandercol
274 posts
Aug 24, 2006
5:17 PM
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CJ,
Sorry to hear that.I think it's probably weasel unless you've got some kinda asian rat there,they are pretty big!Can't see a rat doing that much damage.Leg hold trap is the best thing for weasels.
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Kelly
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C.J.
576 posts
Aug 25, 2006
5:20 AM
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Kelly I agree I think it is a weasel too.
C.J.
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Heyyou
37 posts
Aug 25, 2006
7:57 AM
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I have some extra young birds and still have another round coming off if you would like some to have some flyers, birds free, just cost of shipping, I was raised in the country and bet you have a weasel, they can go through a 1 inch hole, no problem. A small live trap baited with some tuna or other smelly bait will get it. Bill
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C.J.
577 posts
Aug 25, 2006
3:04 PM
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Bill thanks for the offer but unless you are in Canada I don't think that will work. Trying to get them across the border can be really expensive. Unfortuneatelty there aren't many guys raising quality rollers. What ever it is it also raided my breeder loft so I am all but wiped out.
My buddy has abunch of traps we are going to try.
C.J.
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sidro01
1 post
Aug 27, 2006
6:38 AM
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When I was a kid we lived in the country and had all kind off trouble with critters.We raised Rollers in one cote and homers in another.We had aquired 2 Basenji dogs,after about a week we noticed that they had no interest in the pigeons.They would enter the cote with us and never even.Look at the birds.We built a dog pen around the cote at night we put the dogs in it.The thing about Basenjis is that they do not bark,fearless,hunt like a cat,so the cats,coons,etc.did not stand a chance.They became the protectors of the flock.Thank God for Benji and Maggie,they saved us alot of predator lose,
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C.J.
601 posts
Sep 15, 2006
6:24 AM
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Well guys I finally got him. It turns out that it was a bunch of Voles. For those of you that aren't aware of this little beast it looks like a cross between a hampster and a mouse. I ended up catching four of them witrh the assistance of my dog. Not many birds left though. This year is a write off. Thanks for all of the advice.
C.J.
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Velo99
614 posts
Sep 15, 2006
3:06 PM
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CJ
Wow I know they are some vicious little devils,but I didn`t know they would go after pigeons. Nice catch bro.
G/L next season.
v99
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If they don`t kit,they don`t score.
Color don`t roll and peds don`t fly.
It`s a comp thing,understand?
V99
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Bluesman
Pigeon Fancier
799 posts
Sep 17, 2006
6:31 AM
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C.J. I think you may be letting your guard down thinking it was Voles that done the damage to your pigeons.If I am not mistaken Voles are a Seed,Root,Grass eating varmit.I still think you have a Weasel somewhere around. David
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motherlodelofts
898 posts
Sep 17, 2006
8:47 AM
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I'm with Dave , I have them here by the zillions , either that or them are some mean suckers in Canada and I hope those Canadian Voles don't ever cross with these here or I would be fearing for my life LOL
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C.J.
604 posts
Sep 17, 2006
4:11 PM
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I haven't had a problem since. i thought it was a weasel too.
C.J.
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J_Star
595 posts
Sep 18, 2006
6:56 PM
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CJ, when I did a search on google about Voles I found that those vermin are grass eaters. Here is a clip from my search:
'Voles are mostly herbivorous, feeding on a variety of grasses, herbaceous plants, bulbs, and tubers. They eat bark and roots of trees, usually in fall or winter. Voles store seeds and other plant matter in underground chambers.'
The culprit is still out there. I really think its a weasel. Hope you will catch him.
Jay
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Santandercol
301 posts
Sep 18, 2006
9:33 PM
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CJ,
I sure hope you have some traps set for something bigger than a Vole.Even if they were darn socialist commie canadian frenchmen ones I don't think voles could kill pigeons.
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Kelly
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Bluesman
Pigeon Fancier
800 posts
Sep 19, 2006
6:41 AM
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C.J. I guess those Voles just had a taste for feet & legs.LOL. David
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C.J.
613 posts
Sep 19, 2006
8:26 AM
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All I know is I killed six of them i the loft and haven't had a problem since. A weasel woulodn't just chew a leg off and leave. In my experience a weasel wontstop until its victim is dead.
C.J.
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Bluesman
Pigeon Fancier
801 posts
Sep 19, 2006
9:45 AM
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C.J. I think what threw most of us off was you first started out with one bird missing a leg.Then you lost 12 birds one night and 7 the night before.Then it got in your breeders and wiped out most of them.All you had left was 2 that wasn't right in the head.
I thought whatever was doing the damage was killing the birds.I guess we just got off track from your original post.Thanks for sharing your experience.Good to have a heads up. David
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C.J.
617 posts
Sep 19, 2006
2:20 PM
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Blues I can see where I might have confused you. The losses weren't all in one night and not in the same loft.
Things are better though I am settling birds from my family that my mom had
C.J.
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Santandercol
304 posts
Sep 19, 2006
9:24 PM
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Best of luck CJ.Keep at it.
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Kelly
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