The Poultry Keeper

Hen-Gen · Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 9:23 am Post subject: The Scottish Islands

I've noticed that there are a few folk here from the Outer Hebrides and Shetland. In three years I move permanantly to my house on Fetlar (Shetland). Are there any serious threats to my hens eg gulls, bonxies, otters etc.? Any advice?

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7144 Location: isle of lewis

pests we have are
mink ,gulls ,crows, sea eagles and golden eagles
a friend had some ducklings taken by seals
no foxes although there are rumours of some
and yep otters although they seen to prefer eggs
saying that i have nime freeranging after they are big enough not to be taken by gulls and haven't lost one to a pest
(touch wood )
that's on the isle of lewis Very Happy

mojo · Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 3:49 pm Post subject:

biggest problem is probably tourists........best of luck with your move

Hen-Gen · Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 4:29 pm Post subject:

Mojo, I must send you my recipe for Daytripper en Croute!

mojo · Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 4:30 pm Post subject:

merci madame

Hen-Gen · Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:49 am Post subject:

Thanks for that, milkmaid. Seems like predators are not so much of a problem then in the remote corners. Cant wait to enjoy a fox-free environment.

Loudmouth Schnook · Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 5:26 pm Post subject:

Don't forget the Border Collie. I thought only my dog was a poultry killer, but apparently it can be a problem with so many of them around for the sheep. Sad

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7144 Location: isle of lewis

yep it's the herding instict ,which is a modified hunt
the hunt leader is ment to do the cull of the animals that's why one of the hardest things to teach a collie is the drive away when the dogs insticts are telling it to drive the prey to the leader to kill (shepard ) when there is no strong herd leader or they are not there the dog will herd and finish the job itself
north is training to herd ,he's got the gather and the drive towards but the drive away he's having trouble with Rolling Eyes

he is never allowed out by himself ,he is breed from strong working lines and it wouldn't be fair if anything happened it would be my fault not the dogs ,pax is different layed back with chickens never even notices them Rolling Eyes

,this only really aplies to some collies not all
meg the farm collie at nonies work is either in a kennel or under close control ,she's a great dog one i'd take home in a second
again working breed collie ,so yes the sheep dogs can be a problem,it only happens with some collies and they tend to be the best working dogs

debcat · Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 5:48 pm Post subject:

my 2 dogs (collie and collie x) only go out on their own first and last thing, I go out with them in the day, or they are tied up.
Neither of them have a clue what to do with a sheep but they've both been seen trying to round up the hens and ducks.
the first thing I taught them both was 'leave it'

jaydee67 · Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 10:15 pm Post subject:

Polecats can decimate a flock too - not had any predator probs here (touch wood) although we still haven't found any sign of our missing duckling! Feel free to visit when next you are up - you will drive past my house on your way to Fetlar! Wink

Hen-Gen · Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 1:25 am Post subject:

Thanks y'all. Much insight. Seems to me that The Wind-Dog Cafe should be the meeting place for a nascent Shetland Poultry Club.

jaydee67 · Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 8:35 am Post subject:

Ooh - Chili hot chocolate!

mojo · Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 9:32 am Post subject:

do what? explain that PLEASE

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

Don't worry mojo, they're weird up there Wink

CP · Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 9:36 am Post subject:

Wasn't it the Mexicans who first mixed chilli & chocolate? Confused