bonbean01
Herd Master
Oh no!!!! So sorry Em 
ELeVan ~ Honaker Farm Journal
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bonbean01
Herd Master
Oh no!!!! So sorry Em
bonbean01
Herd Master
oops...not sure how that posted double...but you get and extra hug 
Can't figure out what kind of predator would that?
Can't figure out what kind of predator would that?
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elevan
Critter Addict ♥
Thanks. We know that we have a very large coon around. But what gets me is that we're talking broad daylight and just on the other side of that fence where it happened is one of our dogs who loves the animals and doesn't like strange critters around. It always seems to be the ones that you grow attached to though; the ones that break your heart when they die such a horrid death.
No way around it, we're gonna have to get a second guardian animal. I'm tempted to test Barney (the dog I just referred to) to see how he does in the field with supervision and see if we can train him to the job. Until we fixed the problem in the fence he used to slip under the fence by his area and cuddle with the goats, so I know he loves them. It would have to wait until the steer is gone as he doesn't like dogs one bit...too bad he weren't so aggressive toward other predators.
No way around it, we're gonna have to get a second guardian animal. I'm tempted to test Barney (the dog I just referred to) to see how he does in the field with supervision and see if we can train him to the job. Until we fixed the problem in the fence he used to slip under the fence by his area and cuddle with the goats, so I know he loves them. It would have to wait until the steer is gone as he doesn't like dogs one bit...too bad he weren't so aggressive toward other predators.
bonbean01
Herd Master
I googled this and the back of the skull missing and brains sounds like weasels, ferrets, skunk or eagle. Here this fall we are seeing quite a few skunks. Don't know what got your sweet hen, but it seems each predator has its own choice of what they take.
On our farm when I was a kid, when we had dead chickens intact but no blood, it would be weasels. Puncture marks on the neck, bloodless but no other damage.
I'd guess skunk given it is fall? Our sheep were recently freaked out by a skunk in their pen...it left and never sprayed. Next morning it reaked outside...skunk dead on the road by our mailbox. So, even if you don't smell skunk, it is still possible?
On our farm when I was a kid, when we had dead chickens intact but no blood, it would be weasels. Puncture marks on the neck, bloodless but no other damage.
I'd guess skunk given it is fall? Our sheep were recently freaked out by a skunk in their pen...it left and never sprayed. Next morning it reaked outside...skunk dead on the road by our mailbox. So, even if you don't smell skunk, it is still possible?
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- #3,546
elevan
Critter Addict ♥
Yeah, we've seen a few skunks around. And we've had mink attacks the past 2 Falls in October...both of those just before daylight though. We have bald eagles in Ohio, but I've never seen one flying wild around here.
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- #3,547
elevan
Critter Addict ♥
I need a do over day.
Woke up this morning to B wanting to fight everything. Didn't want to go potty, didn't want to get dressed, no socks, no shoes, no breakfast. Didn't want to go to the bus. I had to drag him out and carry him on again.
Then I came in and put my barn boots on and went out to let the chickens out. As I was letting them out I caught sight of Maggie (goat) as she slipped out of the fence to her field. So now I know where and how she keeps getting out and it's not over as I had thought. DH and I will have to fix that weak spot tomorrow morning.
Came in and took care of Boingo. Started getting a headache so I laid down.
Woke up to one of the dogs outside barking like mad. Went to the door to tell him to shut up and I was staring at our steer right outside the front door.
I then proceeded to try to chase him into the backyard. He decided to head the opposite direction. Round and round the garage we went...5 times. By the fifth time I was struggling to keep up and came around the corner to see him on his front knees with his head behind a doghouse and his butt clear up in the air "hiding" from me. If I wasn't so darn mad I would have died laughing. I gave him a swat on the behind and we were off again. He started to head the direction that I wanted and then took a turn running for the neighbor's yard. So I had to chase him back and when he got by the house he decided he need to "hide" again. He ran into the bushes and was peeking out at me like "can you see me?". I yelled and I cursed at him and yelled some more. Finally I decided to play his game and hide behind a tree myself. I was peering out and could see him doing the same. If I wasn't mad enough to go get the shotgun it would have been funny. Finally he decided that I couldn't see him and he eased out of the bushes. I came out from hiding and finally was able to chase him into the backyard. And there he is with a lead trailing him so that if he tries to run it trips him up and hopefully he won't be able to jump the fence. 13 days to go.
Here's a pic of him hiding in the bushes:
Woke up this morning to B wanting to fight everything. Didn't want to go potty, didn't want to get dressed, no socks, no shoes, no breakfast. Didn't want to go to the bus. I had to drag him out and carry him on again.
Then I came in and put my barn boots on and went out to let the chickens out. As I was letting them out I caught sight of Maggie (goat) as she slipped out of the fence to her field. So now I know where and how she keeps getting out and it's not over as I had thought. DH and I will have to fix that weak spot tomorrow morning.
Came in and took care of Boingo. Started getting a headache so I laid down.
Woke up to one of the dogs outside barking like mad. Went to the door to tell him to shut up and I was staring at our steer right outside the front door.
I then proceeded to try to chase him into the backyard. He decided to head the opposite direction. Round and round the garage we went...5 times. By the fifth time I was struggling to keep up and came around the corner to see him on his front knees with his head behind a doghouse and his butt clear up in the air "hiding" from me. If I wasn't so darn mad I would have died laughing. I gave him a swat on the behind and we were off again. He started to head the direction that I wanted and then took a turn running for the neighbor's yard. So I had to chase him back and when he got by the house he decided he need to "hide" again. He ran into the bushes and was peeking out at me like "can you see me?". I yelled and I cursed at him and yelled some more. Finally I decided to play his game and hide behind a tree myself. I was peering out and could see him doing the same. If I wasn't mad enough to go get the shotgun it would have been funny. Finally he decided that I couldn't see him and he eased out of the bushes. I came out from hiding and finally was able to chase him into the backyard. And there he is with a lead trailing him so that if he tries to run it trips him up and hopefully he won't be able to jump the fence. 13 days to go.
Here's a pic of him hiding in the bushes:
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- #3,548
elevan
Critter Addict ♥
I.have.had.it! That steer is now tied to a tree with a 50 foot long industrial strength rope.
Pearce Pastures
Barn Babe
I know this is probably not too funny right now for you but thank you so much for entertaining us with your ridiculous steer. I needed a good giggle. 
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- #3,550
elevan
Critter Addict ♥
I believe in reincarnation...and I believe that darn steer was a real jokester in one of his previous lives.
Monday he was lucky that I didn't grab the shotgun and a chainsaw and deal with him myself. DH came home that night having had a rough day at work and started telling me about it..."can you tell me why with 4 people working..." and I knew he needed an interruption, so I broke in and said "Can you tell me why I spent an hour earlier playing hide and seek with that darn steer!?" I thought he was gonna die laughing as he choked out "how do you play hide and seek with something that big?!"
Yeah, it's funny. It's downright hilarious. I'm ready to eat a raw T-Bone steak just for spite. I don't think I've ever anticipated a steak this much but I'm gonna savor every morsel.
Monday he was lucky that I didn't grab the shotgun and a chainsaw and deal with him myself. DH came home that night having had a rough day at work and started telling me about it..."can you tell me why with 4 people working..." and I knew he needed an interruption, so I broke in and said "Can you tell me why I spent an hour earlier playing hide and seek with that darn steer!?" I thought he was gonna die laughing as he choked out "how do you play hide and seek with something that big?!"
Yeah, it's funny. It's downright hilarious. I'm ready to eat a raw T-Bone steak just for spite. I don't think I've ever anticipated a steak this much but I'm gonna savor every morsel.
