10-01-2010, 06:52 PM
Rob- that is so awful!! I can't imagine how horrified I would be if I saw that happen. I thought about trapping them - but I could never kill an animal - even if it is a mongoose. I definitely can understand why you would, just can't do it myself. Guess I'll just have to try to protect them the best I can.
I was wondering how well mongoose could climb. I knew the rats could definitely climb, I just thought mongoose didn't climb as well. Maybe it depends how hungry they are? Do they actually run around near you? The ones around the nursery always run whenever we are near.
Liz - thanks for the info. I suspected the chickens slept up in the trees at night. How long do you think till the chicks will be able to do that? I see them getting their feathers already. How long does it usually take t get fully feathered? Also a couple months?
They have been safe so far in their hutch at night. Do you think the rats would ever try to chew through the chicken wire? Or would they ignore it because momma chicken is there? She sat on her eggs in an open box on the same shelf for three weeks and nothing happened so hopefully that means nothing comes up there to bother her. It's not that high, maybe 4 feet.
I think Kaneohe is about 100'. I think nighttime lows of 70 right now. I read the chickens need to stay 100 degrees the first week, then 5 degrees less a week. If that is correct, they need to stay warm with momma for 7 weeks till their body temperature equals the low night time temps. Guess it is looking like 2 months is when they will be "safe"
I was wondering how well mongoose could climb. I knew the rats could definitely climb, I just thought mongoose didn't climb as well. Maybe it depends how hungry they are? Do they actually run around near you? The ones around the nursery always run whenever we are near.
Liz - thanks for the info. I suspected the chickens slept up in the trees at night. How long do you think till the chicks will be able to do that? I see them getting their feathers already. How long does it usually take t get fully feathered? Also a couple months?
They have been safe so far in their hutch at night. Do you think the rats would ever try to chew through the chicken wire? Or would they ignore it because momma chicken is there? She sat on her eggs in an open box on the same shelf for three weeks and nothing happened so hopefully that means nothing comes up there to bother her. It's not that high, maybe 4 feet.
I think Kaneohe is about 100'. I think nighttime lows of 70 right now. I read the chickens need to stay 100 degrees the first week, then 5 degrees less a week. If that is correct, they need to stay warm with momma for 7 weeks till their body temperature equals the low night time temps. Guess it is looking like 2 months is when they will be "safe"