10-02-2010, 05:51 AM
Rob ~ That rat wire sounds like a nice improvement for the skirting. It's thicker wire so it'll take longer to rust out, too. I've seen mongoose climb our chainlink fence but never saw them attempt the chicken wire - so far. I hope those super-powered, levitating mongoose don't ever make their way down here! I wonder if a flared metal collar around the legs of the hen house would work to keep them out? (Like they use to keep squirrels out of bird-feeders.) Trapping & killing is the only answer if you can't keep them out. An icky job, for sure.
Emily~ That's correct about the temps required. They can't fly until their real feathers come in - downy feathers help them stay warm but won't support them for flying. They'll huddle under mama hen or a heat lamp until then. About 6-8 weeks about sounds right (from memory; it's been a while since we had chicks).
aloha, Liz
"The best things in life aren't things."
Emily~ That's correct about the temps required. They can't fly until their real feathers come in - downy feathers help them stay warm but won't support them for flying. They'll huddle under mama hen or a heat lamp until then. About 6-8 weeks about sounds right (from memory; it's been a while since we had chicks).
aloha, Liz
"The best things in life aren't things."