I've had trouble with predators lately, having lost a few roosters, and I've been monitoring carefully for signs of them lately. This morning when I went out to do my morning feedings and check-ins with the critters, I had a bit of a surprise. What....the heck....is THAT? The box structure was used for housing one of the free ranging roosters to keep it safe from raccoons at night, since it would not roost with the others in the coop. But under the box....there was a fuzzy thing...
I don't usually do videos. Today is an exception.
After that, I went back to the house to find a broom to see if I could encourage my visitor to depart. Apologies for my poor video skills.
Next steps!
Success....somebody needed to be relocated. Not very far....just out of the barn!
Even though it was very little, it was quite intimidating, and I didn't want to mess with the spines. You can see how it likes to hide its head and just display the spiny back end.
But it did have a super cute little face!
I carried the crate around to the front of the house where I could easily access some trees in spite of our heavy snow at the moment.
And we're off!
As soon as I released it, it had a mind about where to go.
Across the driveway...
Eventually, it went up the tree to relax after its adventure.
We have so much snow right now. It's a bit ridiculous. I think the porcupine just got into the sheep and goat area and didn't know how to get out, and was just trying to rest for the day.
I went out to check a little while later and it was still in the tree.
I hope it finds a good place to get some food and rest.
I LOVE this! You are such a good egg helping that little guy get back home. :) Made me smile this morning. Oh...and I love the "helpers" standing at the door to see what is going on.
Just to clarify, I do not think the porcupine is getting the roosters. When I thought it was a raccoon, I was thinking it might be involved. My best guess is that the roosters were taken by a hawk (1 of them) and a fox (2 of them) and one has been injured, possibly by a rat. Not sure if he is going to pull through. And another rooster was just found dead with no identifiable reason. But porcupines are herbivores, so no relation between the predation on my roosters and the barn visitor!
I've only seen one porcupine in the nearly 27 years we've lived here (and that's when there was five acres of fir trees next to us), so I think this is exciting!
Had one get in with our Shetland ram a few years back. Poor ram had quills down the front of his face and forehead. Luckily not near an eye. We were able to get him down and carefully remove them all to his relief.
8 comments:
I LOVE this! You are such a good egg helping that little guy get back home. :) Made me smile this morning. Oh...and I love the "helpers" standing at the door to see what is going on.
What an adventure! Do you think that's what is getting your roosters? I know nothing about them.
Just to clarify, I do not think the porcupine is getting the roosters. When I thought it was a raccoon, I was thinking it might be involved. My best guess is that the roosters were taken by a hawk (1 of them) and a fox (2 of them) and one has been injured, possibly by a rat. Not sure if he is going to pull through. And another rooster was just found dead with no identifiable reason. But porcupines are herbivores, so no relation between the predation on my roosters and the barn visitor!
Aw, thanks for catch and releasing him. Great story!
I've only seen one porcupine in the nearly 27 years we've lived here (and that's when there was five acres of fir trees next to us), so I think this is exciting!
Had one get in with our Shetland ram a few years back. Poor ram had quills down the front of his face and forehead. Luckily not near an eye. We were able to get him down and carefully remove them all to his relief.
I'm glad there are no porcupines here, but it was fun seeing that cute little guy and following your relocating efforts.
Oy. I am so glad this is not what we had under Marigold's barn! The trouble with tribbles!!!
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