speaking of cougar/mountain lion/ wildcat whatever they are called, we are told they only exist in our Upper Peninsula of MI and then only travel through the area for a short time. I guess there is even a web page set up to show confirmed sightings although it must not be kept up to date?
https://www.clickondetroit.com/news...-cougar-sighting-in-michigan-since-2019/This past week there was very clear trailcam evidence of a very real (and very large) mountain lion is a town called Howard City which is on the northern outskirts of suburban GR (34 min from the center of town) Michigan has hundreds maybe thousands of black bear. I guess we have to get used to co-existing.
I found out the hard way that my to do list that included stringing fishing line above the small narrow outdoor run for our chickens should have put that task at the top of the list. LAst week after hearing a rooster distress call for like 10 min straight I found a large Redtail Hawk standing on the ground in the run next to what appeared to be a very dead chicken. I scared him up to the nearest branch and he was quite determined to hop from branch to branch but stay close to the coop so he could finish his meal. I turned back around and the chicken was up on one leg hopping very slowly but with damage to one eye and a hole in his neck and behind one leg. I think he was really struggling and I feel badly for not dropping everything and running over to investigate sooner.
I guess the hawks need to eat too. My young daughter who sees these chickens like her 'babies' put the chicken in the hospital (a tote in our basement and has been trying to give food, water and keep her warm) She looks ready to give up. Bloat is set in, stool is green, not eating/drinking. Probably won't make it. I may have to sneak out after hours and leave the chicken out in the woods for the hawk or coyotes again.
We ended up putting up that fishing line pronto to prohibit any aerial predators.
But you can see where a mountain lion could bound over fences and make quick work of any pets or livestock.
