Posted by Doug on October 9, 2011, 4:49 am
I am new to this but is it normal? Up until now they were virtually eating
out of my hand but now rush for cover when they see me, even at feeding
time. I have reduced their feed to see if their behaviour is caused by a
lack of hunger but still no result. Is it the time of year perhaps or has
some predator frightened them?
Doug.
Posted by 'Mike' on October 9, 2011, 5:01 am
>I am new to this but is it normal? Up until now they were virtually eating
> out of my hand but now rush for cover when they see me, even at feeding
> time. I have reduced their feed to see if their behaviour is caused by a
> lack of hunger but still no result. Is it the time of year perhaps or has
> some predator frightened them?
> Doug.
They have been frightened by something. Heron?
Mike
--
...................................
Don't take life too seriously, you'll never get out alive.
...................................
Posted by Sacha on October 9, 2011, 5:39 am
> I am new to this but is it normal? Up until now they were virtually eating
> out of my hand but now rush for cover when they see me, even at feeding
> time. I have reduced their feed to see if their behaviour is caused by a
> lack of hunger but still no result. Is it the time of year perhaps or has
> some predator frightened them?
>
> Doug.
Probably a heron. We get one visiting our ponds from time to time and
after it's been here the fish hide for a day or two. After they come
out of hiding, they tend to rush for cover if a shadow falls over the
pond. If you approach them with your shadow falling behind you and not
across the water, they will be less easily startled. But
self-preservation isn't a bad idea for a wild creature!
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
Posted by Bob Hobden on October 9, 2011, 7:03 am
"Doug" wrote
>I am new to this but is it normal? Up until now they were virtually eating
>out of my hand but now rush for cover when they see me, even at feeding
>time. I have reduced their feed to see if their behaviour is caused by a
>lack of hunger but still no result. Is it the time of year perhaps or has
>some predator frightened them?
Certainly something has/is frightening them. I trust they have somewhere to
hide at the bottom of the pond like a decent sized clay flowerpot on it's
side?
You should be reducing feed this time of year as the water temperature
reduces anyway, and stop altogether once the temperature gets below 50°F.
--
Regards Bob Hobden
Posting to this Newsgroup from the W. of London UK
Posted by Sacha on October 9, 2011, 7:10 am
> "Doug" wrote
>>
>> I am new to this but is it normal? Up until now they were virtually eating
>> out of my hand but now rush for cover when they see me, even at feeding
>> time. I have reduced their feed to see if their behaviour is caused by a
>> lack of hunger but still no result. Is it the time of year perhaps or has
>> some predator frightened them?
>>
>>
> Certainly something has/is frightening them. I trust they have
> somewhere to hide at the bottom of the pond like a decent sized clay
> flowerpot on it's side?
> You should be reducing feed this time of year as the water temperature
> reduces anyway, and stop altogether once the temperature gets below
> 50°F.
We've certainly noticed with ours that the feeding frenzy has reduced
considerably. They're still coming to the edge of the pond, waiting to
be fed but the actual taking of the food isn't as manic as in warmer
months. Just as well, they eat us out of house and home!
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
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> out of my hand but now rush for cover when they see me, even at feeding
> time. I have reduced their feed to see if their behaviour is caused by a
> lack of hunger but still no result. Is it the time of year perhaps or has
> some predator frightened them?
> Doug.