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Well it started up again, something has killed 4 animals in 2 weeks

post #1 of 11
7/8/12 at 8:43am
Thread Starter 

Something grabbed a rabbit through the pen wire and killed it so I took her mate out and put it in the coop. After a week with no more problems I put the ducks and a silkie in the pen so they could get some more leg room.  Yesterday a duck was missing, it was a mallard so I chalked it up to it flying away. Then today my silkie was missing and I found my other duck's head. 

 

I'm almost ready to get rid of all of my birds because of the pest problem. I'm so upset, last year I trapped and disposed of 5 raccoons and 6 possums. I don't want to do that again this year. 

www.youtube.com/stoneschickens

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hatch-cam-2012


Keeping tabs on my five favorite birds and favorite bunnies.

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www.youtube.com/stoneschickens

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hatch-cam-2012


Keeping tabs on my five favorite birds and favorite bunnies.

Reply

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post #2 of 11
7/8/12 at 9:21am
You cannot possibly remove all predators...as you see, more come later. The key is to prevent then from getting your animals. Use hardward cloth to prevent pull throughs and there are lots of threads on here that tell how to best predator-proof your animals. Put a discription or a picture of your set up and we can help you figure out what to do to make them safer.
sharon
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post #3 of 11
7/8/12 at 7:55pm
Thread Starter 

I can't afford to re do everything with hard wire cloth, it will honestly be cheaper to rehome them.

www.youtube.com/stoneschickens

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hatch-cam-2012


Keeping tabs on my five favorite birds and favorite bunnies.

Reply

www.youtube.com/stoneschickens

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hatch-cam-2012


Keeping tabs on my five favorite birds and favorite bunnies.

Reply
post #4 of 11
7/8/12 at 7:59pm

where are you from in ohio

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post #5 of 11
7/8/12 at 7:59pm

What about running a couple strands of hot wire around your coop/run?  Electric poultry netting?  It just depends on how you are set up whether or not those things will work for you but I've found hot wire to be most effective at keeping nasty critter's off my coop/run. 

wife to long suffering husband who has built more miles of fence, barns, coops and enclosures then one man should have to, two teenage boys, current flock of 13 assorted hens and 1 big red roo, 2 goats, 2 dogs, 4 cats, 2 bunnies and 1 cockatiel. 

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wife to long suffering husband who has built more miles of fence, barns, coops and enclosures then one man should have to, two teenage boys, current flock of 13 assorted hens and 1 big red roo, 2 goats, 2 dogs, 4 cats, 2 bunnies and 1 cockatiel. 

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post #6 of 11
7/9/12 at 4:07am
Thread Starter 

Columbus

www.youtube.com/stoneschickens

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hatch-cam-2012


Keeping tabs on my five favorite birds and favorite bunnies.

Reply

www.youtube.com/stoneschickens

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hatch-cam-2012


Keeping tabs on my five favorite birds and favorite bunnies.

Reply
post #7 of 11
7/9/12 at 5:25am

It is a never ending battle. I keep traps set 24/7. I also have an electric fence wire about 4 or 5 in off the ground. old.gif

 

"Never argue with a fool; onlookers may not be able to tell the difference." Mark Twain

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"Never argue with a fool; onlookers may not be able to tell the difference." Mark Twain

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post #8 of 11
7/9/12 at 5:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by stone_family3 View Post

...it will honestly be cheaper to rehome them.

 

It would be cheaper to let the varmints "win" by letting them finish eating your stock.

 

Or you can get control over your emotional give up mentality and declare WAR on those VARMINTS!

Disclaimer:  I have not slept in any hotel recently nor am I a certified web lawyer.  Opinions expressed are by a cowpoke who believes the year is 1868.
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Disclaimer:  I have not slept in any hotel recently nor am I a certified web lawyer.  Opinions expressed are by a cowpoke who believes the year is 1868.
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post #9 of 11
7/9/12 at 6:41am

I would kill the predators first. One thing I noticed being on BYC is that  few people break even let alone make a profit when it comes to having chickens.Most of us are in the red.A lot before we even get the chickens thanks to coop building,lol.Me, I just have an old metal shed with a concrete block in front of the door.

 

 I have yet to lose to a predator.1 died and one sick hen I killed. I have caught many possums and coons(over 50 total) that MIGHT have gotten to my birds. I can not imagine the pain of finding your animals dead or missing. I would not give up.There is such a pleasure at having some of these animals..rabbits,ducks,chickens,and so on. I would not want to give that up  for those that want to eat them. Best wishes whatever you decide.

2013 Captures-4 coons, 1 possum, 1 groundhog.
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2013 Captures-4 coons, 1 possum, 1 groundhog.
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post #10 of 11
7/9/12 at 6:43am

Hot wire !! Three inches off the ground & then around 18 inches off the ground . Sure its not free but its cheaper than hardware cloth & your animals should be safe. I've had it around one of my coops for about three years .New pic Of hoop's coop 001.JPG

I'm out of eggs. But I know where some brown ones are. I now raise big Ol' Honkin' Bob Whites & Layed back Coturnix. Pray For Rain In Texas!

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I'm out of eggs. But I know where some brown ones are. I now raise big Ol' Honkin' Bob Whites & Layed back Coturnix. Pray For Rain In Texas!

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BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Raising BackYard Chickens › Predators and Pests › Well it started up again, something has killed 4 animals in 2 weeks