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[Duck/GooseCRAZY]

I WANT TO JOIN!!! we built a 25 x 25 chain linked fence and inside we keep geese, ducks and chickens. We have had this fence for almost a year now with NO PROBLEMS, until now. Before the pen we lost a lot to coyotes. But, tuesday we lost a hen. Then last night, my sons pet rooster (Pretty Boy) that he raised himself and another one of my hens. Something either climbed to 6 foot fence or a mink went through it. Left everything but the head. Looks like it tried to drag the rooster because he was all the way up on the fence. Tonight lost a 6 wk old silky and a duckling (my very first hatch)

We also put up an electric fence this evening but, the pen they got was on top of another pen. So, something crawled through the wire or stuck its arms in and drug it out!!! I set a trap tonite after that and will have more tomorrow. I am determined to figure out what it is. I am NOT stopping til its DEAD. I might feel a little bad for the piece of crap if it where winter time. But, there is SO much to eat around here.....why my babies.????? because they are easy targets is why. When I catch whatever it is I AM GONNA LITE IT UP LIKE THE FOURTH OF JULY!!

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

It's posts like this one I've been reading at this site since last fall in preparation for getting my first chicks in Feb 09 that made it quite clear to me to;

a. Never use chicken wire - keeps chicks in but preditors can rip it apart and get your birds.

b. ALWAYS lock your birds up in preditor proof coop at night.

c. Don't free range unless you're out watching your chicks.

d. Check your run and coop to make sure there aren't any weak spots or places where preditors have tried getting in.

e. Keep your dogs and chickens in separate areas.

My goal is not to join the "I Hate Raccoons or any other preditor club".

 

[Duck/GooseCRAZY]

Best of luck with that goal!!!

 

[JewellFarm]

Oh I hate them too. We've lost 4 this year due to raccoons and one is short a wing thanks to one. We just can't catch the darn thing. He is outsmarting us at every turn. But I'm not giving up, eventually he will meet Mr. 20 gauge!

 

[Duck/GooseCRAZY]

Quote:
LOL you sound like me!! Good Luck I know you will catch him soon. I have heard to bait your traps with cat food. I am trying it tomorrow. I let you know how it goes...

 

[rstampa]

I'll join your cause! I hate them and rats too.
I've always use 1/2" hardware cloth for all my birds. From aviary to chicken coops and runs. I don't want to take a chance on loosing any of my birds. Even with a 1' mess a snake can get in a freak you flock. Don't give an inch to a preditor.
Good luck and my sympathy for your lose.

PS Did you get him last night?

 

[Duck/GooseCRAZY]

last nite attack happened right after dark. I mean we must have just walked in, after putting the electric fence around our chain linked fence. That sorry no good, went through a dog crate. You know, the ones that are made by PetMate. a coon could not have gotten in, but could have stuck its arm in. A mink I quess could squeeze in but, that is a 1 inch opening. NEVER THOUGHT they would get in there. Chain linked fence yes, but not the other. I am buying hardware cloth TODAY!! it is going around EVERYTHING.

 

[gel2727]

Grrrrrrr.....Raccoons......One has been breaking into our screened in porch. I'm so worried about my chickens, I have chicks up there! My husband said he saw the coon one evening before dark. so my babies are getting shut in early.

 

[Duck/GooseCRAZY]

that is probably a great idea....they strike earlier than what I expected. I was thinking midnite but, it was early last nite.

 

[Big Chicken Little]

I don't hate raccoons but do keep my coop secure so nothing can get in. The best cure for me was talk radio....buy a cheap used radio from goodwill and put it on the am station with all the talk and it is 24/7 and the wild critters hate it. I also use electric fencing and motion detector lights .... no coons now, they stay in the woods.