35 dead chickens. Coons, maybe weasels : Update Post #45

[effie]

You might be on to something with the red light thing--I have thought about wrapping one of my 5 dollar solar yard lights with red celophane and then putting a piece of black construction paper or black plastic around it with 2 holes in it to see if it would be similiar to the red eye things they are purchasing on here for 20 bucks. Never hurts to try!!! Good luck with everything!!!

 

[duckinnut]

Sorry to hear of all the trauma that has passed into your life and hopefully with all the suggestions and support we can get you on the better side of things.

Having read all the posts and knowing your in New England as is I, I was wondering if you may have considered that a Fisher could be the root of your problem. Cousin of the weasel are very cunning and ferocious hunters as well as very elusive. Boreal forest hunters, they are not a stranger in the neighborhoods as we have far encroached into their realm. By your description its sounds like the work of that type of predator,fisher,weasel or mink.

Personally I would invest in a trailcam to see what your up against. You have done everything you could do so dont be down on yourself. Sometimes things happen and as difficult as it can be we come out the other side. Stronger,smarter and confident in tackling life.

http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/wildlife/living/living_with_fisher.htm

 

[mishellez]

So sorry to hear about your ongoing battle! I have one suggestion to add (if someone else hasn't already suggested it): maybe add a baby monitor inside where you keep the chickens? That way at night if there's any commotion going on out there you can hear it, wake up, and get out there or send out the dogs. At least this way you'll also find out if you're dealing with the Arnold Schwarzenegger of raccoons or a mink with a blow torch and power tools!

 

[Jschaaff]

Quote:

Great minds think alike

I had actually posted earlier today that I will be adding baby monitor when we move the chicks outside. They will finish brooding in the tractor. We'll see how much noise 25 peepers make all night

Can't make nearly as much noise as the 60 quail I have brooding in the house right now

!

Thank you for the great suggestion!
-Jessa

 

[Jschaaff]

Update:

Another raccoon in the havaheart trap this morning. I am sure this sounds naive but it poured all night, so I assumed no raccoon: Wrong. Apparently pouring rain is NOT a deterrent for these little monsters. This guys even bigger than the one last week. Hubby left camera with me today so I can take tractor pics. Will try and get some if it stops pouring.

The babies are moving out to the tractor on Wed, and will finish brooding out there so these are the precautions we have taken/will take:

The trap will be close by the pen (it's right in the path we know the coons are taking) and baited, EVERY night. (sardines, peanut butter, and marshmallows)

Three new locks on the chicken tractor (2 on the inside, one all way, diagonal across the door on the outside).

Baby monitor is going outside by the pen.

When they no longer need the red heat lamp, will be replacing the bulb with a red "party lite" (just as red 40 w bulb from walmart) as I've notice we always lose our birds within 6 days of turning the heat lamp off...maybe the red light helps.


I want to thank the BYC family for picking me up and telling me to keep trucking.

These new babies WILL make it to freezer camp!!

-Jessa

 

[ladyride]

You go girl

my thoughts & prayers go with you ! Keep on trapping those buggers.

Baby monitor sounds like fab idea at least you will hear something when it comes around.

 

[itsy]

 

[sherylreno]

Quote:
Any update on the chicks? How's it going out there in the tractor?

 

[stuhayes2010]

You could raise a puppy with your chicks, creating a "sheep dog".

Sounds like you have the most determined racoons I've ever heard of.