Absolute BEST protection for chickens?

[centrarchid]

I am a trapper, why do you think trapping is pointless? If you really are a wildlife biologist you would understand that trapping is necessary. Not trying to argue but you could also live trap and release them. But that is 99% likely not to be the solution because I'm not saying you can't do it but you can't it takes more dedication and research and will take probably 2 or 3 years maybe more until you can catch enough consistently to make a difference.

Most people with poultry will be trapping on their property only. With such an approach, trapping by individual on own property would work only if many people do it. Otherwise the trapping effort by a single poultry keeper will cost much more than the alternatives. If pelts where worth something like they have in the past then trapping would be a more economical approach. Hunting is usually not much better.

Repelling with fences, dogs and good poultry containment is cheaper in the long run.

 

[19disbre]

The way you made it sound it sounded like you were against trapping, but I agree with this trapping doesn't cost a whole lot and 1 person can do it effectively, I do around my chickens, but other than that I agree

Most people with poultry will be trapping on their property only. With such an approach, trapping by individual on own property would work only if many people do it. Otherwise the trapping effort by a single poultry keeper will cost much more than the alternatives. If pelts where worth something like they have in the past then trapping would be a more economical approach. Hunting is usually not much better.

Repelling with fences, dogs and good poultry containment is cheaper in the long run.

 

[centrarchid]

I am not against trapping, but I am against wasting my time when other measures are more effective. I trap muskrats and turtles to keep them out of ponds and raccoons to keep them out of raceways. In those situations trapping is the most cost effective approach.

 

[19disbre]

yes I agree it depends on the situation, most of the time trapping is not effective/efficent unless you already have everything you need and the skill to go along with it.

 

[centrarchid]

yes I agree it depends on the situation, most of the time trapping is not effective/efficent unless you already have everything you need and the skill to go along with it.

Even with skill and gear, trap setting and running are significant investments with respect to time even if you count your hourly cost as only minimum wage. You can keep traps at all times for pest management which means most of time you will predictably catch nothing. Then you quickly get into situation where time invested checking sets cost more than the birds that might otherwise be lost. The limited traps I employ are along paths covered daily for other reasons and dogs usually inform me of catch first. I very seldom catch anything because of those same dogs that protect against a lot more than what a particular type of set can catch.

 

[Cdpauling]

First, your statement " If you really are a wildlife biologist you would understand that trapping is necessary" is offensive. If you want me to scan a copy of my degrees to post then I would be more than happy to. Second, trapping is not a necessity. Predators will always return so what are you achieving? If populations are low enough to where predators will not return then you should not be trapping in the first place. Second when I worked for the state in wildlife veterinary services at least half of the trapping led to animals being left because the trappers forgot about them. Have you ever seen a wolf with bobble head? Now how is that necessary? Trapping and moving to another area is dependent upon the state in which this is occurring and can sometimes mess up ecosystems that most people are not aware of. In current times, pelts and skulls do not sell for much from what I recall but of course I could be wrong. In the grand scheme of things, trapping is nothing more than killing another animal or two. If you think it is making an impact on stopping predators around your property then you are wrong. Predators will return to an easy kill and if populations are healthy enough for you to be trapping then I can guarantee another animal will come along for an easy meal just like the first one.