Anyone ever baited an empty run to see if it's really predator proof?

Carolyn252

Mother of Chickens
15 Years
Feb 23, 2009
626
36
296
Freeport/NassauCounty/L.I./NY
Have been building our very first chicken run for over four months now. It's taking forever because of the incessant rain, but we're hoping to finish it if we can get just four dry sunny days in a row. We're pretty sure it's predator proof against diggers, climbers, and flyers. Heavy gauge, small mesh, welded wire on top, sides, and buried deep in the ground and then bent outward underground. We haven't gotten any chickens as yet. The only critters we've ever seen in the 30 years we've lived in this suburban neighborhood is raccoons, possums, field mice, hawks, and an occasional feral cat.
We're wondering if we should test the run's security before we get any chickens. Not sure if we'd be attracting trouble that might not have ever shown up, or if we'd be cleverly revealing the run's unseen weak spots with no risk to any chickens. Has anyone ever deliberately tempted critters to try and get into their run? And if so, what bait? I'm thinking peanut butter, bacon and bread.
We could set the bait out in a Have-a-Heart live trap, and then put the baited trap in the middle of the run. Smart? Dumb? Any comments or advice?
 
Marshmallows are great bait for raccoons, and cats or dogs don't like them. (or so I'm told). Just because you haven't seen a coon doesn't mean their not around. I never seen one at my house. Until the first night I had chickens. Ate all three of my baby Cochin fuzz balls the very first night. That is not the way you want to find out what your weak spot is in the coop or run. I wish I would of thought of testing it out first.
 
I like the idea of baiting an empty coop very much.

In fact I am going to do that very thing. My chicks are scheduled to go in the tractor next week. I am going to bait the tractor with a store bought chicken leg or wing. Don't have to catch what gets it, but if something gets it, I will know to reinforce the tractor before I lose any chicks.


GREAT IDEA!!!!!!!

Thank You.
 
Quote:
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The ulimate live bait!
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