Arizona Chickens

[BlueBaby]

We have a squirrel problem. I just saw one in the yard that was so big I thought it was a cat.

They eat chicken feed and drink the chickens water. They will dig to get in under the coop or runs. I have a bunch of them here this year, and ended up buying a squirrel trap.

By the way, the squirrels also love to eat the mesquite pods.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

They eat chicken feed and drink the chickens water. They will dig to get in under the coop or runs. I have a bunch of them here this year, and ended up buying a squirrel trap.

By the way, the squirrels also love to eat the mesquite pods.

Which trap did you buy? I'd love suggestions.

 

[BlueBaby]

Which trap did you buy? I'd love suggestions.

https://www.amazon.com/Rugged-Ranch...1718422970&sprefix=squrrel+tra,aps,376&sr=8-4

 

[EmmaDonovan]

https://www.amazon.com/Rugged-Ranch-Products-100063928-Squirrelinator/dp/B0046VJ8RU/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=6K8HSTSJQTBG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ejcF9hghUnoBAj9-_qqRPmZdx1VR2QGogJHTp46HRo6BSXryvt2cJ7vuDcHzo8c_CkYS3ZiI6JFYO-VfMuxjsMyZUMCzKTIxdYuh3jyDUcgVt-ak5IpiNutO7oKwZVbGwqvbS3q3jCp_MDbRURPr8ahz7C15lL1a2efzao1drpWd0zpsGeV7FUJTd0r7DM7oPDdvjXCv6js-I11OgvvBfQ.PFIbtOLh_kshYK22DVNUQXocFaFNwlOBfaEIXuUpgA4&dib_tag=se&keywords=squirrel+traps+outdoor&qid=1718422970&sprefix=squrrel+tra,aps,376&sr=8-4

I have that one on my list, has it been effective for you?

 

[BlueBaby]

I have that one on my list, has it been effective for you?

I just got it a few days ago. You have to spend a couple of day's leaving the top open to get them used to it. I'm in the process of closing the top and setting the locking thing tomorrow when I rebait it.

 

[BlueBaby]

@EmmaDonovan I have it set up now and used sunflower seeds and chicken feed as bait. Will check the trap later.

Updates..
I went out at 1 pm and there are already 2 squirrels in it.

Went out again at 3 pm, and now there are 4 of them. It looks like it's going to be a great trap.

There was a 5th one, so they have all been relocated, and the trap reset and baited.

 

[BlueBaby]

@EmmaDonovan there was another squirrel out there in the trap today, so that makes 6 squirrels that are no longer my problem at the chicken run. The trap is rebaited and I'll see if I got them all or not yet.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

@EmmaDonovan there was another squirrel out there in the trap today, so that makes 6 squirrels that are no longer my problem at the chicken run. The trap is rebaited and I'll see if I got them all or not yet.

What do you do with all the squirrels?

 

[BlueBaby]

What do you do with all the squirrels?

I relocated them away from houses.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

Our girls have slowed waaaay down on eating feed. They get Scratch and Peck grower mash.

After we culled our cockerel we noticed a drop in feed consumption. I figured he had been eating a lot because he was a boy but that was about a week ago and the flock is still slowing down on eating feed, so it wasn't just him.

They gobble up grubs and any cold treats we give them but we don't want to give them so many that their nutrition is thrown out of balance.

They are 11-14 weeks old so this is their first summer. Is it that they aren't growing as fast? Is it the heat? I think we've been 100+ for about three weeks, if not longer.

Does your flock eat less feed during high temps?