Bobcat has killed 11 this month.

[Z&Z_Farm]

I joined this site today after loosing another rooster. I started with 12 chickens this month and now I have 1. The clever culprit has opened a door and torn off the chicken wire. This morning I found evidence, he left his paw prints, a pretty good size Bobcat is the suspect.
I have a sturdy coop, at least I thought I did.
Any advice on what I should do?
I have ordered wire cage traps, I have brought the remaining rooster, and her with her 4 pullets inside to the garage. I have had the coop up for 6 months without any problems. Why now? I assume the time is now due to the mother needing to feed her babies.
FYI, I live in the Florida Everglades and I am in a national preserve where discharging firearms is prohibited. The Bobcats are not protected from trapping if they become a pest, which is happened 11 times over now. Any advice?

 

[jqs birds]

Bobcats are one of the easiest animals to trap. Put some feathers and chicken in the trap and wire it there so he has to go all the way in.
You may want to put up an electric fence to discourage him or the next predator to try your coop.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

Yeah and be Really careful when youar picking up that trap.

 

[valentinebaby]

I noticed you said you used chicken wire and not hardware cloth. I think buried 1/2" hardware cloth is the only way to predator proof (as best you can...) - much sturdier. I know that some here use stock panels that are even sturdier, but their opening are too large and I have lots of raccoons and other critters that could get through it. That was the biggest expense of my coop and run - the hardware cloth - i have it everywhere - sides, top and bottom (buried) - you can see some of it on my BYC page.

 

[Z&Z_Farm]

thanks. I will put up hardware cloth.
I will let yall know if I get the bobcat.

 

[stacym129]

I live in FL too, and had a bobcat problem. Lost many many chickens, ducks, and guineas. It just jumped over the fence. I FINALLY enclosed my coop in a 24X 16 run. Top, sides, and even buried a bit. Since that was completed, I've had no problems. And I tried a live trap as well. No luck with the bobcat, just a lot of raccoons and other pests like neighbor cats and such. Good luck to you!