Bobcat in the coop as I write. All my Sussex are gone.

[HighNDryFarm]

I am SO sorry. I know just how you feel, I lost 18 (all my hens) a little over a week ago. We were not fortunate enough to find out what it was, which has been very hard for me. At least you know what happened. I'm SO glad one of your girls got away. My roo survived, but they'll break your heart trying to find the others. I recommend you find a buddy for her as soon as possible. My dear friend gave me two of her girls and Big Daddy is much happier now and it helped me to see chickens poopin' and peckin' on the property again. It's heavy duty lockdown at night around here but at least I don't have to worry.

Regarding shooting the predator....endangered or not, if it's killing your livestock you can kill it. Our local Fish & Game told me that it was up to me but it was legal since I was not in town limits (for shooting a firearm) and it ate my livestock. A good example of this was the incident in Montana where ranchers killed several endangered wolves that killed their livestock.

I'm just so sorry.....

Pam

 

[Pickles03]

Quote:
I have to say I agree here.....but am so sorry this happened...what a terrible loss.

Do you have other chickens to integrate your sole survivor with?

 

[jmagill]

He or She was back. Trying to get my last hen. She was locked up tight.

 

[CrazyChickieMama]

Wow....That thing has no fear does it? yipes. it's time to take care of that.

 

[ColbyNTX]

And it will be back again and again! It is very young and you can catch it the way I have told you 2 times now. It won't stop til it gets all your birds then it will start eating cats and small dogs!

 

[KimberlyJ]

Stunning Cat. Determinded predator. So so sorry for your loss.

I would be in

 

[stickers]

Quote:
I emailed you re eggs

 

[betsysiewe]

I am so sorry for your loss One of mine fell victim to a fox once, I know how heartbreaking it is. I wish you the best.

 

[theFox]

Quote:
Illegal!! Bobcats are protected!!!
make your coop cat proof or risk getting a HUGE fine

Not in Maine, bobcats can be legally hunted or trapped this time of the year, this is in addition to what the laws allow me to do in protecting my property and people on it.

 

[RedneckChikns]

Im am very sorry for your loss........I only read the first page...and it got my feathers ruffled. I try to believe in live and let live....but if it comes and kills...wellI am happy to help karma along. I dont care about anyones rules and regs (and I know that sounds tuff but I am really a law abiding softy at heart)..but if its in my pen knawing on any of my livestock and I have a chance to kill it, I WILL. I had goats attacked years ago...babies killed, mamas still alive with their guts hanging out...all by feral dogs that I trapped and one was shot by Law Enforcement. Im still not over that scene. Neighbors dog...I have NO ISSUES in taking a shot at it or even killing it. (and that is LEGAL) Bobcat...bye bye...and the carcass is going on the burn pile, coons and possums can be trapped and sold...certain cultures will buy and eat them for their meat.

I feel your pain...you get that SOB!

But just a silly idea...this is what works for me....My Chickens (older birds) free range....and when I say free I mean FREE....no fences no pens no pasturing. I always have gorw out pens FILLED with tastely little up and comings, but they are never bothered. THere are coyuotes and possums and coons and bobcats and foxes and even THE NEIGHBORS DOGS. I have only lost 5 in one day in the past year to THE NEIGHBORS DOG...they havent been back since I made it very clear I had no issues with killing them if they didnt fix the hole in their fence, and call the law..its perfectly legal. But as silly as it sounds...here's what I do. First off I have some free range bunnies...yup you read that right....they have free ranged for 4 years now...they are just "junk" bunnies tho I am attached and they will come eat from my hand. But if something gets really hungry..well its an easy meal. I have 2 free range LARGE neutered chicken friendly cats (that takes care of rodents)

I set traps-most I ever catch are feral cats and the occassional possum. And I only set it from time to time...mostly when I suspect something has taken up residence under the house.

Heres what I think keeps my losses down...now you can laugh but it works for me....I take old eggs, some from the bators that didnt hatch, even fresh ones that I havent sold and are getting over a week old...and any baby chicks that have passed and I set this tastey meal out by a tree far far from my chicken pens. I do this several times a week. If I dont have eggs or little bodies...I put out cat or dog or old people food. A passing critter stops and gets well filled up on an easy and free meal that they DONT have to work for. I keep lights on all my roosts at night as well...so the old eggs etc get set in a DARK area...preadators like DARK. It works for me....I seem to have this understanding with nature...you dont eat my chickens and you get well fed.

Again I am sorry for your loss and heartbreak...I think we have all had that experience once.

Hugs