Cant catch this predator, Updated last post

[ivan3]

Let us know how the trap works out for you. I posted the havahart info./flour spreading owing to your mention of `other' preds.

Have watched a cage smart coon become so frustrated with the setup I posted in the link above that it jumped up and down in frustration, it took the bait the following night. If the body trap doesn't work, a deadfall will.

Good luck!

 

[AHappychick]

Ok I am pretty sure the coon is dead. Must have been the poison cause I have had a body trap set up in front of a 5 gallon bucket with a tasty dead meaty in it as bait. Nothing has set off the trap in 3 days. It is still in the duck pen so only that particular predator getting in could access it.

I really wish I had found the body from the poison that confirmation would make me feel better.

Now I will begin fixing the pen for the 4th time and add more electric fencing to the top. Meanwhile I am taking this opportunity to treat all duckies for bumblefoot as they all seem to have it although not bad. I think runners get it worse cause they never fly...

Anyway thank you everyone. and to the coon lovers out there, there was just another post of a BYC member who lost over 30 chooks in 2 nights and is devistated from 2 coons they are really nasty creatures no matter how cute they seem.

Final tally

Susan 1
Coon 3

He won some battles but I WON the war!

 

[dacjohns]

One coon is gone but another will take its place. I wouldn't call the war over. You have to make your coop and run as predator proof as possible. If there is a way in the critters will find it.

Although poisoning might kill your target there is always the possibilty that a scavenger will suffer the consequences of eating the poisoned animal. That has happened with condors eating poisoned carcasses that were meant for coyotes.

I hesitate to call wild animals evil or nasty. Evil is a human trait. Coons and other animals are just doing what comes naturally and it is our responsibility to protect our pets and livestock.



Folks, don't forget to check the laws and regulations for where you live. If you don't check or if you are doing something illegal don't forget the third S.

 

[aprophet]

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[AHappychick]

oh I am sure there will be more. But usually they dont bother my birds as I do keep them in safe coops. I did not think my duck pen was so vulnerable but it will be fixed before any ducks go back in.

This coon in particular though was trap savvy and especially nasty, most of the time they dont bother climbing the 2-3 fences and jumping over 2 lines of hot wire to get at my ducks. But since I know now that they acn and will do this I am taking the proper precausions.

Normally the coons dont bother me and I dont bother them. when I see evedence of them trying to get into my pens and coops, that is when I start trapping and disposing.

I was concerned about the coon eating the poison and then it contaminating another animal which is why I looked for the body for a long time and wanted to dispose of it myself. I really thought it would die in the pen where I would be able to collect it in the morning.

I cant wait to have a big farm. then I will get some nice big farm dogs and train them and have additional night time security.

 

[Cetawin]

AHappyChick messy may be your only option. As far as cruel...think of what they do to the birds? Sadly, you cannot left your feelings affect dealing wtih predators. get rid of them by any means necessary, no matter how hard it may seem, your birds are depending on you.