cats

[Rickba]

Any loose animal that see's your live stock as a free meal will always come back. If you want to keep the buffet open for them that's your business. Me, I raise my live stock to feed me and my family not every animal, feral or not, that wants an MRE. To each his own I recon'. Personally, I don't have an issue with killing 'em. I know that's one that won't come back. It's keeping a small problem small. Taking care of 'em one at a time. If you don't then soon you'll have 2, then 3, then,,, well you get the picture. Before you know it you are overwhelmed with predators looking for an easy meal. A small problem becomes a big problem that didn't need to be.

 

[Hillaire]

@Rickba I agree, if it is a predator attacking my livestock I take care of it... if it's a cat or dog I try to find the source if I can't I trap for a week if that doesn't work I'll have to dispatch... I haven't had that issue and don't look forward to the day I do. One thing I will say is that you need to make sure you are inside legal guidelines... nobody needs a lawsuit on their hands for shooting someone's dog.

 

[teachingigi]

I put my first six ever sweet feathering pullets in an outdoor cage on the ground as Ive been for the past 2 weeks. When I came home 2 had heads pulled through the chicken wire and bitten off, one chick missing with lively new brown feathers strewn around outside. One of 4 remaining has a wing injury. I thought the wire would protect them. Im heartbroken. What animal would do this style of attack and what do I do now for the wing wound?? Thanks for the advice.

 

[Red5]

A coon will reach thru there and take whatever it can grab. How big are the birds?

 

[teachingigi]

A coon will reach thru there and take whatever it can grab. How big are the birds?

 

[teachingigi]

They were just getting their brown feathers...six weeks??

 

[dekel18042]

A coon will reach thru there and take whatever it can grab. How big are the birds?

 

[teachingigi]

Would a raccoon be out after 8 am? I left home around then!

 

[Red5]

Here, check out what Howard E found in his garage and you can see how a coon could do what you described with east.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1170361/coons-believe-it

 

[Red5]

Quote:
It's possible. That isn't too far from dawn. Tell us about their coop and run. Is there a netting, etc on the top?