Cheap way to figure out what is killing my ducks and chickens

[CaSebrightFan]

A couple times in the last week we were not able to lock up our coop. On both occasions something has gotten in my coop and killed one of my birds. The first night it killed one of my ducks, and left a good portion of the carcass in the coop. Last night it killed one of my Plymouth rocks, there was nothing left of it but blood and feathers. I believe it could be about anything, I have raccoons, opossums, foxes, coyotes, mountain lions, black bears, bobcats, farrel dogs and hawks to deal with in my area. The thing is is whatever it is now knows it has an easy meal. I need to trap it but I don't know what it is an therefore have no idea what size trap to use. Is there any cheap and easy way to find out what it is?

 

[CaSebrightFan]

I know that it's obviously not a hawk, just meant one of the many troubles I have to deal with in my area. I'm pretty sure it wasn't a bear or mountain lion cause I think they would kill more that one bird at a time. A bobcat was seen on my property about a week and a half ago. There is a pack of coyotes that comes through on occasion but I think they would have wiped out my flock. But there is a lone coyote that frequents the area. And the foxes, coons and opossums are here pretty regularly.

 

[bobbi-j]

I think a coyote would have carried off your birds, and killed more than one at a time. I'm guessing fox, raccoon or possum. Until you get the critter trapped, you may want to consider finding someone who can lock up your birds for you if you're not able to do so. Another option is to build them a run attached to the coop so that if you know you'll be unable to be home to lock them up in the evening, they can spend the day in the coop/run and be safe. You are correct that whatever it is will be back. One suggestion I've read is to sprinkle flour around the outside of the coop so you can see the tracks. That will give you a good idea of what's prowling around in the dark. You may be surprised....

 

[CaSebrightFan]

Ya the flour thing was what I was thinking but was curious if anyone else had anything I wasn't thinking of. I am leaning toward a bobcat.

 

[CaSebrightFan]

Turns out that we are going to get 5-8" of snow tonight so if anything comes near my coop tonight I'll be able to see the tracks.

 

[fishman65]

game camera will give you all the proof you need and will let you know what size trap you need....I trap year round and NEVER put the trap away..also game camera will let you know how bad your predator load is....a lot of times you have a lot more predators than you thought!!

 

[Maggie C]

A couple times in the last week we were not able to lock up our coop. On both occasions something has gotten in my coop and killed one of my birds. The first night it killed one of my ducks, and left a good portion of the carcass in the coop. Last night it killed one of my Plymouth rocks, there was nothing left of it but blood and feathers. I believe it could be about anything, I have raccoons, opossums, foxes, coyotes, mountain lions, black bears, bobcats, farrel dogs and hawks to deal with in my area. The thing is is whatever it is now knows it has an easy meal. I need to trap it but I don't know what it is an therefore have no idea what size trap to use. Is there any cheap and easy way to find out what it is?

Sorry you are having trouble with predators, but

. As mentioned above, I would have someone shut the coop door for you if you can't make it home or get a camera. Good luck.

 

[CaSebrightFan]

You guys are great at stating the obvious sometimes... I know I should have somebody shut them up if I can't do it myself, but I had nobody to do it for me. I have a few birds that don't go in the coop they sleep in the trees. And whatever it was got ahold of one of my leghorns early this morning after they were awake but before I was. So today I rounded up all of my birds and put them on lockdown until I catch the *******. There is an attached run to my coop that they are now locked in. I'm pretty sure it's the bobcat that has been recently seen in the area. So I'm gonna go get a live trap.

I can't afford a game cam at the moment. That's why I said cheap. I was gonna try the flour thing but it was snowing last night (first time all winter). I thought I'd be able to see the tracks but the snow was more slush and there was no defined tracks anywhere.

 

[aprophet]

a bobcat willo mostly eat part of it and drag off the rest and cache it for later possums and raccoons will leave bits and pieces possums will hardley eat anything most coon gorge themselves

 

[Oregon Blues]

What's killing your birds? You are, by leaving the door open.

Use a large trap, something big enough for a coyote A large live trap will catch small critters as well as large critters. It'll get raccoons, fox, and the neighbor's dog, if that is what is getting into your coop.

If it is bigger, a bear or mountain lion, you don't really want to be trapping it by yourself. That's a job for a professional trapper and it's very likely that you would need a license to trap them.