chickens being killed at night

[1muttsfan]

Ok, squirrels are not chicken predators. No squirrel is a match for a grown chicken. Would they eat an egg or kill a chick? Possibly.

Lots of advice here for killing. My personal advice is that since there is ALWAYS another predator your efforts are best made toward excluding predators from your chicken housing.

 

[aoxa]

Ok, squirrels are not chicken predators. No squirrel is a match for a grown chicken. Would they eat an egg or kill a chick? Possibly.
Lots of advice here for killing. My personal advice is that since there is ALWAYS another predator your efforts are best made toward excluding predators from your chicken housing.

Prevention is always better than cure.

 

[Hillschicks]

Actually i contacted the michigan DNR and trapping coons that are killing my chickens is fully within my right as a farmer... Possum can be trapped year round with a licence and traps set in a legal manner... And yes, obviously prevention is better than vengence, but when one fails to be stopped by two red LED lights or other prevention methods its time for it to die

 

[aoxa]

Actually i contacted the michigan DNR and trapping coons that are killing my chickens is fully within my right as a farmer... Possum can be trapped year round with a licence and traps set in a legal manner... And yes, obviously prevention is better than vengence, but when one fails to be stopped by two red LED lights or other prevention methods its time for it to die

I didn't advice you not to kill it. Chickens wouldn't die if it was prevented though. That was my point.

You need a permit to kill and trap raccoons and possums? Not here.

 

[Mattemma]

Crate the chickens in a garage or basement until you secure the coop better.Put a live trap inside and/or outside the coop to see what is getting them.What you do with the catch is up to you.Sometimes I move stuff I catch,but most times a quick dispatch is done.

Keep a trap set 24/7 not just when a chicken is killed.Sorry for your loss.

 

[Hillschicks]

I didn't advice you not to kill it. Chickens wouldn't die if it was prevented though. That was my point.

You need a permit to kill and trap raccoons and possums? Not here. 

For possum yes, raccoons no... Its michigan... If they can sell a permit, they probably require one... Oh well, a few dollars a year to have the ability to de-predator my area... If only there was something to do about those **** hawks!

 

[kitchenchick]

We trap year around. It surprised all of us about how many 'coons and 'possums are around here. Sorry, not going to be P.C here...when you "relocate" those critters all that's being done is passing conditioned predators to others, and yes they do travel. If I catch them they are dispatched. No second chances to come back in and thieve more. I've got to much invested in my birds to just go set out chicken thieves.

 

[Hillschicks]

Absolutely kitchenchick... Not to mention moving things could spread disease... Better to off em

 

[Gargoyle]

Every state is different. Illinois you can only trap possums and raccoons from Nov. to January.

That night I caught that raccoon and released him in a park a few miles away.

A lot of problems with releasing. Here it is illegal to release more than something like 100 yards from where you trap. Releasing you are dumping the problem on someone else, and you are also releasing a smarter, trap-savvy raccoon. Raccoons teach other raccoons.

Also, raccoons released into other raccoons territories tend not to live more than a couple weeks, (either killed by other raccoons or other inhabitants of their new territory, or run over by cars since they aren't as familiar with the area). So, there is nothing humane or nice about relocating.

 

[Hillschicks]

Do what i did... Contact your local DNR ... Or whatever your states wildlife org is and just ask... Give them as much info as possible... I told them why i was trapping out of season (cuz my chickens have a right to live)... Tell them what methods your using to dispatch predators... Best way to know the law and your rights, ask the people who enforce them