Confused at what predator it was.

[jdywntr]

The back story:
After 1 year of no night time losses, I've had a bad few weeks. I lost a few of my younger birds in grow out pens and trapped an oppossum. No losses for about 1.5 weeks.

Then something got into my adult coop. (I have since reinforced the area of the coop where the pred got in) 4 nights ago, something got in and pulled a broody off her nest. (I had accidentally left the coop door unlocked, my fault) It left a large pile of poop on one of the roosts that were set up for the younger birds. It only killed the one.

The next night, something came back and killed a few of my younger birds that were in the adult coop. The trail of entrails up the side showed me where it got in.

At this point I am assuming raccoon, especially with the scat that was left.

The following night, 2 nights ago, something got into a grow out coop. This is a small coop, about 4x4' and had 8 4-6 week olds in it. Something got in and killed and ate one chicken. Not a feather was touched on the other 7. The pred, killed and ate the chicken on one of the roosts, over the others. The carcass was almost picked clean. I mean the thigh bones were bare. Most of the chicken meat and organs were eaten, head left alone but almost pulled off.

This last one confuses me. I know that every animal is not going to conform to the standard MO but I was shocked that only 1 bird was even touched. Could it still be a raccoon? Maybe a possum? All coops have been reinforced. No losses last night. Hurray. I have had traps (I only have live traps right now) out for weeks. I have changed up the bait, dead chicken, eggs, dog food, etc. 2 nights ago, something was able to get almost everything out of the trap without tripping it. Again, I'm thinking raccoon.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

I'm sorry about your losses. We had a raccoon problem and they would keep taking one or two at a time. We finally had to go with the kill traps unfortunately, because they were able to get the food out of the live traps without getting caught. It is a horrible experience; once they find a source of food they keep trying to get in despite the increased fortifications. I'm guessing raccoon is your culprit, too, but here is a link with pretty detailed predator descriptions: http://professorchickenspredators.webs.com/raccoons.htm

 

[jdywntr]

thanks for the reply. honestly, I have no problem with a lethal trap, I dispatched the opossum I caught and would do the same with a coon. but I've only been able to find live traps locally. I plan to order some snare type traps but need to wait for them to arrive. I've read about a " can" trap, it catches the foot. there's on made by duke, I think, that's supposed to be pretty good.

it was just odd that it only even touched the over the other night. everything I've read says they'll kill all or many.

 

[gilmeryote]

Get some dog proof traps, a lot of folks like the Duke's. The ones I use are Coon Daggers, they'll catch coons and possums. I get mine from Minnesota Trapline Products. Set two or three outside your coop baited with dried cat food or marshmellows.

 

[jdywntr]

Friday morning, about 4am, I went out and found something in the trap I bought. Thought it was a rabbit from a distance but as I got closer, realized it was a coon. Not a baby, but not huge. I had to get ready for work and was thinking about leaving it for my hubby to dispatch but figured it may have time to try to get out. After a shower, I went back out to take care of the coon and feed the birds.

I get out there and hear some noise, I though it may be another coon. I go around the coop, nothing inside, look around the side of the building and there is a coon, hanging from the area it had gotten in before. I was able to hit it with my first shot, though only in the thigh. (I have no experience shooting in the dark with a flashlight and had the rifle in one hand and the flashlight in the other) It fell and hobbled off and of course the gun jambed. I fixed it while keeping an eye on the direction of the coon and was able to catch up and finish it off.

I then went to check the trap and found the coon had broken out. So, my trap worked, for a short time but my execution turned into a hunt. But, at least I got the little bugger. I just couldn't believe that it was able to break out so quickly. I'll be reinforcing the door of the trap with some metal plates.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Wow. Good shot considering the circumstances.

Hmm, I had never really considered that the coon could escape from one of those live traps. I guess because on a few occasions the coon had been in there for a few hours waiting for my husband to dispatch it.

That sort of trap probably wont work on your coon escapee again.

 

[jdywntr]

I'm pretty sure that the coon I shot was the escapee. I had checked the coop after checking the trap the first time and didn't see/hear anything else. I suppose that the trapped one could have escaped and taken off and left a friend behind. There wasn't any evidence of multiple preds though so I think it was that one.

I was also surprised about it getting out. It did go ahead and finish off the bait I left, a leg/thigh of one of the chickens that was killed. It had previously "stolen" the bait without tripping the trap so I used wire to tie the chicken leg to the back of the trap.

Tomorrow I'll be buying metal bars to reinforce the door. I had previously only trapped a possum in it but I think, with the reinforcement, it will do. I am still planning on getting some dog proof coon traps and placing them further out on the property.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Oh good, hopefully your got the main culprit then.

 

[gilmeryote]

Those coons are tougher than some folks think. If you use a box type spend the extra money and get a good one,I had one that came from TSC and it was junk,caught a ground hog in it and he tore the door all to pieces. The dog proofs are the way to go imo, get two or three if you can and gang set them because a lot of times coons will move in family groups. Set them around the perimeter of your coop where you know the coons are coming. They should come with a short length of chain and a swivel,you can either stake them down or tie off to something secure. I usually use 1/8" cable to tie mine off,but you can use chain or heavy gauge metal wire. At least you got one of them,it's good you tracked it down and finished things. Also, if you haven't already,tighten up your pen if you know where they're getting in.Good luck!

 

[Shellz]

Yeah, those TSC traps fall apart with a coon's handiwork overnight. I keep reusing it & still trap more. It's about placement and anchoring it. I back it up against the concrete foundation of garage or house & insert T-posts around it to anchor it in place. I also fill a couple of buckets with water & place on top. The trap isn't going anywhere, no matter how hard it fights to get out. After 3 coons & 3 different places, I have no more coons near house or coop. I'm sure this is only temporary, so I have a trail cam to spot any future activity.