Coon is killing my chickens!

[sowingseeds]

We have been fighting this critter for over a month. Tried live trapping and it would get the bait but would not be trapped. Then we got a foot trap and same thing. We have lost 6 chickens. We have had chickens for almost a year and never had any problems till now. After the first attack we started shutting them in there coop at night. On a few occasions we would forget and sure enough another attack. Since then we have been good about keeping them tucked in at night, but wake to find loose chickens. Many of them have been avoiding the coop and hiding in the barn and in a wood pile! Those we have lost to the coon. We thought all were safe inside the coop tonight, but sure enough at least one was out and became the next target! My husband retrieved the poor dead hen and got a shot at the coon, but it got away. We just don't know what to do. It's sad because I feel like our flock does not feel safe and we are not able to protect them.

 

[quigley257]

What kind of trap are you using? I have never heard if s coon being able to get out of a Duke's DP trap.

 

[sowingseeds]

I don't know what a Duke's DP trap is. The foot trap never even closed. At first we thought we had the pressure set too tight and loosened it, but still the trap never closed shut. We still may be doing it wrong. We are fairly new to country living and this is our first battle. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[sowingseeds]

My husband just killed it! Hopefully there is not a family and this is the end of it! Thankfully my first post was a quick one.

 

[quigley257]

Glad to hear you got the coon. Do a search for Duke's DP trap. They are THE BEST way to catch coons. It is a foot hold trap so you do need to dispatch the animal once caught but they are great for people who don't want to worry about catching other animals(dogs, pets, chickens etc.) in the trap.