dead chicken inside coop back eaten another one gone tonightYIKES!!!

[kelliepulido]

Came home last night to find a dead chicken with bloodied back meat exposed evidence of a struggle inside the coop.Lots of feathers and feed bowls tipped over,and the dead bird.I have a light on in the barn have now bought a live trap from tsc.Are these hard to set up

 

[kelliepulido]

tonight another one dead head gone and it was a little serama cockrel I am sick over this.I will set the live trap tomorrow

 

[chkn]

Seems like a possum to me. I'd bet money on it.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Sorry to hear about your loss.

It could be weasel, mink, opossum or raccoon. Did you figure out how it is getting into your coop? Live traps are very easy to set up. Good luck.

 

[kelliepulido]

I think possum too.Does the bait go on the little flat plate or beyond it?And what is good to use seems like beyond would be better so the animal steps on it to spring it

 

[Lbrad7]

Quote:
I'm with you...possum!

 

[Brindlebtch]

Something that might help, along with the light, is a radio. Somrimes a radio will deter raccoons for a short while. Anyway to keep the predator from coming into the coop?

Possums will keep coming back as long as there is a food source, but fortunately are easy to trap. Use canned cat food to bait the trap, if you can.

 

[carrlr]

Quote:
I place mine just a little beyond the plate but keeping the bait close to the middle of the trap. That way they have to travel over the plate, but can't reach through to grab it. IMO, possum's will eat the internal organs first. If there heads upto their whole bodies gone, I'd say Raccoons. If they're blood is sucked, usually through a neck wound, then minks or weasles. Good luck in catching it or them.

 

[Abundant Hope Farm]

Quote:
Place the bait Beyond the flat plate (towards the back of the trap)
If the varmint is large it may become stuck in the door thereby preventing it from locking which can allow them to wiggle back out.

I have baited coon by hanging balled tin foil on a string hanging from the back of a live trap. They are curious critters and sometimes shiney things get their attention over chickens just long enough to get themselves in a pickle.

Just three nights ago I ran outside to chase away a coon from the door of the coop and supprise... there was a opossum IN THE RUN! That 'ol 'possum was dispached on sight, the coon was trapped last night.

 

[7L Farm]

Quote:
Place the bait Beyond the flat plate (towards the back of the trap)
If the varmint is large it may become stuck in the door thereby preventing it from locking which can allow them to wiggle back out.

I have baited coon by hanging balled tin foil on a string hanging from the back of a live trap. They are curious critters and sometimes shiney things get their attention over chickens just long enough to get themselves in a pickle.

Just three nights ago I ran outside to chase away a coon from the door of the coop and supprise... there was a opossum IN THE RUN! That 'ol 'possum was dispached on sight, the coon was trapped last night.

Back to back sweet.