Dead chicken this morning

[ArtofGreen]

For now, I've decided to put a dog cage in the stall for the chickens to sleep in at night. They all huddle in a small mass anyway, so they shouldn't mind. I'm also putting a live trap in the stall and hoping to catch the culprit. If it's a possum, that would be ironic, since I found a bald baby possum earlier this year and took it to a nature preserve where they raised it and released it. I'll let you guys know what happens with the live trap. Thanks for all the comments and concern.

 

[mrpekinduck]

Good luck!

 

[littleoak]

Your killer is a possom. A weasel takes the head. The possom is easy to catch with a live trap. Bait with cat food or old leftover meat.

 

[ArtofGreen]

Live trap sprung and I've got myself one very MEAN and FAT raccoon. Going to release it far from here today and reset the trap again tonight, because I'm not taking any chances.

 

[mrpekinduck]

Good job but you have to kill him or he will come back. Good luck and nice trapping!

 

[sourland]

Quote:
Better make it 30 miles or better - he will return. Catch and release is not a good idea with predators for a host of reasons. If he does return you will have an educated trap shy raccoon on your hands.

 

[ArtofGreen]

The coon was released approx. 60 miles from here on a nature preserve. Resetting the trap this evening because I'm not sure that he was the culprit. Also, I'm planning to move the chickens out of the barn entirely and into a heated shed closer to the house. It will probably take me a week or so to convert it, but it will be much more convenient since it's wired and heated (and not a 2 min walk from the house). Thanks, folks