Declaration of war!

[janes flock]

I have 11 grown birds and I did have 6 3 week old rir pullets. I fed and watered them as usual last night. Went to do the same this morning and all six were dead all were bloody but only one had been ate on. My guess is a coon. Any advice would be helpful. I am setting a live trap tonight and locking the coop. Whatever it is will regret messing with my chicks.

 

[quigley257]

Dukes DP coon trap. Check out the "I caught a coon" thread for more info...

 

[centrarchid]

Place a carcass as bait in live-trap. Make certain trap is in location predator is likely to pass by when trying to access coop. If any doubts about security of coop, then move remaining birds to another location.

 

[janes flock]

I am in the process of a quick remodel to keep whatever it is out. But I really want to catch it thank you very much

 

[janes flock]

Update. I baited the live trap with my babies and over the long weekend I dispatched two cats a coon and 3 oppossum. Something is setting my trap off now but escapes. My mature birds are becoming active now around 3 am. Could this be due to my visitor.

 

[quigley257]

Predators prowling around the coop will keep your chickens awake and can be quite stressful for them. Good luck in thinning them out.

 

[shouts]

After ripping a few holes and killing half my stock, I put out some poison (loving GOLDEN MALRIN). 2 dead coons and a dead possum in two nights.

 

[quigley257]

These are the last two visitors to my Duke's DP on Tuesday and this morning.

 

[jesirose]

After ripping a few holes and killing half my stock, I put out some poison (loving GOLDEN MALRIN). 2 dead coons and a dead possum in two nights.

What did they rip holes in? You are using hardware cloth, not chicken wire, right? You should work on improving the coop and run security.

 

[Wrooster]

I am in the process of a quick remodel to keep whatever it is out. But I really want to catch it thank you very much

It sounds like maybe you got it, but if not, try something like a cheap driveway alarm (Harbor Freight, about $15). Put the receiver next to your bed along with a flashlight, shoes and weapon of chice. Worked for me.