devested to find our flock massacred

[Devinetex]

Do you have a live trap?

we do have some we've used for other animals

 

[Bsmac]

Do they chew through 19 gauge hardware cloth?

I am surprised a racoon could get through hardware cloth!

 

[Bsmac]

we do have some we've used for other animals

Bait it with cantaloupe! Never fails!

 

[Devinetex]

Bait it with cantaloupe! Never fails!

We'll try anything to try to catch this animal. I know the circle of life but not my chickens!

 

[Devinetex]

I am surprised a racoon could get through hardware cloth!

We don't know what it was. We have decided to put another layer of hardware cloth over the one that's there. Then put our repaired tarp over it and add another layer of hardware cloth over the tarp. Three layers of hardware cloth would be pretty hard to chew through. It's amazing how something like this makes you feel sooo responsible for the well being of your chickens.

 

[Bsmac]

We don't know what it was. We have decided to put another layer of hardware cloth over the one that's there. Then put our repaired tarp over it and add another layer of hardware cloth over the tarp. Three layers of hardware cloth would be pretty hard to chew through. It's amazing how something like this makes you feel sooo responsible for the well being of your chickens.

Well, that surely should do it! Like I suggested bait it with cantaloupe. I have caught at least a dozen raccoons likely 2 dozen ground hogs and possums and an occasional skunk! We have a big garden and wild critters are a problem. Haven`t bothered our chicken thankfully.

 

[Bsmac]

We'll try anything to try to catch this animal. I know the circle of life but not my chickens!

Nope! Not my chickens!!!

 

[McChooky]

Its pointless to add multiple layers of hardware cloth to a chicken tractor with no floor. Anything can dig under them. We'll gladly offer some suggestions on how best to help if you'll post a photo of the damages.Sorry for your loss!

 

[RubelliteRose]

I am so sorry that you lost your chicks. How is the one who survived? Was the game warden able to tell what may have attacked them? I've heard that badgers can chew through hardware cloth, but I thought they were too large to fit through a 4" hole. Since you have a predator capable of chewing through hardware cloth, you should look into hotwire for your coop/tractor.

 

[No Coop No Problem]

Flocks are only massacred when chickens are trapped with a predator they can't escape from. Most breeds of chicken can easily escape a raccoon if they're given the freedom to do so. The few exceptions are probably meat birds and heavy production breeds