First signs of predators at my coop

Skunk!

Jim

 

A raccoon will dig around the perimeter then climb over the fence. Foxes generally don't climb but they will jump over the fence if it's low enough. A fox will also dig, fairly deep. Like yours, my fencing is buried 1' underground and so far, we haven't had a fox get through, although they have tried really hard. I'm not sure if a opossum will climb a fence or not even though they're fully capable.

 

If you're a foot deep they'll have a lot of work ahead of them. Maybe put some broken glass in the hole in case they want to continue their excavation. Run a wire on top. If they are climbing they'll have a good ground on the fence.

 

You might consider laying a strand of barb wire around the fence at ground level. then when it tries to dig under the fence it hits the barb wire. Might make things a little less attractive.

 

If you think it might be a skunk, place a sack or hunk of old carpet over the trap before you set it so it can't spray you when it is time to remove him from the coop area.

 

Trapped skunks surprisingly aren't too bad to deal with! Other things that work well over traps are painters plastic or a cheap vinyl shower curtain. Also, if you use something somewhat clear you can see if you've caught anything without lifting the cover. Skunks are very near-sighted. Move slowly and quietly. If they stamp their feet they're getting irritated, so if you don't back off a spray will probably follow.

 

If you want to know for sure, get a game camera and mount it where the animal is digging. I have one on my property and it has caught a few pics of a coyote. I originally did this to find out what took my two cats, but now I have it mounted right by the coop. Also, you could look around for droppings (gross, I know) but that was the other sign I found to link it to the coyote. I like the idea of glass or barbed wire in the hole...that should put an end to the digging spree. Good luck.