Fisher living on my property

[kesali]

Quote:
I agree that the "screaming" does not usually go along with a fisher. They are more the silent assassin type.

 

[Baymen Moe]

The screaming could very well be a fox. Never would have believed it until I heard it. Like a woman being brutally attacked, no kidding. As for the claw marks and overhead entry, gray foxes will climb. I can attest to the increase in Fishers here in Mass seeing a few in the last two years. They are rarely viewed. Good luck.

I also meant to ask where in Ma you are. Bears are not uncommon in centarl and western Mass.

 

[elevan]

I lost 10 of 11 chickens last fall to a mink (same family as the fisher). My coops are now built so that their "pop" door is a sturdy, small, double paned window. Haven't had any attempted break ins and I feel more secure.

Glad you found all of your birds safe.

 

[Baymen Moe]

Sorry for not paying attention to details, I see your in central Ma, Quabbin area.

 

[luvmychixandducks]

Aren't we lucky in MA to have these guys to worry about ?
I'm not sure where in MA you are, but here on the North Shore these little devils are firmly established.
A guy in Peabody saw one in his backyard, and sent his large German Shepherd after it- and in seconds he was one dog poorer and a lot smarter about these little devils.
(As reported in theSalem News).
My neighbor had one attack a cat and it tore the face badly- but the cat did recover.
I guess the level of harm is directly in proportion to the level of threat to the Fisher cat.
My brother let his old slow GP livestock dog chase one (admittedly, a juvenile) and all it did was climb a tree and look down at them.
He had a camera and got a good photo- and the old dog was not injured. Would hate to run into that young one now, though.
Try SSS and DO NOT talk about it. Nuff said.

 

[Nimby Chickens]

When you said horrible screaming sounds I thought fox right away - then again I have never seen or heard a fisher cat!

 

[theFox]

Quote:
Fishers have been reintroduced to a large part of their former range and are not exactly rare in all areas, however they need a large area for survival so their numbers were never huge to start with. They are mean but then most members of the weasel family are.

I'll take a fisher over a wolverine any day.

If the OP actually has a fisher, it will let it be known in no uncertain way late some night.

 

[CamillaRules]

Hi Chicken Lovers All! All your comments are really appreciated. As to whether or not it's a fisher, I listened to some tape recordings of it's screech...perfect match. I have seen them in the area, but not near my place before. We don't have lynx or bobcats. But we are certainly redoing the hatch to open differently and securing the perimeter of the run to make it stronger too. From the pile of feathers left by Camilla, I'd say something dragged her from under the wire...that's been boarded up more too.

I'm still a bit shaken by it and more than a little p'd off too. Believe me, if it happens to get shot I won't breathe a word. I Know Nothing...I saw Nothing....

 

[theFox]

Quote:
The Bobcat in Massachusetts

The only wild cat now found in Massachusetts, the bobcat (Lynx rufus) is a medium sized feline approximately twice the size of a domestic house cat. The bobcat can be easily identified by its short, "bobbed" tail (3.5-7.5 inches), prominent face ruff, and slightly tufted Bobcat photoears. The coat of short, dense fur can vary in color from a yellowish to reddish brown with distinct or faint black spots along its flanks and white under parts that are also spotted with black.

From: http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/wildlife/living/living_with_bobcats.htm

 

[aprophet]

we have a fair population of bobcat here at va beach most folks do not realize they are in town their screeching/growling can be quiet unnerving

http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/norfolk/dead-bobcat-found-on-interstate-264-norfolk

the reporter does not deal with every other day I do LOL the south end of the resort strip has a right fair population of bobkittys

right by the naval base NAS Oceana