Fox, Fisher or coon?

[duckfeathers]

last night my ducks went to bed safely and happily, but this morning i found that a hole had been dug along the bottom of the coop. Some animal had the intentions of getting in but gave up. The hole is big enough for a small animal or paws to get in, although I am suspecting it was made by a fox. I have seen foxes and raccoons on my yard before although i have not seen any fisher cats. We have a sturdy four foot fence. What do you think my predator is? any suggestions would be helpful! thanks!

-would a trap work?...here's a pic

 

[Amiga]

I am not expert, but my feeling if it were around here would be fox, raccoon or coyote, or possibly domestic dog.

There is a predators and pests forum that you may want to ask, also.

I hope the coop has a floor, but if it does not, you need to get that secured before tonight. But you know that.

I have been told foxes can jump quite high, and I know that raccoons will climb fence.

 

[ducklucky]

Could be a rat also. Darn varmints. You may want to put down some chicken wire extending two feet or so around their coop, and bury it just a bit, it will eventually implant itself. This helped us a lot. Critters will find their way, and for some reason ducks will actually sit on a rat if it gets into the nest. If you have dogs as most of us do, the ducks lose their fear of critters, scary thing. Rats and mice will get through the chicken wire, but go for the small gauge. Does work. We can't watch them 24-7. Our concern is hawks and eagles, there's not much to do other than keep them penned and covered, but when they free range, I always keep an eye on them. They will spot something in the sky long before we do and go silent, just stare at the sky, but are not smart (???) enough to take cover. Your varmint could be anything. Racoons tend to be night, foxes anytime if they have a litter. Fishers are just downright nasty. Try to rotate your times if you free range and confuse the wild things, couple days am, then pm, then in for a day. That seems to work for us. Good luck!!!