Fox, weasel, rats

[pollitohenhouse]

I cant seem to keep the predators away. I use live traps, giant rat traps, and have built a weasel box.. . No luck at all! And i think the weasel and rats told the foxes come check this place out, cause ive seen a few and friends have seen them too. Whats next? Raccoon, skunk, bobcat, hawks? What the hell should i do? I wanna get the predators under control before i start seeing tigers and the raptors from jurrasic world!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Are they getting dinner from you? Some places just have a lot of predators. Building everything secure, and maybe using electric fencing should help. I personally have donkeys that keep most stuff away. You could try some form of stock guardian.

For rats we use poison. It's the only thing that works on them here.

 

[Howard E]

If you have rats, that may be what attracted the notice of the weasel and maybe even the fox. Weasels are one of nature's most effective rat killers, but they don't confine the carnage to just the rats, so while they may arrive for the rats, the chickens can be killed too.

For the rats, that is a long, multi-step process. Starts with elimination of food and harborage (places that shelter rats). Once you eliminate their food source, they they become receptive to eating poison bait blocks, which need to be served up from secure bait boxes. Bait boxes keep unwanted targets from finding the bait, and they also have pins that hold the bait blocks in place, so the rats can't drag them out into the open. Rats eat them there, then go home to die in their tunnels.

A coop secure enough to keep rats out will also keep the weasels out. Both can get through 1 inch holes, so chicken wire is no good. And that is wall to wall and treetop tall enclosures. Both can climb as well as dig.

Get rid of the rats, and you may get rid of your weasel. If not, the weasel box, if baited and set right, should do the trick.

And if rats and weasels can't get in, neither can a fox. If you are free ranging, then the fox has an open buffet going. He will happily keep coming back until he cleans you out. Rather than free ranging, you can setup a chicken yard, with a perimeter established by an electric fence. Done right, he will get zapped and decide no chicken is worth that and dine elsewhere.

 

[pollitohenhouse]

Since i posted this, i have trapped 5 skunks and 4 rats. Also have seen alot of racoon tracks! Im still seeing signs of things trying to dig in. This is getting a bit over whelming, its like every predator in new england is migrating to my coop. I really don't want to go with electric fencing. Why so many predators? Help

 

[Howard E]

From the predator's point of view, why not? What have they got to lose? The measures designed to keep them out are easily defeated and they get an easy meal......with no consequences to them......unless you somehow catch them. Even if you do manage to catch and kill a few, there are more waiting in the wings to take their place. How many skunks? How many rats?

With the big furry varmints, it is an electric fence that tips the scales in your favor. From the predator's point of view.....that changes everything. There are only so many near death experiences you can take before you decide no chicken is worth that.

Rats.....they are another story. See above. Not trying to beat you up here.......just trying to help by offering realistic suggestions on what works. I can sense your frustration.