Ghost predator is wiping out my flock. Help!

[chickortreat]

Unless you are using your chickens as bait, there is no need or reason to trap predators. Predator proof your coops and runs, make sure they go in them at night and then use your game cams,ect. to enjoy the wildlife, rather than to watch them get lunch. Its a lot easier on the blood pressure, because you don't lose chickens that way.

Rather firm an opinion, eh? I enjoy predator hunting/trapping, and will continue to do it, even should I decide to get rid of chickens, which I do not foresee. I was shooting predators long before I got my chickens.

 

[Jungleexplorer]

Unless you are using your chickens as bait, there is no need or reason to trap predators. Predator proof your coops and runs, make sure they go in them at night and then use your game cams,ect. to enjoy the wildlife, rather than to watch them get lunch. Its a lot easier on the blood pressure, because you don't lose chickens that way.

I have a free range flock that ranges far and wide and are at risk attack during the day too. But I also consider all of the wild game animals (rabbits, quail, turkeys, etc) as part of my livestock and have invested much energy and resources into seeing them thrive on my land. The predator population in Texas is out of control and according to the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife, the Bobwhite quail my be put on the endangered species list in the next decade as a result of over population of predators, especially the Bobcat. So I have many reasons for wanting to decrease the predator population, not just protecting my flock of chickens.

 

[centrarchid]

I have a free range flock that ranges far and wide and are at risk attack during the day too. But I also consider all of the wild game animals (rabbits, quail, turkeys, etc) as part of my livestock and have invested much energy and resources into seeing them thrive on my land. The predator population in Texas is out of control and according to the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife, the Bobwhite quail my be put on the endangered species list in the next decade as a result of over population of predators, especially the Bobcat. So I have many reasons for wanting to decrease the predator population, not just protecting my flock of chickens.

It is habitat quality, more predator density. Managing for quality habitat over smaller areas not able to compensate in a area so seriously degraded like most of Texas. Your patch is almost certainly small. Do research on where quail populations are healthy in Texas to see pattern. Politcal pressure likely part of reason predators are reported by government officials as being main problem.

 

[Jungleexplorer]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

 

[joelman7]

Wow! You will never guess what happened? Here I was stressed about whether to go and talk to my neighbor about his dogs and risk making an enemy or just shoot, shovel and shut up. I decided to pray and ask God to provide a solution. Well, both dogs were hit and killed by cars yesterday. I am not kidding! They are both laying dead on the road, the one that killed the 13 chickens and my son wounded, and the one I caught on video attacking the pen. And NO, it was not me who hit them. There is no need for my to go and talk to my neighbor now. The problem has been solved. Thank you Lord!

good things always happen to people who wait

 

[bobbi-j]

So, back to your original issue with something pulling your chickens through the fencing. Would it be possible for you to reinforce that fencing with 1/2" hardware cloth? That's the first thing I would do - make it impossible (or at least more difficult) for something to do that. Not much you can do for your free-rangers, but that is the risk when they are free-ranged. (Mine are free-ranged as well, and I'm willing to take that chance.) Good luck on getting your critter(s)! I wouldn't be surprised if you have more than one.

 

[Jungleexplorer]

So, back to your original issue with something pulling your chickens through the fencing. Would it be possible for you to reinforce that fencing with 1/2" hardware cloth? That's the first thing I would do - make it impossible (or at least more difficult) for something to do that. Not much you can do for your free-rangers, but that is the risk when they are free-ranged. (Mine are free-ranged as well, and I'm willing to take that chance.) Good luck on getting your critter(s)! I wouldn't be surprised if you have more than one.

I am building completely new winter pens with little roosting coops in them. My summer pen is just open with roosting poles and the hens that got killed were roosting next to the edge. There will be no way for the hens to roost next to the edge of these new pens and they should be roosting inside protected coops. I am planning on building the coops with wire bottoms with tracks I can slide a solid floor in for really cold nights.

 

[Feanor]

Wow! You will never guess what happened? Here I was stressed about whether to go and talk to my neighbor about his dogs and risk making an enemy or just shoot, shovel and shut up. I decided to pray and ask God to provide a solution. Well, both dogs were hit and killed by cars yesterday. I am not kidding! They are both laying dead on the road, the one that killed the 13 chickens and my son wounded, and the one I caught on video attacking the pen. And NO, it was not me who hit them. There is no need for my to go and talk to my neighbor now. The problem has been solved. Thank you Lord!

OMG That's amazing! I can't tell you how many times I've hoped to see a pair of local chicken killers on the side of the road! This post is so funny. Are you sure it wasn't you behind the wheel??? We'd never tell

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Coons and bobcats are all I can think of that can reach through a wire fence or go bobbing for chickens like they are Halloween apples.