Help!! I ned to try to find out what kind of predator got my bird!!!!

[leadwolf1]

Could also be a groundhog and as far as I know, they are harmless...except maybe to your garden

 

[wvfoxhunter]

Probably a fox or coyote. Use steel foot traps and chicken livers or gizzards or fox urine if you can get that and put it close to the whole.

 

[PAchickenlover]

Here is the mystery poop. Quorter is for sizing.

Here is the mystery hole it is about 15in, wide 12in high, and goes way back in under the fallen tree.

 

[bobbi-j]

I vote coon or fox.

 

[PAchickenlover]

Ok so the majority of the votes have been for coon or fox so far... I have a live trap that coon should fit in, now, how to bait it???? And what do I do if it is a fox?

Thanks Over run with chickens You have helped me in many areas so far since I found this forrum.

 

[PAchickenlover]

Ok I went out and took some pictures (yes in the poison Ivy) of the poop pile and the mysterious hole under the tree.

the hole is about 15in. wide 12in high and goes way back in under the fallen tree.

 

[bobbi-j]

Before you set the trap, what are your plans for whatever you catch in it? Plan on relocation NOT being an option. Bad plan all around. So, that means calling animal control if that's an option in your area, or killing it. If killing it is the only thing you can do, how do you plan on doing it? CAN you do it? Think it through before you set the trap.

ETA - I don't trap, so I have no idea what to do with the fox. DH has caught them with leg-holds, but around here they're pretty hard to catch. We're in a rural area so they're not used to much human presence or smell like they would be in the city or suburbs. I have read that people use marshmallows to catch coons in live traps. Good luck!

 

[PAchickenlover]

We are avid hunters and will have no problem disopsing of any varmit that gets in the trap. We have 10 1/2 acres and we hunt here every year for deer and squirrels. We don't have many rabbits running around, and haven't for years. We shot at least 3 foxes while we were hunting about a mile from our house last year. So we know they are in the area. Thanks for all of the responses!!!

 

[PAchickenlover]

I now have my two Live traps set with a chicken wing (store bought) in each tied with fishing line to the rear of the trap. I have one set up within feet of the hole under the tree and the other on one of the trails that go through our woods. I am crossing my fingers that we catch something in one or both! Sorry for that last post if it offended any non-hunters. It was not intended to offend anyone. So I guess what I am asking of every one right now is to wish us luck on catching the varmit's.
Thanks
Mollie

 

[PAchickenlover]

Great news!!!! When our birds came in to the coop tonight all three Speckled Sussex were there!!

Still going to kep the traps set though just to see what likes to roam though our woods.