Help Me Identify This Predator!

[kallan]

Butch, my cochin roo, was killed last night by something that scaled the chicken wire and got over the 6 foot chicken wire and under the heavy deer cloth on the top. This was going to be a temporary setup....actually, today, I had planned to put him in with three hens. I feel SO bad that I had left an area big enough for something to get in. The only thing remaining of my roo is his beak and some downy feathers. This is the most recent photo, he is only 10 weeks old. I wish I had taken an updated picture of him....he had filled out, his color was amazing and he was so handsome. He always followed me around like a dog and loved to cluck, cluck, cluck and try to feed me. He was so gentle and would eat out of my hand ever so delicately. He is going to be so greatly missed and I hope he can forgive me for allowing this to happen to him. He would have had a better chance out in the open. I woke up with so much energy and since this, I just can't stop crying as I go about my daily chores.

What would eat almost everything except the beak? I have seen coons at night, but from reading about predators on here, it sounds like it might not be them. I am setting up three traps tonight and see what I get.

 

[iwiw60]

Raccoons are famous for killing just for the thrill of it, but I still think it was most likely a raccoon, but could have been a bob cat or fox also. Did you find any tracks? So very sorry for the loss of your roo....now it's time to take a deep breath, pull yourself up by your boot straps and get to reinforcing your entire setup.....mainly because this scumbag predator WILL be back.

Can you possibly post some pics of your coop/run, etc.? This way we can better help you in reinforcing your setup.

 

[kallan]

Raccoons are famous for killing just for the thrill of it, but I still think it was most likely a raccoon, but could have been a bob cat or fox also. Did you find any tracks? So very sorry for the loss of your roo....now it's time to take a deep breath, pull yourself up by your boot straps and get to reinforcing your entire setup.....mainly because this scumbag predator WILL be back.

Can you possibly post some pics of your coop/run, etc.? This way we can better help you in reinforcing your setup.

In this temporary setup, I used the heavy duty green garden 6 foot stakes driven in deeply and used the smaller 1" chicken wire as covering. The top, unfortunately, was just black vinyl heavy duty 1" deer netting, which would have been fine, if I hadn't left a gap on the side large enough for something to squeeze into. My main coop is set up like Fort Knox, but will inspect it again just to make sure. The only place the roo had to sleep was in a large rubbermaid container that I had screwed a perch, etc. into. He seemed to be fine with that. I keep beating myself up for not just putting him in with the three hens sooner.... he was reared with them so it wouldn't have been a problem at all. He was such a dear to me.

Last night around 10 pm, a coon triggered one of the traps. I moved him to the garage and after breakfast will use my vehicle to put him/her to sleep. I hate doing this. I saw one run away when this one was trapped, so there must be several out there. Will continue to trap for a while.

 

[iwiw60]

Pics??

 

[lenz48]

Coins usually kill for sport. They will eat the eggs but not much else. However. I think a coins the only thing climbing up and over!

 

[kallan]

Coon has been dispatched. I guess I should have let the car run a bit to clear the exhaust of moisture. The warmth and moisture were probably just as lethal. It definitely did not take long before his final breath....30 seconds. I let it run about 5 minutes and then my husband took it to the grave he dug for him and I believe he cut off his head just to make sure before burying him. I am such a softy when it comes to killing things. I prefer to let the wild critters live, but after seeing how my roo died, at least this was a little more merciful for the raccoon.

 

[kallan]

Pics??

 

[iwiw60]

Definitely was a raccoon from the pics you sent...the scumbags have a nasty habit of ripping their heads off. Now that the devastation has passed, it's time to take a deep breath, pick yourselves up by your boot straps, and re-think your enclosures. Use of chicken wire and that netting, living in the predator-crazy area of the country that you live in, will do nothing to deter them or other predators as well. I highly recommend using only 1/2" hardware cloth, buried 6-12" at the bottom apron-style:




Wishing you all the very best, and keep us updated as to your progress!!

 

[6of6chicks]

Oh my gosh, those pics were horrible. I can't imagine coming out and finding that. I know you must be shocked and devastated and I am SO sorry that happened to your sweet roo!

There's a lesson in it for all of us, though, so thank you for sharing your story.

I've been doing my own research on the most humane ways to kill a predator. I've got a possum problem myself at the moment, and will be trapping, but I had already decided to use the car method that you did. I agree with you that it seems the most merciful way to go.

Again, I'm so very sorry for your loss!