How about keeping a live trap going 24/7 in season?

[theFox]

Quote:
I set on the sign the critter leaves what ever trail the animal is making coming to the birds. I either set right in the trail or right beside it depending on where I am and what type trap I am using.

x2 plus if you really want to know about the critter you are after Google can be your friend.

Even, if there are no sign that you can see, a couple of traps around your run is usually an excellent place, after all nothing like the chickens (and eggs) on the other side of the run as bait. After all you are after chicken predators.

 

[jmc]

Quote:
exactly. one could end up with a trap mangled to death by a black bear if one put the right thing in at the right time. we also have bears here.............

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

Well after posting yesterday that we hadn't caught anything in our trap that had been set for some time, we went out to an oppossum this morning! Needless to say, the trap will be reset tonight...where there is one oppossum...

Anyway, I was pretty darn proud of my son (he's almost 10) and he did his duty to protect his birds for the very first time!

And we discussed the whole thing about how we shouldn't be happy we have to do it, but it's our job to protect our birds.

 

[deerman]

I would like to point out ,i keep traps set around the pens, not removing those in the woods. If they stay put ,they live in peace. Come after the birds ,thats it.

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

Quote:
Yep! Me too - I hadn't responded to the placement question, but my trap is right next to the gate of my chicken run, right where "something" has been digging, trying to get in...

 

[jmc]

Quote:
would you be so kind as to explain your post? i don't quite understand what you are saying. I'm kinda drowsy today..........

thanks!!

 

[jmc]

the below pic looks to the south east. The tird of the "mink" (?) was in the sand right outside the white structure. I NOW PLACE A MINK/SKUNK sized trap here nightly. the tird was left exactly 3 weeks ago tonight. Nothing has come back. I also saw some sort of tracks around the cage in the sand, too. but the sand didn't record the tracks well. again, this was all three weeks ago............nothing since

In the below pic. we are looking west...........you can see the whole perimeter fence from this angle.

I had been placing a coon sized havahart way beyond our area, at the woodland's edge. Our compost is there. never seen any signs of anything, though. Just thought that might be a possible spot.

BUT in the light of recent posts, i have it now set up along the western side of our range. that is the side closest to the woods, but obviously not on its edge anymore. get it. Comments?

Any comments as to where YOU would place a trap in this setting. I GUESS YOU ARE ALL VOTING FOR JUST AROUND THE PERIMETER FENCE, MORE OR LESS. AND NOT NEAR OR IN THE WOODS.

 

[deerman]

Yes would set them around the outside fence. If placing them in the woods, here in Ohio they would say your traping out of season.

By setting them near the pens, its proof your only protecting your birds. Now during traping season , ok to set them back in the woods.

 

[jmc]

thanks, deerman.

btw if anyone is still on this thread, i hope to start a thread asking for people to post photos of their traps set up and ready for action..........

 

[jmc]

another thing about bait eggs.

they will freeze readily and split in the cold weather;
and
once they get exposed to rain...........you might as well have washed them yourself, cuz now the 'smell' is gone...............sort of.