How do I kill this thing?

[Blooie]

I missing something here. If something is getting into the coop and killing chickens how can the coop be secured?

I was wondering that too.

 

[bobbi-j]

I was wondering how to kill a mink, weasel, fox, coon, or possibly the cat that came here recently. Not sure which it is yet, but coons normally take eggs not birds, right? Anyways it has taken half the flock in three days, they are little, like they fully feathered a month ago, and I've tried closing the coop, and opening the coop, it doesn't matter what I do it takes a bunch at a time, I was thinking about spending the night there without sleeping to figure out what it was, but I don't have a hand gun, only shotguns and a broken rifle that I need to send to get fixed, so like I said, how do I kill it, I'd be willing to get a tarrier for Pete's sake! It's just I'm so far away from a breeder, or a rescue that has one, I might as well get a handgun, so basically how do I kill it without hurting my birds?

Thanks a ton in advance!

A weasel is too small to carry them off. They will kill and lap up the blood. At least that's my experience with them. I went to do chores one morning and found half my flock of 6 weeks old dead, with little bite marks either on the neck or under the wing. A coon will take chickens as easily as it will take eggs. If you have a hole big enough for a coon to get through, it shouldn't be that hard to find. Mink are a little trickier as they don't need a very big space to get through. They will also carry off your birds. I highly doubt that spending the night out there would help - your critter would probably smell you and decide not to come in. You're far better off setting a trap. A terrier would be no match for a coon and could also become a problem with your chickens. Your coop really isn't secure if something is getting in. Spend an hour or two and go over every inch of it to find your weak spot.

 

[keesmom]

I do plan on seeing where to fix where ever their coming in, but I also know that I kinda need a short term answer before I can do that because that takes a lot of time.

Fixing your setup should be a priority. If one critter can get in so can others. Crate the survivors in your basement, garage, barn or other secure location at night until you find where the predator is getting in.

 

[LoganTW]

Ok so I went to get a handgun, it won't be all aproved and what not until Saturday, and I moved the chicks to the coop with the older chickens, so I will try and get some traps to put around here, and for now, thank you for everyone who responded!

 

[jtn42248]

Ok so I went to get a handgun, it won't be all aproved and what not until Saturday, and I moved the chicks to the coop with the older chickens, so I will try and get some traps to put around here, and for now, thank you for everyone who responded!

Please, please, please make sure you know how to use the weapon you have purchased. And, please be sure to secure it when it is not in use. I know these are things that you probably already know but a handgun is for defense and you want to make certain that all possible accidents are addressed before they happen. I hope you get the critter that is taking your birds. I know I have had to dispatch several raccoon's, a couple of rattlesnakes and a flying predator that shall gone unnamed or admitted. Do what must be done but also do what others have suggested...make sure that nothing can get to your birds in the future.

 

[dalaitom]

Not sure what caliber pistol you got...but you might consider getting some shot shells. They're like birdshot in a handgun size shell. If your fairly close to the predator, it would likely be a lot easier to hit your (moving) target with these. But you would also have to be careful about not hitting one of your flock with a stray pellet..

 

[Tracydr]

I'd first try a live trap, if no luck try a .20 guage or .410 shotgun.
A pellet gun would work on small predators.

 

[LoganTW]

Not sure what caliber pistol you got...but you might consider getting some shot shells. They're like birdshot in a handgun size shell. If your fairly close to the predator, it would likely be a lot easier to hit your (moving) target with these. But you would also have to be careful about not hitting one of your flock with a stray pellet..

I got a 9mm,

Please, please, please make sure you know how to use the weapon you have purchased. And, please be sure to secure it when it is not in use. I know these are things that you probably already know but a handgun is for defense and you want to make certain that all possible accidents are addressed before they happen. I hope you get the critter that is taking your birds. I know I have had to dispatch several raccoon's, a couple of rattlesnakes and a flying predator that shall gone unnamed or admitted. Do what must be done but also do what others have suggested...make sure that nothing can get to your birds in the future.

I do know how to shoot pistols, I have been meaning to get one anyways, I'll be going to the sheriffs office and getting a gun lock, and I'll also keep it in a locked case when I'm not using it!

 

[vbob99]

I got a 9mm,


I do know how to shoot pistols, I have been meaning to get one anyways, I'll be going to the sheriffs office and getting a gun lock, and I'll also keep it in a locked case when I'm not using it!

practice practice practice. lock should come with gun if new. an unloaded, locked, cased firearm is very safe but also very useless. the best gun safety is your brain use it when dealing with any deadly item. a firearm is always loaded even when you have just unloaded it. you know your limits and safety concerns better than anyone else but i would still recommend going over everything with the gun shop

 

[paprikash]

I got a 9mm,


I do know how to shoot pistols, I have been meaning to get one anyways, I'll be going to the sheriffs office and getting a gun lock, and I'll also keep it in a locked case when I'm not using it!

Every gun sale must come with a lock from the dealer, its the law.
No matter how experienced you are with a handgun its going to be pure luck if you hit the predator. Make sure your using frangible or at least hollow point ammo to limit the ricochet