I killed my first predators last night

[WalkingWolf]

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I have two and a dog. And they in the past had killed my neighbors chickens when they jumped my fence and came into the yard. I really felt bad for my neighbors children even though it was not their fault.

My wolfs will not bother our parrots they know they are pets. So I started with two ducks and a chicken to teach them to leave them alone even in our own yard. Now we have over 50 chickens and 6 ducks. I can let Abby and Sheba roam with the birds in complete safety. Bubba just never could catch on, but he has always been the night watchman here, and now he serves not only us by protecting property but protecting the livestock.

But also by being what they are and their scent and howls have made the neighborhood safer for the children. Raccoon and possum bites are common in NC, and unless the animal is caught it results in a series of painful shots for the children. You see predators are not only dangerous to chickens, but children as well.

BTW my neighbor is now training a pup to be a chicken guardian, so his birds can safely free range, and sleep soundly knowing he will protect them. He already chased off a fox, while the children played, even though he was probably playing at this young age.

 

[wanda047]

We owned a wolf once... named Sequoyah. She was beautiful and I loved to hear her howl. I even have it recorded. We rehomed Sequoyah when we started foster care. Even though she had her rabies shots, vet said there was no proof that the vaccine was effective with wolves. It was a sad day when she left. Maybe you can post some photos of your wolves in a different thread, since we're hijacking this one. (sorry!)

 

[WalkingWolf]

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I will have to get around to taking some. Like a fool I had my pictures, some movies, and music on a large hard drive on my server. I kept a portable hard drive for backup. The big hard drive completely crashed and for some reason the backup erased when it did.

 

[Mrs. Glassman]

I'd have done the same thing. Only I probably would have set out a live trap, so I could kill it at my convenience.....and neatly so I could have tried to tan the hide, if it were a raccoon.

If it were a opossum, I might have just tied a rope to the trap & tossed it out into the pond. Then the turtles could feast on it.

I have little to no tolerance for a predator making an easy snack out of something I have put so much effort into.

I know all that sounds harsh, but if anything is gonna be eating my chickens, it's gonna be ME.

 

[Boyd]

Mrs. Glassman :

I'd have done the same thing. Only I probably would have set out a live trap, so I could kill it at my convenience.....and neatly so I could have tried to tan the hide, if it were a raccoon.

If it were a opossum, I might have just tied a rope to the trap & tossed it out into the pond. Then the turtles could feast on it.

I have little to no tolerance for a predator making an easy snack out of something I have put so much effort into.

I know all that sounds harsh, but if anything is gonna be eating my chickens, it's gonna be ME.

 

[wanda047]

Mrs. Glassman :

I'd have done the same thing. Only I probably would have set out a live trap, so I could kill it at my convenience.....and neatly so I could have tried to tan the hide, if it were a raccoon.

If it were a opossum, I might have just tied a rope to the trap & tossed it out into the pond. Then the turtles could feast on it.

Possum hide is extremely beautiful and soft...

They have an undercoat which is almost like cotton.​

 

[citrusdreams]

I'm proud of you Morgaine. I'm glad you were able to protect your own. It's important for us to take responsibility for the animals we are charged to protect when we domesticate them and give them homes.

They deserve our protection, and without being confined to a postage stamp day in and day out.

 

[ticker9400]

I raise my chickens and put alot of time and effort into them BUT I also kill and eat chicken that feeds my family.. protecting food for my table is only natural to me and if I ever have to kill a racoon or anything else on my property that I pay taxes on then in the pot it goes

,well maybe not the neighbors cat

 

[Mrs. Glassman]

"Possum hide is extremely beautiful and soft...

They have an undercoat which is almost like cotton."

I was not aware of that...all I know is how bad they smell...might try it next time!

 

[bluey]

Quote:
I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds that quote offensive. Maybe your focus should be on caring for your own chickens...

I dispatch of pest species predators (raccoons and opposum) and our land is a wildlife "sanctuary" for deer, wild turkey, squirrell, rabbits, songbirds and many other species including raptors whose habitats and food source are threatened by overpopulation of raccoons and opossum.

Feel free to check my BYC page for pictures.

I "employ" a few good mousing cats to keep the small rodent population at bay near the house and I dispatch of the nuisance animals that my cats are not capable of controlling, that in my area, have very few natural predators.

Proper wildlife management is impossible without selective hunting. That's the entire basis that our states' DNRs are founded upon. They are the experts entrusted to the protection of our wildlife species. I do always advocate that everyone comply with their particular state's DNR rules.

Whether we choose to believe it or not, hunters are critical to successful wildlife management.