Do you have a gun/rifle? If you don't I would get one and have it ready - predators usually return when they get hungry again. I would be sitting in the bushes < with rifle > waiting for him when he returns.
A chicken tractor is a great thing just make sure your wire is the strong very small squares type cage wire. I used chicken wire when I first started with poultry and met a predator that would put it's hand through the wire and pull off the chicks head trying to get them through the wire. I lost 2 silkie babies in one night. Also use fence staples instead of a staple gun to put the wire on the frame.
What a pretty hen, what a shame. I'm very sorry.
I have a live trap set all the time. I use p-nut butter for bait. I catch a lot of raccoons, ground hogs and opposums. Using a live trap where I am - I can take them a couple miles down the road and across the river then let them go without worrying if they will return.
You will learn a lot from your chickens and everything that goes along with them. Sometimes it's tough but I still think the enjoyment out weighs the tough times. I wish you the best.
A chicken tractor is a great thing just make sure your wire is the strong very small squares type cage wire. I used chicken wire when I first started with poultry and met a predator that would put it's hand through the wire and pull off the chicks head trying to get them through the wire. I lost 2 silkie babies in one night. Also use fence staples instead of a staple gun to put the wire on the frame.
What a pretty hen, what a shame. I'm very sorry.
I have a live trap set all the time. I use p-nut butter for bait. I catch a lot of raccoons, ground hogs and opposums. Using a live trap where I am - I can take them a couple miles down the road and across the river then let them go without worrying if they will return.
You will learn a lot from your chickens and everything that goes along with them. Sometimes it's tough but I still think the enjoyment out weighs the tough times. I wish you the best.
