I think it's a bobcat!

[stacym129]

I have a 5 foot high fence, with 3 rows barbed wire, totaling 6 feet in height. And have had a bobcat clear the fence, no problem. We have seen it come during the day while the chickens were out, too bad it happened so fast nothing could be done. Lost many many chickens, ducks, and guineas. Finally had a run completely enclosed, top, sides, even buried some. No problems since. Of course, the chickens that used to be completely free range are a bit mad that they only get out when I'm able to sit with them, but at least they aren't getting picked off constantly. And we also have a live trap, but never was able to get it to go in, only raccoons and opossums. Good luck to you, I hope you can get rid of it!!

 

[Eggs4Sale]

A few weeks ago, a bobcat came in the yard in the middle of the day to stalk a youngish orphaned cattle egret that had taken up residence in our yard. The bobcat ran off when my little girl unknowingly ran toward it. It ran out the gate and, as it turned out, it had a baby there waiting for it, hiding in the grapevine. I felt bad and thought "That's just nature if the egret gets eaten. Mama has to feed her baby." But, yes, it wouldn't be fun to lose a chicken under any circumstance. BTW: the egret disappeared after a few weeks. I wonder...

 

[catfish/okie]

Look to see if there is a trail coming to your trail coming to your pen. If so see if there is any place a cat could crawl under your pen or get through a small crack (they dont need much space at all) Follow trail to see if you can find any tracks. If you find a space under your pen see if there is any hair caught in the wire. If a bob cat starts catching chickens it will not stop until either you kill the cat or he kills all your chickens. to trap one in a live trap you need a big live trap with a petision in it you can put a live bait in and cat cant get to from outside. baricade it with sticks and leaves so it wont look like a live trap but a natural cubby. and line the bottom with dirt. If you happen to have a friend who is a fur harvester this may be your best option. If you catch cat in your pen shoot shovel and shut up. Please obey your local laws. If you do have an animal control agency in your area try this first. I think most places the law allows you to protect your property, pets, and livestock.

 

[HennysMom]

Few questions:
Do you have a tree right beside your chicken pen/coop? How would a bob cat get into your coop from the ground and if its covered in mesh/plastic? How far apart are your plastic strips? Is it like deer netting or construction plastic fencing that interweaves?

I'd say its probably a possum, skunk, raccoon or fox before a bobcat - usually you'd hear a bobcat, they're pretty good size when grown, bigger than the normal housecat. No mistaking a bobcat scream either, sounds like a cross between a baby screaming and woman in agony. Its something you'll never forget

I'd secure the top of your pen with hardwire cloth or at the very minimum, chicken wire vs. just plastic. You're asking for trouble having just plastic sitting there as it can be chewed and stretched and wears out pretty fast if the sun hits it.

 

[feather leg farms]

You should put up one of those cameras that has night vision so you can see what it is.

 

[lavacaw]

And then there were none...
It has to be smaller than a bobcat this time. I have one coon in the trap out by the big pen but the one we reinforced only had a few 4x4 inch openings in the top. Gonna put the traps out there tonight. It is so hot and dry here there is nothing for the animals to eat but eggs and chickens. Whatever it is doesn't touch rabbits so cant be a bobcat.