im worried i may have another predator problem....

[kryptoniteqhs]

I went outside to feed this morning and my BLR cockerel and my silkie cockerel are missing.

I only let 6 of my 25 birds free range and of course two come up missing. No sign of anything. The only other clue is that I didnt get any eggs this morning for anyone. Ive been having problems with my layers "laying" for a while now, but just in the last week they have picked up and today, NOTHING. I figure someone or someoneS came by and snatched my two boys and scared the poop out of everyone so no one laid? This really stinks! I needed that BLR roo! Im so upset. Ill I had was a pair and now a pullet with no bf. How I am I supposed to make more now!!!!!??????????? AHHHHHHHHHHH! They are nice too! I would just die right now if I didnt have to be at work in 20 minutes!

 

[Little Ameraucana Mom]

What a bummer !! Maybe they will show up.

 

[jeremy]

we've got oppossums visiting our coop right now at night. after seeing them on the side of our house, not too long after we found broken eggshells all over the run and in our garage.

i'd say get a live-trap and see what visitors you've got in the morning. animal control can take care of them after that.

 

[kryptoniteqhs]

my .22 can take of it lol......i did set a trap and locked everyone up for the night. well see what happens

 

[jeremy]

that's true, but whatever the predator may be, it's only acting instinctually. it's not maliciously coming after your flock or their eggs.

so i think the more humane approach, calling animal control and having it removed/relocated, would be a better alternative to death for the varmit.

 

[kryptoniteqhs]

well....the only other option, rather than killing it, would be relocating it, which is not a very smart idea if you dont want it coming back. if its something like a raccoon (just an example) it will travel miles back to where it knows there is reliable food.