Killing varmits

[khakimom14]

Hey there guys, I could use some tips for trapping and killing varmits. I had a very sad Saturday, when I went to let out my babies I noticed that something got into the coop, took one of my ducks and injured another. The injured one did not survive. I can't help but feel like a bad mom

This is my first encounter with this, and any tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated. I will be setting out a have a heart trap and killing anything that gets into it, I know it sounds harsh, but I have gone into momma bear mode. Thanks!

 

[Amiga]

Sad for your loss.

Half inch metal hardware cloth is really helpful. So is electrified poly wire just outside the pen (where the ducks cannot contact it).

There is a forum on pests and predators here where you might find loads of information.

Whatever it was will be back. Please be sure there is no gap larger than half an inch diameter. You may want to borrow a game camera to be sure of what you have.

If possible you may want to consider bringing them in somewhere more secure till you go over the shelter with a fine toothed comb and find out how it got in. Really, they come back till they have gotten all the ducks.

Raccoons and others are stronger than you may realize - and predators can sometimes squeeze between loose boards.

 

[khakimom14]

Ok, I will check that out. I put a game camera out last night, and a trap. I know exactly where it got in, I fixed that too. I live in Maine, and we have everything here from fox, to skunks, to raccoons

 

[Amiga]

We are in the suburbs, but very near hundreds of acres of state forest - I feel the wild animals have a right to a decent life - but it puts us very close together with bobcats, fishers, raccoons, the long list.

I hope your repairs keep any more tragedies from occurring.

 

[diamondduck]

I live in the inner city there are Predators here also. dogs cats people and the Occasional coyote besides predator birds. I wish i can put a fence around my lake but other people live here also. For the most part these ducks and geese make ot but some dont. It breaks my heart also

 

[khakimom14]

I am comforted with the fact that im not the only one, I now have 5 babies and I am almost 100 percent sure theyre all males... I will steak out all night with a gun if I have too to keep predetors at bay....

 

[Roy31]

One of my mallard hens died today from a stray cat, it was a sad day here too. I'm putting out box traps and I fixed the fence and made sure there is no way they can get in anymore. Box traps has worked in the past with me and we get around the same animals

 

[Farmer Mim]

So sorry for your loss. Was this during the day? Hardware cloth is great for securing coops. I honestly don't understand why you would kill a wild animal for doing what animals do. It's our responsibility to secure our birds.

 

[Amiga]

Just a note for future readers - Farmer Mim refers to hardware cloth. This is the half-inch, metal kind. There is a product at some big box stores labelled "hardware cloth" that is nothing more than plastic poultry fence, and that will not protect your fowl.

 

[Roy31]

I'm thinking it was really early in the morning but I didn't go see them till around 1 when I got home. It was real sad cuz she was sitting on her nest and all the eggs are gone too.