Making Lemonade [Selective Culling Project - very long term]

[U_Stormcrow]

 

[U_Stormcrow]

One hatched this AM (front), another just before lunch (back)

 

[Sally PB]

One hatched this AM (front), another just before lunch (back)

Are there any more eggs under her?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Are there any more eggs under her?

10? (last count, 2 days ago, was 12 eggs) Two hatched so far, so... 10?

 

[Sally PB]

Any more hatch overnight?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

going out to feed the flock and check on mama hen. Still just the two chicks as of last evening, and one of them I hadn't seen for a while - trying not to disturb mama.

Relocated another possum yesterday after work, was TINY. The other trap had its bait remioved w/o setting off the trap. Not sure how, but its second time. That trap is on the opposite end of the pasture. Going to try and relocate it to an area with softer sand/clay muds in hopes of getting an identifiable footprint.

I *dislike* the idea that this critter is more cunning than I. Not to keep score, but its Predator 2 / Trap 0 right now.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

still just the two, snapped this picture as one of them was worming its way back under Mama's feathers. That's why you can only count one. Mama still sitting the other 10 eggs. Hopeful, but not optimistic.

 

[SourRoses]

still just the two, snapped this picture as one of them was worming its way back under Mama's feathers. That's why you can only count one. Mama still sitting the other 10 eggs. Hopeful, but not optimistic.

It seems to take a really experienced broody in these temperatures. Hopefully some more make it!

 

[Sally PB]

Relocated another possum yesterday after work, was TINY. The other trap had its bait remioved w/o setting off the trap. Not sure how, but its second time. That trap is on the opposite end of the pasture. Going to try and relocate it to an area with softer sand/clay muds in hopes of getting an identifiable footprint.

I *dislike* the idea that this critter is more cunning than I. Not to keep score, but its Predator 2 / Trap 0 right now.

Same problem. Something is eating the bait in one of my traps and not setting it off. I'm guessing, based on the size of the openings in the trap, that is is either a mouse or maybe a slender red squirrel...?

Or the tripping mechanism is not working correctly. I have caught a few animals in this trap this season, so I don't know.

What are you using as bait? I've used peanut butter and cantaloupe rind.

I've caught 4 possums, and they were definitely on the small side. So were the rabbit and wood chuck I caught.

The snap trap is up on the front porch. I have caught 6 (!) chipmunks in the past two days. Peanut butter is working very well.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Waste not, want little.

As bait, I'm using pieces of the turkey that something killed but did not manage to drag off. When I found it that morning, I quickly butchered, cleaned, parted out and froze so I could use it to bait the traps....

I've also used Sardines (good for covering human scent!)