MY WORST FEAR CAME TRUE!!

[Simmonsfunnyfrm]

I'm not 100% sure it was dogs. But i've never seen a raccoon around my place. These dogs however, are almost always present. I've put heavier latches and snaps on the latches. I dont think a raccoon, dog or any other 4 legged creature will be getting these open.

This spring when I had a predator problem, I was deathly afraid it was a cat I had seen in my fenced in yard where the coop is. I love cats. I think cats are the only animal I love more than chickens haha! Needless to say I absolutely did not want to kill it. So I put out a live trap halfway in my coop, halfway out so it appeared that there was an easy entry into the coop. You know what I caught? A great horned owl lol!!! The last thing I expected!!! I live in AR too and I can tell you, your predator may be the last thing you expect until you catch it red handed. (or red-pawed, or red winged haha!) Good luck confronting it. I have to say though, if it were a stray dog without an owner and a mission to eat my chickens, I'd follow the three S's as well...

 

[Triplell]

This morning was extremly sad! I lost 3 drakes and 4 ducks. We had a severe storm again and the only drake to make it I had to put down. His injury's were to bad and his neck was very damaged. That makes half of my duck flock gone in one week!! Gonna have to put up netting in some how with out breaking the bank! It has to be and owl or eagle cause their is no evidence of them even being there.

 

[bwalden]

This morning was extremly sad!

I lost 3 drakes and 4 ducks. We had a severe storm again and the only drake to make it I had to put down. His injury's were to bad and his neck was very damaged. That makes half of my duck flock gone in one week!! Gonna have to put up netting in some how with out breaking the bank! It has to be and owl or eagle cause their is no evidence of them even being there.

Sorry for you loss. It's very aggrivating to spend the time and money just to lose them like that. I feel your pain.

 

[Triplell]

Wouldn't you just know it, I lost another 3 ducks last night. This makes 6 ducks in 3 day's and plus 1 more from this spring. Out of my 10 Rouens I have now lost 6 and amnow gonna fight to the death for my last 4!!! We have just cut down 3 trees that had some branches hanging over for shade Ohwell! We also have put up 4 strand electric fencing that we use for the cows. It will be funny to see something touch that as I have and **** it hurts like HELL!!!! I have let all my other ducks and geese loose so they have more room to run away from what ever this creature is. Tomarrow we will have the fencing all done. My husband and I are also gonna stay up all night to see this thing and hopefull kill it and we also have bought 8 live traps and set them out as well.I will win this battle, Iwill I will!!

 

[Fire-Chicken]

BWalden,

I too, am sorry to hear about your loss.

I just lost all 4 of mine on the 4th of July. They just started laying on the 1st (2 Buff Orpingtons and 2 Americaunas).

I am currently doing some research on an electric fence. Go to the 'predator' page under 'raising backyard chickens'. Another person led me to some good links he wrote, everything about electric fences.

The raccoons that got mine, tore the welded wire outward and then made entry. I am going to repair and replace the 1/4" weld wire, AND, add another stronger layer such as 12 gauge, or, a chain link layer to the outside, then, frame it in with 2x4's and 4" screws. That should be strong enough for bears, dogs, raccoons, snakes, and mice.

FYI, I built a 'stilt', barn style coop. My pen is completely underneath the coop. It is 3' high x 4' wide x 8' long. So, when I frame in the second, stronger layer of fence, I'll frame it in to all 6 legs, and the cross-members.

Then, I'll add the electric fence. Go to Tractor Supply, I think the solar, 2-mile electric fence application should suffice. I've got 6 weeks to make the improvements, so this time, I'll take my time.

I hope some of my suggestions help! Good luck. Let me know if you have any other questions. I'm a newbie, but I do my research. From south Florida where we have black bears and panthers (both endangered), raccoons, bobcats, foxes, ect...

Fire-chicken