Need to catch me a thief!!

[pattgal]

A couple of weeks ago I lost a hen. I'm suspecting a fox because I saw one back when there was still snow out, but my rooster gets all freaked out when he see's the crows fly by.
yesterday I lost another one. DH said he heard a rucus in the woods behind us but he said it sounded like cat's fighting. I went and took a walk out there and I found the neighbor's cat still sitting in the ditch
but he was squeaky clean. not trace of an attack or blood on his face so I don't think he did it.
I looked around and there are no feathers lying around. Should I go and get my self a trap? I don't even know what size to get
I need a bigger run, I don't have enough room keep them in there

 

[schellie69]

Quote:
Any over head flying bird will cause the rooster to sound the alarm. I know mine do it for robins. The see the shadow. I take it they are out free ranging when they go missing. I would look for track if you can. Maybe a game cam you could put a small temp fence using chicken wire to keep them in a certain area to use the game cam. I know the chicken wire will not keep out any animals but if all the chickens are in one area the game cam can catch whatever is hunting your birds then you can know what trap to use. I would think more then likely its a bobcat or fox taking your birds. Sounds like something carrying the bird off for youngsters. good luck.

 

[pattgal]

Quote:
Any over head flying bird will cause the rooster to sound the alarm. I know mine do it for robins. The see the shadow. I take it they are out free ranging when they go missing. I would look for track if you can. Maybe a game cam you could put a small temp fence using chicken wire to keep them in a certain area to use the game cam. I know the chicken wire will not keep out any animals but if all the chickens are in one area the game cam can catch whatever is hunting your birds then you can know what trap to use. I would think more then likely its a bobcat or fox taking your birds. Sounds like something carrying the bird off for youngsters. good luck.

We don't have bobcats out here, thank God for that!
but there was that time I saw the fox, we have evidence of a skunk, and the neighbor complains about a racoon tearing up her attic. my other neighbor talks about a coyote bothering him at 3 am
How much does a camera like that usually go for?

 

[schellie69]

I am not sure. Do you have a local hunting store or store like walmart I know that places like that sell them. You could look on line they have some that are cheaper and some that cost a bunch. I am not sure that its a raccoon they usually hit at night and just take the head. Skunks eat the eggs and smaller chicks it could be a coyote or fox.. I hope you can catch and stop what ever it is.

 

[pattgal]

Quote:
in that case my only thought is the fox, since I saw it. I thought it was funny at the time. It was running like hell with three angry crows attacking it. then later that day the first hen went missing. then yesterday... what size cage should I get. there are a couple of places where I can get one, Canadian tire, Home depot,Kent building supplies, home hardware, the local feed store, wallmart..... Just depends on how much I want to pay for it. they are all the same make I'm pretty sure.

 

[pattgal]

So If I catch this guy is it safe to free range again. and what do I do with the body? If I release it it will just come back. I can't throw it in the garbage and I can't throw it in the woods for fear of attracting more predators (which might be why we have them in the first place), we can't eat these things eh? for fear of rabies

 

[schellie69]

I would bury the body deep and that should help. I would get a larger trap just to be safe. I hope you get it.

 

[pattgal]

Quote:
Alright, I got a trap and baited it. I have no idea where the incident happened on my lot so I put it on the side of my house that dosen't have neighbors and is wooded. I figure that's probably my best bet?
Something I've noticed We have raven's that have a nest in that wooded area. they have been watching the run very closely. is it a possiblity that a raven could have carried off a hen to her young?

 

[Dogfish]

 

[Okie Amazon]

AhA!!!!!


Edited to add, that's one heck of a nice trap!