Official BYC Poll: The Worst Predator

[toby1959]

We have had skunks, dogs, hawks, and foxes all. The foxes are the worst as they just keep coming back. We have shot the momma and last year's baby so far this year. Lost five pullets and a duck last night. We have tried trapping but get opossums and cats. Up at daybreak tomorrow!

 

[Opa]

Quote:
Go back a couple of pages to my post 469

 

[minihorse927]

I have had my most causualties to dogs, strays and the neighbors. One year I lost a lot and it took me forever to figure out what was doing it cause they would only kill smaller juvenile birds. It was rats killing them but I have not had anymore problems after poisoning the colony of them.

 

[maggiemmm]

15 coons and counting
Peanut butter / cat food canned/ marshmallows .... the three things a coon cannot resist. the neighbor ( cherry trees) shot 115 raccoons this winter. They can strip a cherry tree in three hours. I usually give them a BLB.... that is what i have decided to call it .... Bin Laden Burial - in the lake. They are carriers of rabies, they can destroy an entire chicken coop in one night. I do that with weasels too.
Yes, I am hard hearted. but my "girls" come when called and don't harm anything but the bugs!!.... well, an occasional strawberry that I do not fence off.....

 

[laseterlass]

I do not know what it was. When I got my very first banty as a kid in Oklahoma mountains. I went out one morning before school and reached under my hen to say hi to the babies and the only things under there was wings, heads, gizzards and legs! Never did figure it out. 4 chicks in one night and left the parts and the chickens never made a sound! Momma did not even seem to notice! After that my momma and babies went into a dog kennel every night!

 

[Abirdbrain]

Hey! my pard turned me onto this board, and we have a growing flock. We had 66 birds, but have now lost 2 to an unknown. Here in the Midwet, It is Stupid neighbor dogs, Racoons, Possum, and Thieves. (based on previous experience). We have 3 mobile tractor coops, with another in the works. We have Barn cats that keep small animals at bay, but the hawks circle endlessly, and are bold in daytime. At night Coons and Possum are the worst.

Skunk are not tolerated here. The last ones were wiped out some years ago, by putting 6 inch stovepipe in a post hole in the ground, and baiting it with a chicken neck. A skunk will dive in for the bait, and get stuck, not being able to back out. A .22 short is the cure. This does not work for possum and Coon, as they seem to be more agile, and get out.

I have a live trap set now at night, with a cat food can just pierced, we will see if I get anything in the future.

 

[drumstick diva]

lasterlass boy, you were a tough kid. If I had that experience reaching under the chicken, I'd still be in a padded room and screaming for my momma.

 

[Alexander]

I chose man.Not for fun but he is the worst predator.Fences won't stop him.

 

[Chickencoop1996]

Weasels and coons here.

 

[Attila the Honey]

Whatever gets your chickens is the worst predator. In my case, it was a bird of prey of some sort. I am guessing Harris' hawk. I found a hawk feather in the alley, so I am hoping Louise went out with one hell of a fight.

I woke yesterday morning at 0500 to the sound of screaming chickens. I jumped out of bed, opened the door to find most of my girls cowering in fright. There were 2 standing at the fence frantically calling for their friend. I took a head count, came up 2 short. I searched and searched and finally I found one of my RIR's hidden. I pulled her out and saw she had a patch on her back where there used to be feathers. I looked for my other hen, but had to go to work, so I left and decided to ride down the alley behind my house. About a 1/2 block away, I found a very large pile of Barred Rock feathers. RIP Louise...my favorite hen.