Official BYC Poll: The Worst Predator

[pgoossen]

I lost my Rooster to a coon last night.

He did what he was supposed to do though, he kept that VARMINT away from my four hens.

I found him with just his head gone. I must have scared away the critter before he could get a meal. The live trap comes out today for some easy hunting.

 

[okie2]

Quote:
I agree yesterday neighbors dog killed 21 chicks of the 50 I had 3 weeks old.
last month a Texas rat snake got 4 of my 2 week old guineas.

 

[clayhillcouple]

I just had the last of my flock wiped out by a raccoon.

 

[chickbird]

My Husband Went To Shut Our Chickens Up For The Night And There Was A Large Possum Going Into The Middle Chicken House. Luckily, He Got There As He Was Entering The Coop And He Did Not Have Time To Kill Any Of My Chcikens. For Snakes If You Will Use The Vinyl Netting That Is For Placing Over Trees To Keep Birds From Eating Fruit, Just Staple A Couple Of Layers To The Coop /cage Sides And It Will Catch Any Snake Before They Get In . I Have One Pen And I Have Trapped 7 Within A 2 Month Period. The Netting Is Cheap And Very Effective, It Even Trapped A Large Fox That Was Trying To Get In.

 

[dfriloux]

We've lost two hens to a hawk this week! There were two "crime" scenes with the first one--a big pile of feathers by the outer fence and smaller one by the pond fence and a "whitewash" of poo all over the palm tree. I've read this indicates a hawk or owl. No sign of her body anywhere. Yesterday, a hawk took another one leaving a small pile of feathers, but nothing else. We've had these hens for six months and just started letting them free range outside their own little fenced-in yard about a month ago and now two are dead! We're building their fence in their own little yard much higher and trying to figure out a way to put netting over the top of it in hopes of keeping out the birds of prey! It's a pity they can't roam freely in the big yard, but at least they'll stay alive!

Once we've made it safe again, I would like to add two chicks back to the flock. I've heard that if you just kind of sneak them in one at a time while they're sleeping at night, they might just accept her without a fuss. Any thoughts on that?

 

[carlyb]

Lost 12 chickens to raccoons. They somehow managed to open the super heavy chicken door. The chickens are now very secure in their house. Set a hav-a-heart trap outside the chicken the chicken coop and last summer caught 17 raccoon, 6 possum, and a poor stray cat ( the same one twice ). Took them all to the local park to release them ( except the cat, he stayed )

So other than the raccons and possum, we have two hawks nests in nearby trees, a family of fox, and a new neighbor dog that just attacked one of my chickens ( luckily only stripped it of its tail feathers, still alive and well, just scared ). Feel so bad for my chickens. Would like to make them all little suits of armor to protect them : )

 

[The Wolf Queen]

Im gonna say coon. I havent had problems with them...yet but from what ive heard from others on here coons are the big trouble makers.

 

[Scooter&Suzie]

Quote:
I agree. Lost my Rooster, Scooter (Curently my picture) and his silkie girlfriend to a raccoon. They can open latches... Scary!

 

[workinnanie]

Quote:
So sorry. Hope you get the coon! watch out they Can ber very nasty!

 

[sanctus7]

If anyone is losing a chicken at dusk or in the dark it could be an owl.
They like to eat the head and leave the body behind..
I have bald eagles and owls so if I lose one to them I will have to shrug my shoulders and call it a loss.
Both are magnificent birds.