Official BYC Poll: The Worst Predator

[SixLilChicks]

Luckily no deaths yet, although on chicken had her tail feathers pulled out by a dog. We've caught raccoons, though. Those suckers weigh at least 25-35 lbs...
I voted coon and dog, but I voted man because its their fault that the dogs get at the hens.

 

[lamoka]

I have lost chickens to Raccoons, Possums, Hawks, Fox, Weasel, and just recenty Mink. I have to say the Weasel and Mink have been the hardest for me to deal with it is pretty difficult to make your run mink or Weasel proof the rest of the critters I would just lock the chicks up in there run intill I could get the critter causing problems. Plus the Mink and Weasel tend to kill multiple birds when they raid the chicken coop.

 

[soldonold]

The only problem I've had has been with coyotes. My chickens are securely locked in at night, but I let them roam around the backyard with my dogs during the day. I lost four chickens at dusk before they went in but I didn't know what did it, and then a few days later, a coyote jumped the fence and killed three in broad daylight with my three dogs including my couch lab (lazy dog) in the backyard cowering in terror. My husband chased it off, got the dogs in the house, tied a couple of the chickens in the tree, and waited inside at the bedroom window. The stupid thing was back within 10 minutes trying to get them out of the tree when the problem got solved. At one time I felt kind of sorry for coyotes, but no more! There are at least a million cottontail rabbits in the front yard -- why not them instead of my chickens !!!

 

[cntrywmnkw]

DOGS without a doubt.!!! I have lost a couple to hawks, coyotes & a fox, but, dogs have caused the most damage, lost 1/2 my flock at one time once due to a pack of dogs. I do free range, BUT ONLY, while I'm right there with them, armed with a 20ga shotgun with #3 or #4 buckshot or a 7mm-08.

 

[outdoorsii]

As I said b4 in a post a long time ago, foxes were our worst enemy - but now all of them are gone, no coyotes here either, but NOW we have a huge OWL problem....barred owl....in arkansas in our backyard at 3:30pm in broad daylight!!!! attacked on of my GLW hens & my 10month old rooster saved her thank god...

 

[heronz]

For us this year fisher.
They don't just get the birds-they go after you too.

 

[Sueg4332]

did you happen to eat that bobcat? I hear they are excellent to eat. My niece in New Mexico ate a puma her husband shot said it was the best meat she ever ate. Said it tasted like chicken some what....
I have lost more chickens to dogs. 26 at one time. pitbull and a large chihuahua mix. was out feeding at 6 am everyone was fine. Hadn't lost a chicken in years At 6:30 26 laying died no blood at all. Looked like cruch drop it grap another one. my son couldn't believe dogs did it. so I skinned them puncher marks all over them. Never found owners of dogs or dogs either

 

[Sueg4332]

Been reading all the posts just love it. sorry for your loses but at least I know I am not the only one fighting these devils of the night and sometimes days. But I have a funny story about dogs and their natural instinct...to kill.
I had a 3 pound chihuahua female 16 years old, half blind and old old. This old gal had never kill anything in her life except maybe a flea. I had hatched some chicks out had them in my bedroom to keep them warm and away from outdoor feral cats and whatever other animal that couldn't resist chicks.
well onbe day I was clean the pen and a few flew out on to the bed. My little sweet heart of a chihuahua just perked up got a glite in her old eyes and it was ovist she wanted chicken dinner. Well I taught all the chicks savely and got them back into their pen. A little later I could find my old dog I called and called her NO dog. IMy thoughts were she went off a died somewhere as she alway came when called. Couldn't find her. my other dog kept looking toward the dog kennel (varie kennel) I thought she never goes in there So curious I looked in the the kennel there she was . I must have missed a chick from the escape, my sweet darling chihuahua old than mud was in her cave with baby chickie feet hanging out of her mouth. She was so pleased with her self she was just glowing..with pride from her hunt... I could help but laugh I took what was left NOT much told her she was a bad dog.
For than on tell the day she passed over that rainbow bright She loved the sound of baby chick hatching . she would dance at the cage wanting to watch. Right she was hoping I drop one again so she could have chicken dinner again INSTInCT is a strong thing isn't it..
LOVE THAT LITTLE CHICKEN KILLER LOL

 

[wantbantams]

I totally agree with a hawk. We lost a few to raccoons which we were able to kill. But we recently lost 3 to a hawk and they are protected and hard to catch anyway. So we are just living in fear and trying to find ways to scare the piece of crap off so that we can let our girls free range. HAWKS are EVIL

 

[outdoorsii]

I totally agree with a hawk. We lost a few to raccoons which we were able to kill. But we recently lost 3 to a hawk and they are protected and hard to catch anyway. So we are just living in fear and trying to find ways to scare the piece of crap off so that we can let our girls free range. HAWKS are EVIL

Yes they are evil just like owls, we never had the owl problem until now, I think they take turns hanging out around our yard. We need more dang crows around to keep them away