Official BYC Poll: The Worst Predator

[ChickenCanoe]

I guess this is a predator story.

I didn't get birds locked up till after dark last night which always scares me.

When I let one group out this morning, they were all there. But, I noticed the carabiner was missing from the nest box. When I looked in, there should have been a few eggs but stranger yet, the 4 fake eggs (one in each nest) were missing too. There was no fat lumpy snake in the coop or anything else that could have taken them.
I'm suspecting a human predator, which is extremely unlikely considering the location.

 

[roseyred]

I guess this is a predator story.

I didn't get birds locked up till after dark last night which always scares me.

When I let one group out this morning, they were all there. But, I noticed the carabiner was missing from the nest box. When I looked in, there should have been a few eggs but stranger yet, the 4 fake eggs (one in each nest) were missing too. There was no fat lumpy snake in the coop or anything else that could have taken them.
I'm suspecting a human predator, which is extremely unlikely considering the location.

Take some eggs and leave em out in the sun and then put em in the nest boxes one night when the chickens fall asleep. That'll teach whatever's takin them a lesson

 

[ChickenPapaCT]

I guess this is a predator story.

I didn't get birds locked up till after dark last night which always scares me.

When I let one group out this morning, they were all there. But, I noticed the carabiner was missing from the nest box. When I looked in, there should have been a few eggs but stranger yet, the 4 fake eggs (one in each nest) were missing too. There was no fat lumpy snake in the coop or anything else that could have taken them.
I'm suspecting a human predator, which is extremely unlikely considering the location.

I have one caribiner and one combination lock on my nesting box (one on either side)... It is a cheap little combination lock with 3 number tumblers, but it is a good deterrent to those "human" predators.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I bought a set of 4 master locks keyed alike. I realized I needed many more so I went right back to the store but all the sets with my number were gone. I called Master Locks and they said the only way I could get more with the same key was to go to the same store and have them do a special order but they would be $18 per lock. I just went to the store and a set of 4 was $19. So I bought 2 sets instead of pay over 70 for 4 more of the same original keying.

A combination lock is a good idea too.

 

[ChickenPapaCT]

I bought a set of 4 master locks keyed alike. I realized I needed many more so I went right back to the store but all the sets with my number were gone. I called Master Locks and they said the only way I could get more with the same key was to go to the same store and have them do a special order but they would be $18 per lock. I just went to the store and a set of 4 was $19. So I bought 2 sets instead of pay over 70 for 4 more of the same original keying.

A combination lock is a good idea too.

I like the combination locks because:
(a) I can change the numbers so they are all the same, making it easy to remember the number.

(b) No keys to loose (because we commonly misplace things at my house)

(c) If I think somone has compromised the lock combination, I can change them.

(d) If I want to add another lock into the mix, I can key it with the same number.

(e) They are much cheaper these days - I think I got mine for about $7 each.

 

[tntchix]

good idea

 

[liberallinda]

My across the street neighbor leaves her cat food out and an army of raccoons is forming. I fear for my hens.

 

[MrsBachbach]

[SIZE=11.818181991577148px]My across the street neighbor leaves her cat food out and an army of raccoons is forming. I fear for my hens.[/SIZE]

Uh oh. Well, as long as she leaves the cat food out, your hens may be safe. I knew something was eating my leftover cat food, but assumed it was the strays or an occassional opposum. Went to the shed one night and found it was a coon! She (it was an obvious she) climbed up the wooden poles and clung for dear life. My dog was going crazy wanting her. I started picking up the cat food at night hoping she wouldn't come back after that scare and easy food removed.
Funny thing, there are five roosters housed right beside the shed with nothing more than chicken wire protecting them.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Uh oh. Well, as long as she leaves the cat food out, your hens may be safe. I knew something was eating my leftover cat food, but assumed it was the strays or an occassional opposum. Went to the shed one night and found it was a coon! She (it was an obvious she) climbed up the wooden poles and clung for dear life. My dog was going crazy wanting her. I started picking up the cat food at night hoping she wouldn't come back after that scare and easy food removed.
Funny thing, there are five roosters housed right beside the shed with nothing more than chicken wire protecting them.

Not for long.
The next few months they'll be fattening up for the winter.

 

[MrsBachbach]

Not for long.
The next few months they'll be fattening up for the winter.

It's been six years and nothing has attempted to disturb that pen. *knock on wood* Probably because I have this on my property.