Official BYC Poll: The Worst Predator

[NHMountainMan]

Opened the nest box today to collect eggs. Had a 6 ft long fat black snake. I only have three hens, and they have become very same. My husband wants me to find them a home. They are 6 months old and laying everyday. I hate to give them up, but my husband can't deal with snakes. Plus I board and groom small dogs, and can't risk them getting bite or eaten. Any ideas would be great.

For the most part, black snakes are beneficial- eating other snakes and vermin. If they haven't harmed the chickens I can't imagine they'd harm a dog. If you need to remove a snake from the nest box, you can use one of those extension grabber that your can buy in any pharmacy. Grab as close to the head as possible.

 

[drjulian]

Bobcats...here in s w Florida I think they are smarter than most, easily circumventing electric fences (high and low) and hunting even in the hot, bright daylight hours. This year alone we lost 2 ducks, 1 hen and our Rooster who died defending them.

 

[drjulian]

I've had dogs who loved my chickens, but they had no prey drive. Dogs kill more poultry than just about any other predator and the stronger the prey drive, the more likely they will kill your chickens given the chance. They can be trained to leave the chickens alone, but it takes a lot of work and dedication. I'm not sure how that affects their prey drive overall. It would be interesting to hear from someone who has a dog that's a good ratter but is able to leave chickens alone.

My experience has been quite different. We have 2 dogs and 2 barn cars and they are totally intimidated by the chickens and ducks, mostly "trained" by the rooster.

 

[cmom]

Here we have mostly coyotes.

 

[TARDIS37379]

All of my feed is in metal cans, the chickens are fed via peckomatics and that defeats smaller mice and rats. My cat is strictly inside but I will put an outside barn cat to work soon.
My biggest troubles are stray dogs. People dump them out up here and many people just let their dogs run loose.
My runs are covered and the bottoms have wire. With a large breed chicken most snakes become a meal.

 

[termeerchick]

Like I said on the other thread, I believe that the worst predator to have is a bird of prey (owl, hawk, etc.). Most are protected species, so you can't really do anything about it. At least with the other predators you can take care of business.

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[GabbyC96]

I'd say Racoon's, rats, and Hawks.

 

[JadeFarms]

Mine have been to tegus, I love the tegus, would never kill one, can’t kill my favorite species of animal, ugh.

 

[Suedan]

In my area, southern Maryland, Fox are the biggest problem.

 

[CJLR]

The most chickens i have ever lost was one time a couple of coyotes got half of our flock in one night and then the next night they got the rest