Official BYC Poll: The Worst Predator

[Chicken Heel]

Ole Brer Fox made his rounds this morning at daybreak around my coops and even lunged twice at the fence at my flock of fourteen large breed hens and one rooster. But he was no match for the 16 gauge wire he threw himself against. It was a handsome example of the predator type though.

 

[Teresa D]

We had a fox last night he was running all around our run several times(this is presently in our front yard). We had the flood lights on and could see him very clearly the light was not a deterrent for him. We have seen and taken care of opossums and coyotes but this is are first time in 3 years of living here that we've spotted a Fox. So here we go with this. I don't think Ill be able to free range my girls ever safely.

 

[Chicken Heel]

We had a fox last night he was running all around our run several times(this is presently in our front yard). We had the flood lights on and could see him very clearly the light was not a deterrent for him. We have seen and taken care of opossums and coyotes but this is are first time in 3 years of living here that we've spotted a Fox. So here we go with this. I don't think Ill be able to free range my girls ever safely.

I understand your sentiments as there are far too many predators stirring and flying about in our area to free range my chickens.

 

[Rooster Runner]

I have lost just two birds to two different predators. A fox once ripped up a hen pretty bad from outside of the fence, but I killed the fox, and the fox didn't kill her on the spot. I did have some form of a weasel get into the coop, kill a hen, and escape! Weasels are definitely the worst in my opinion.

 

[Candace Longan]

Damn coon ripped a leg off my only Egyptian Fayoumi tonight. He wasn't able to get in the coop but my 3.5 month old birds still huddle on the ground and they were to close to the edge and he managed to grab ones leg and pulled the entire leg off the bird. Clean off at the hip. She's still very much alive and alert and now I have to do the most dreaded task. Racoon going bye bye.

 

[Teresa D]

I have lost just two birds to two different predators. A fox once ripped up a hen pretty bad from outside of the fence, but I killed the fox, and the fox didn't kill her on the spot. I did have some form of a weasel get into the coop, kill a hen, and escape! Weasels are definitely the worst in my opinion.

Is your coop secured? How did it get in? I lock all of the doors and shut the windows, but I'm always wondering if anything could get in.

 

[Candace Longan]

Racoon has been dispatched. Trap is now set nightly with a variety of offerings no racoon or possum can refuse. We caught the coon just a few hours after the terrible incident with the Fayoumi. Caught a possum the second night. Live trap is tripped during the day while the chickens run in the outdoor coop and reset it when they're all locked up for the night.

Offerings in trap that caught the coon were canned cat food, ear of sweet corn, handful of grapes and the contents of a couple eggs in a paper nacho dish.

 

[Phil OConnell]

 

[hogges]

Racoon has been dispatched. Trap is now set nightly with a variety of offerings no racoon or possum can refuse. We caught the coon just a few hours after the terrible incident with the Fayoumi. Caught a possum the second night. Live trap is tripped during the day while the chickens run in the outdoor coop and reset it when they're all locked up for the night.

Offerings in trap that caught the coon were canned cat food, ear of sweet corn, handful of grapes and the contents of a couple eggs in a paper nacho dish.

I have to try some of your bait ideas. Three days running no luck. I have footage of the raccoon being right next to the trap. I have put out Salami, old sliced turkey meat and some marshmallows (due to a youtuber claiming this as his secret ingredient).

 

[Phil OConnell]

I've had good luck with cat food and canned mackerel.