Official BYC Poll: The Worst Predator

[turtlebird]

I voted for 'Man', as thus far - most of my losses have been to either ignorance or unavoidable human error

. For example, brooder too hot, forgot to fill the waterer, etc.....

 

[JerseyGiant]

Recently lost all my black Jersey Giants to coyotes. On one stormy, rainy night, I assumed it was too bad for man and beast and left the pen door open.
Stupid me.
I have three little sisters left...

Up until now, only a few raccoons or possums have dropped in to visit... (and disappeared).
I'm having to start all over and restock.

Jersey Giants are hard to find locally, so any suggestions as to a hardy breed that does well as range chickens is appreciated.

 

[KristaChickenWhisperer]

Two years ago I lost a flock of 8 to raccoons.

I have also lost quite a few to dogs too, though.

 

[jackiesmamachick]

one dog especially

 

[br64]

The only thing I've lost so far is five ducks to a bobcat about seven years ago. Currently we have a young female bobcat that has a den a quarter of a mile away from the house but she hasn't bothered anything.

 

[gottsegnet]

I say weasel because they're the hardest to control. We've lost as many to dogs (almost all to our own), but tractors and strong pens seem to keep them at bay. Weasels seem to go where they want when they want, and prefer my penned birds to the loose ones.

 

[woodmort]

I would have said dogs--my neighbor had a pit bull that would bolt through their electric dog fence and jump the 7-foot chicken fence to get at the birds. Luckily the dog has passed on. I have limited most problems by fencing in the birds in a 100 by 60-yd pen and making sure they are locked in at night or when we are away from home. That being said, last spring a weasel managed to find an opening under the chicken house door that allowed him access to the interior. He would kill one or two birds every couple of days and, unless you examined them closely, the cause of death wasn't evident. By the time I woke up to the fact the birds were being killed and not just dying (these were mostly 5- 6 year old hens) I closed up the entry hole then live-trapped and eliminated the culprit--he's in a far better place.

When I kept ducks--5 years ago--I lost many of them to coons. They would sneak up on them when they were asleep at night, even when they were on the pond.

 

[Tomhusker]

I'm still fairly new to raising my own chickens, so I have yet to lose one. BUT, I am assuming that when it does happen it will be to my wife's stupid little rat dog.... maybe as his last meal. So I voted dog.

 

[PheazAnts]

I have Red Golden Pheasants and Ringneck doves. A black snake decided to raid my bird shed and ate 4 of my newly hatched squabs! I respect nature but that was a bit much for me. Now I use Snake Stopper repellent (from Tractor Supply) to keep them at bay. All natural to my liking. The pheasants are pretty hardy but the Ringnecks aren't as aggressive. My rooster will call out when there seems to be danger about. I have an electric fence around the perimeter of my aviary to keep the coons away. Now if they will just leave my corn alone.

 

[Ec_Prokta]

Hawks for me. They killed my GLW, Nephenee.