Official BYC Poll: The Worst Predator

[Gypsi]

I got my first chicks this spring. First 2 died at the jaws of my MINIATURE DACHSHUND! Next one, feral cat seized an opportunity when I left a ladder next to the almost sealed top of the run. At least I think it was a feral cat. Only killed one pullet, I'm still hunting that tom cat, but he is now afraid of my yard. And today, my very first successful hawk. They were circling when I was finishing the run, but I got the roof on the small part, and they were in it unless I was out, so I didn't lose any birds.

So I'm technically:
Dog - 2
Cat -1
Hawk -1

But the hawk was the worst, she was a full sized laying hen. The others were still vulnerable chicks.

 

[platinum dragon]

Hmmm tell me about it. But our chickens haven't been touched

but there has been an opossum come and got 0 chickens. Hahahaha! Take that opossum!

By the way i'm new.

:cd

 

[chickenchaser99]

Quote:
same here went to close doors after free ranging and a opossum was just about to go in hasent been back since

oh and

 

[Ironmaiden]

I've lost 5 chickens, one was my favorite, to an aging yellow lab. All in one week. I had only let them out for an hour. I'm thinking about getting a Great Pyranees dog to guard them.

 

[puredelite]

Given the opportunity racoons can do the most damage as they often travel as a family unit and will kill much more than they can possibly eat, seems like they just enjoy the thrill. They are a very intelligent critter and can even open simple latches. Have also had them reach thru chicken wire and grab a handful of whatever is within reach and pull the bodily parts out of the brooder. If you are the kind-hearted sort and think realeasing them at a distance will work... better think again!

 

[animalbaby4everandalwyz]

i believe i have been loosing mine to a coon..we will see i set a trap tonight

 

[cluckiemama]

I can't believe how vulnerable they are! We are so lucky to have lost none so far! I think having a fenced yard helps. Everyone else I know in this town with chickens has lost at least one. I'm going to have to be more cautious !

 

[Opa]

When you see the number of road killed coons it is not surprizing that we are over run with them. They adapt well to a suburban enviornment and with the fur market being so low their numbers just keep increasing. As well as being the number one vector of rabies and parvo it seems they will stay the number one predator of our flocks.

 

[Giammona farm]

Weasels, coon and bobcats or the worst! I shoot them all

 

[jksranch]

I've lost one or two to hawks over the years but lost a whole flock of bantams to a coon in one night! Snakes are a big problem also they have gotten eggs from under a sitting hen and also eaten half grown bantams off the roosts. My dog will catch them once it awhile (he did it today) lucky I have alway been outside when one gets out into the yard. The bulldog will spit them out when I yell and I can take them back to the pen. He is very soft mouthed and just slimes them real good.