OPERATION SLY FOX! NEED HELP!!!!!!!!!! (Attempt Number One: Fail)

[DivaChick]

Okay- so last night we set up THREE fox traps in our chicken coop (no worries, chickens werent in there, dang fox ate em' all)--- we put the tree traps around the entrance to the coop-and put some eggs with honey in a box (where my silkie girls were brooding)--- that dang fox came into the coop last night...managed to get AROUND the traps (how? i dont know either) EAT the eggs, and get back out!!!! and scale the 7ft wall of chicken wire----
Does anyone have any ideas??? we were thinking about booby traping the door so when he comes in the coop, the door shuts behind him, and leaving the traps in there---

I HAVE to get justice for my silkies! Im guessing it could be a coon too, since I have seen BOTH in the area-----

Help! Tonights operation will go down, once again.......

 

[DivaChick]

i meant THREE traps---oops... not tree! lol.

 

[Nsampsel]

Well, whatever it is could be coming under the fence as well. Check for holes & gaps around the bottom. Coons would have NO trouble scaling a 7 ft wire fence. I'm not sure you are going to catch the critter, whatever it is, but you can definitely predator proof your coop & run more thoroughly. The biggest gap in wire or wood on any of my coops/runs (top, bottom or sides, including gates) is 2x3 inches. Of course snakes could get thru, as could rats & weasels, but they aren't common here in town. My bantum run has 1/2 in hardware cloth on all sides & 1 1/2 x 2 inch wire top & bottom. The bottom of the LF coop/run has the 2x3 inch hardware cloth on all sides, top & bottom & 2ft of standard chicken wire over the bottom 2ft all the way around. My ducks are the only ones I didn't extra reinforce around the sides. They have all 1 1/2 x 2 inch wire. All coops & boxes have their vents & bird doors inside the fenced area & there are no gaps between gates & fence more than 1 inch wide. It took a bit of extra work to accomplish all of this, but I have no worries about the safety of my birds while in their coop/run from anything other than neighborhood kids & my own 5 yr old (who occasionally leaves the gate open).

 

[DivaChick]

I absolutely agree--- i mean, it was our fault for thinking for ONE night they would be okay untill we put a roof over the run-- bad idea!
but we have an identical coop next to it- with a roof and those ones are fine--
there are no gaps or openenings anywhere else in the cooop-- since they since on railroad ties---
Tonight we will make attempt number TWO----
anyone else had this problem? or suggestions?

 

[Abirdbrain]

Most likely a Racoon, or Possum, they both love eggs, and will kill and carry off most small birds. Multiples if they can during one night. I have discovered that Fox have an increadable odor problem. They smell like a Skunk, and will mark territory, where a skunk will usually spray in defense. At any rate, Racoons will upset your plans, as they will enter anything that is open. We lockdown every night, and stil,l some gets under a fence or in a yard, with the resulting loss. The very next thread will show some results for trapping, and one pirate just before being shot.

The losses of our 'pet' and favored birds, hardens our heart somwhat. So we have to learn to tighten up security. Nature, the Mother, is in tune for making a surplus, that all her shildren enjoy. When I lose 4 girls in one night, at $10 a pop, its not so nice, not seeing them greet me.

I have a flight of Red tailed Hawks , and midwest turkey vultures , that patrol constantly. I must defend in a non lethatl way, They are Raptores, and are protected by law, as are the seabirds, ( seagulls, ) that rob my feed, and carry Who knows what infections.

I see no problem in trapping marauding coons, They are tasty if you have the stomach for bare knuckles living, but destroying, or relocating works too. My little Foxy- fox, got trapped with a 1/2 pound chick carcus, and got a ride to the south some 20 miles, to a new habitat. Any relocation has to be a good distance, and not interfere with others.

Bottom line, chickens tend to be escape artists, and Racoons breakin artists, that expidite the smallest chinks in your thinking. Good luck keeping them at bay.

 

[DivaChick]

Thanks so much for the great advice!
I know the feeling-- awful isnt it!

I was a first time Silkie breeder- and was successful at doing so---
and they ate my whole flock only leaving feathers and memories behind... 2 hens and my 5 babies.... uck!
finally got a new Roo and have to get new hens to start ALL over..
I will keep everyone posted as our hunt continues!

i just am still at awe that something can take EVERY LAST CHICKEN!!

 

[Habibs Hens]

i used to trap birds with my uncle

its humane how i did it but was very time consuming

i got a cage carrier a cat or dog one with a hinge door

i tied a rope to door and then took rope inside house leaving door open and food inside

once the bird/animal strolled in as i watched i pulled the rope

clossing it behind them

maybe worth a try for some time pass

cought me some ring neck doves once too

but i used to so it for fun so always let em go afterwards