Predator or person?

[angiesmith]

Thanks everyone! We did reinforce the cage with small wire so hands can't get into it. I'll keep the flour up & hopefully we'll find out what it is.

 

[6of6chicks]

Good point. However, I don't think it's illegal around here. We told Animal Control what we had done, and they didn't bat an eye. Though the woman who came out for the skunk did ask if I had a permit for the chickens.

Though I hear ya - next time we'll save the country folk the hassle.

I grew up in the least populated county in my state, so I sometimes forget that "woods" doesn't always equal "no one there".

Just FYI, but raccoons are protected under TN state law. You need a permit from TWRA before trapping & releasing a raccoon:

http://tn.gov/sos/rules/1660/1660-01/1660-01-16.pdf

This is very informative and worth the read:

http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/backyardinfodetails.cfm?uid=10040716450071663

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Good point. However, I don't think it's illegal around here. We told Animal Control what we had done, and they didn't bat an eye. Though the woman who came out for the skunk did ask if I had a permit for the chickens.

...

That's cause animal control personnel know very little about the state laws. They may know you need a permit for chickens but don't know the wildlife code.

Animal control here did not know that MO state law allows one to kill dogs that are 'worrying' livestock (including chickens). They were appalled when I told them the next dog attacking the chickens would be a carcass itself. The only person on the entire staff that was aware of the law was the highest level supervisor.