Predator??? suggestions

[feedman77]

All traps are reset.

But if my predator shows up I now have a camera in the pen. And I also put one on video in a coop I displaced all the birds from so it is empty.

So maybe catch it in a trap or pic or video

 

[feedman77]

2 more possums caught.

1 leg hold gone wire broken. So either had a big coon or a larger predator ate what was in trap and drug it off.

Most of what I'm catching us younger so must be starting to set up their own home ranges

 

[aart]

2 more possums caught.

1 leg hold gone wire broken. So either had a big coon or a larger predator ate what was in trap and drug it off.

Most of what I'm catching us younger so must be starting to set up their own home ranges

Nothing on camera?

 

[twilightgecko]

it really sounds like a fox to me.. they will keep coming back and taking birds.. once they find a food source.. and they take them back to the den.. sorry!

 

[centrarchid]

I think we fail to realize more than one predator can visit in a night. On more than one occasion I have had fox come in after or as another type of predator was going after chickens. The fox hears the commotion and comes running over.

Front porch a few years ago would have a Great-horned Owl scare birds off the roost, then fox would show up about 15 minutes later. Happened multiple nights.

Earlier this year I had raccoons coming in to get at feed. At same time fox was beating shorted out fence to go after rabbits. Once raccoons did finally disturb chickens, fox would police up carcasses coons started on. Both stopped by fixing fence and dog almost catching fox right next to me.

 

[feedman77]

Nothing on camera?

Haven't pulled them yet. Working all weekend. Dark when I get home.

 

[feedman77]

Guess I can put this thread to bed.

Caught 2 more coons.

Camera pulled. Showed possum, coons, and a huge house cat.

So I guess it was coons taking the whole chicken.

But on a good note left some eggs and they are all still there so maybe made a dent in pred. Population.

Gonna keep traps out for now and well see what happens.

 

[centrarchid]

Did you find where raccoons pull carcass to for eating? Mine seldom go more than a 100 feet and generally leave a heavier feather trail than something like a fox does.

If you have option with additional trap types, then I would use them. The raccoons can figure out even the dog proof traps but may still be vulnerable to a live-trap.

Generally, I am keeping all the night time guys, except owls, out with a rather "rinky dink" hot-wire setup.

 

[feedman77]

I have dog proofs, live traps, and other legholds,

Feathertrails are few. But it's still an ocean of beans around my place. So they maybe eating them In the beans. Not sure exactly where.

My owls are usually in June and July. But it will start before long with the geese migrations. Bald eagles will show up.