Sad, but I had to end it up.

[kwhites634]

No... I'm not sure. At the time, I admit, I didn't care if it was legal or not. I was SO upset after they killed my sweet little frizzle hen, my darling favorite little girl.

In this story, I ended up catching three coons. I took them waaay out into the wilderness...many, many miles beyond any homes or businesses and released the three together. They are trying to sustain their own life too...and they deserve to find a nice meal (just not my hens!... I don't eat my chickens) But I would still never be able to kill a raccoon... I'm enormously an animal-lover.

In the future, I will look into a "trapping permit" or having the DOW come get them?

You couldn't kill a 'coon, yet you want to get a trapping permit! I'm missing something here.

 

[BreanneRN]

There has been cock fighting, legal and now illegal in the USA for DECADES. Do not think that people entering the country illegally brought the "sport" with them.

With regard to "solutions", "move the chickens to an area free of predators" doesn't make sense. There is pretty much nowhere that there aren't chicken predators be they coons, foxes, coyotes, dogs, raptors, etc. Securing the chickens area is the only real solution and even that can't be 100% unless they are locked up day and night and that is no life for a chicken unless you have the ability to create a very large predator proof run.

I'm sure that is very true, I can only speak for the area I live in and those are the people here that are doing it, and why you can't safely rehome any roosters HERE. I'm sure you know better about what goes on in Vermont.

 

[HappyDancin']

You couldn't kill a 'coon, yet you want to get a trapping permit! I'm missing something here.

Nope, I don't want to get a trapping permit. I was saying that I didn't know/consider that it was illegal. Maybe you are missing something...

After telling my story, I said, "maybe in the future I should look into it [the law of relocation] OR have the Division of Wildlife help." I also ended my statement with a question mark - relaying my uncertainty.
Thanks

 

[kwhites634]

Nope, I don't want to get a trapping permit. I was saying that I didn't know/consider that it was illegal. Maybe you are missing something...

After telling my story, I said, "maybe in the future I should look into it [the law of relocation] OR have the Division of Wildlife help." I also ended my statement with a question mark - relaying my uncertainty.
Thanks

Actually, what you said, & I quote, was "I would still never be able to kill a raccoon", and then "In the future, I will look into a trapping permit".

End of statement, end of discussion, end of subject. TYVM

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

While these are all good ideas and should be consideredconsidered, the most you can hope for is to reduce your losses. I would offer up some reasons why these are not foolproof solutions for some of us.

1. Move the predators. This is illegal where I live and new ones would take the vacant territory.
1. Feed the predators something else. This causes more predators. The more food that is available to coyotes, the more pups they have
1. Keep the flock in a covered and secure area. This works but is a quality of life issue for my ducks and geese to be kept in a small enclosure as opposed to free range in the day.
1. Move the flock to area free of predators . Not sure where this would be. I live in the country but there are coyote, Fox raccoon etc even in Urban areas. My neighbors in ATL had their back yard coop invaded and all chickens killed very close to the downtown.
1. Get flock protection from other animals that defend against and deter the predators. A pack of coyote are not a good match for a dog. Donkeys probably work best but are not any help with hawks.
1. Put flock up for adoption. Doesn't mean the adopter doesn't have predators.
1. Kill the predators by means other than poison. I have tried. It's hard to get a shot off fast enough to hit one.

While I have managed over time to have a so far predator free coop at night, if you free range fowl they are going to get eaten from time to time. You need to factor in that there will be losses and just try to limit them the best you can.

 

[mowin]

I'm a animal lover too. I'll do my best to help a critter in need. However, I'm a hunter too. Have no problem killing my own food or getting rid of the predators trying to get at my animals.

I understand lots fo people on BYC have there chickens as pets, and just can't think of eating one of there chickens. I get that, and there nothing wrong with that. What is wrong is making the OP feel worse then he already does because you/others (not anyone in particular) don't agree with his choice.

 

[Trish1974]

 

[AlderCreekFarms]

I'm sorry Thomas that you have had this problem. I cant imagine what that must have been like for you. I am certainly not going to judge you based on my upbringing and the way we do things "over here". Only another Grecian would really understand what you're up against trying to raise your chickens. True, quail are smaller and require a smaller space and some keep them inside as long as their kept clean. But kept outside they will also draw predators so beware and be ready. Hope your next endeavor isn't as traumatic.

 

[BreanneRN]

Greece is a 3rd world country.
Other countries lend us money and we live with money lent to us.

My understanding of it is that they confiscated citizens personal bank accounts to help pay national debt? That is pretty bad... People in the USA here mostly can't really imagine what that would be like... Or how impoverished that would make everyone...

 

[Tesumph]

It’s already been said, but just to reiterate:
If you love animals, do not trap and relocate. Not only is it illegal, it’s a cruel and confusing death sentence for the wild animal dumped in a strange and hostile new territory. New predators, new rules, new food and water locations.

And for whoever suggested letting the chickens go, dumping a domesticated animal on the streets or in the wild is a twisted thing to do. They will either be picked off by a lucky predator or slowly starve to death.

Many farmers will cull an entire herd or flock if conditions are working against them and they need to start over. As long as the meat isn’t wasted, it’s a perfectly normal practice in raising livestock.

Sorry for your loss, OP. I hope your future endeavors are more successful.