Silkie Boy missing but all I found was his feathers...

[SilkiesnFrizzle]

He wasn't with everyone this morning, so I went looking for him. This is what I found on an adjacent piece of highly commercial property. I found a small hole that my 2 month old ducks had made underneath the coop, narrow enough for them. I don't see how he got out... What animal does this?

 

[jamie7100]

That is what my fox grabs looked like. Sometimes they bury a body if they kill more than one but just one they take like that

sorry for your loss.

 

[SilkiesnFrizzle]

I have been reading that coyotes are common to my area. But my home is right in the middle of a big mall, hotels, restaurants....all this commercial business and me and my grandmothers house. I would have thought the human element would scare off a fox or coyote.

 

[jamie7100]

Well, foxes are well known city dwellers due to garbage, so they certainly won't be deterred by human presence. I've seen foxes in NY city as well as in the suburbs of London. Kinda scary but as we encroach on their territory, they are becoming less elusive around people. I don't think coyotes are as bold, but I live near Erie PA and a woman was bitten by a coyote in a grocery store parking lot overnight last fall.

 

[SilkiesnFrizzle]

Sigh, I think I have a fox problem. NOW what do I DO?

 

[jamie7100]

I would think about getting electric net fencing - we got some through Premier. We got livestock guard dogs as well, but they are still pups in training so not with the poultry 100% of the time.

 

[TheChicken4U]

Im sorry when a predetor gets one, you have to keap your eyes pealed

(i know i am a newbie on dis game but i know what im on about ) if it IS a fox, try getting some live fox traps, and put some sausages in there or somthing, hen you get it, kill it. i dont recomend traps for large animals (foxes, coyotes ext) because dogs, cats and other pets may go in. Get electric wire, or thick, chicken wire and dig it a bit into the ground to stop them trying to burrow into your pen, about a foot or two down, shut them up earlier, becuase the problem with foxes, if they know they can get one, they'll go again, but next time, it could be all your hens, goodluck with your problem!

 

[caseybloo]

It's spring, foxes, coyotes, possums, coons are all having babies and are looking for extra food. They will keep coming back until all food is gone, usually around the same time. I will set traps and wait every day with a boom stick until I get em.

 

[Mattemma]

Sorry for your loss. I was just walking with my chickens(babysitting them),and was amazed at the amount of feathers the hawk ripped out of my hen.

Hawks have their little ones to feed too! I am surrounded by homes,with just a bit of woods,and I have caught over 40 possums and raccons in just one year. There was no way I would have thought THAT many could live in that bit of wooded area. I recommend putting out a 1089 havahart trap 24/7. I see no reason to wait till they kill.Set the trap by the coop and dispose what you catch. Again,sorry for your loss.

 

[SilkiesnFrizzle]

It's a fox! We saw it 2 nights ago, just watching the coop. We scared it off, then about 30 minutes later, I saw it crossing back into our property. I took my dogs out with me that time. Suggestions?? I live in a very busy commercial area, or I would just shoot it. What can I do????