Smart predators!!!

[chickenmommaof4]

We have been battleing one very smart predator. I only have 3 ladies left of my original 12 laying chickens. I put out a live trap and every morning I have found the bait gone out of the trap but no animal. I checked to see if the trap was faulty but that is not the problem. What could be smart enough to get into the trap, step over the trigger and get the goodies and then get out without springing it?

 

[En Plein Air Farms]

. What could be smart enough to get into the trap, step over the trigger and get the goodies and then get out without springing it?

An animal that has already been trapped somewhere else and rehomed near you.
Your best option if these are night predators is Fort Knox the coop and pen. There are 100's of threads here with good ideas.

Welcome to BYC, you've made the first step to safer lifestyle for your remaining girls.

 

[zazouse]

Secure the bait in the trap so they can not reach over the trigger plate and take the food or
Place the food in a baby food jar and poke holes in the top so they can smell it, they are not likely to carry off the jar.
You could also have rats taking the bait.
Sorry for your losses

Hope ya catch the critter.

 

[7L Farm]

I had the same problem. I wired the bait to the trap & caught the savage it was a stinking Opposum. He never came back trust me.

 

[aprophet]

dig a small hole place the bait in the hole place the trap so the trigger is centered over said holeI like a cinder block sitting on top of the trap so the animals cannot flip the trap and get to the bait a largeish bait this time of the year helps as ants will destroy it fairly quickly