something eating my chickens

[linda07]

i will try that. going to get it one way or the other. i wont stop till i get what ever it is

 

[linda07]

Eating innards is probably a skunk or possum.

For either of those, or coons (assume you are using a live trap), use dry cat food for your bait.

Once you catch it, how are you going to kill it?

 

[linda07]

we tried cat food and nothing.. probably take it to some state land and let it go there

 

[linda07]

Try marshmallows as bait. While I've never done it I've heard lots of people use them for raccoons.

Other than the torn and eaten breast and innards could you see if there was damage to the head or neck?

 

[linda07]

didnt really see any damage to the head but really didnt look that good,just made me sick

 

[SpeckledSussex2005]

If you want to deter predators from your chickens, you could put solar powered flood lights on the coop, or use a scarecrow. (The scarecrows actually do a good job!)

 

[Chickenlueny]

about how much is an automatic door?

They’re about $200. It took me a long time to pull the trigger on one, but i’m really glad I did. I feel like my chickens are safe and I don’t have to wake up early to let them out or worry if I had forgotten to lock them up..... I have the solar power option which I really like too... I felt so guilty when my chickens were murdered that it took me a year to get more.
I hope i’m not breaking any rules... I got it at chickendoors.com. There are some on amazon too, but I don’t know how good they are. They’re all about the same price...

 

[rosemarythyme]

we tried cat food and nothing.. probably take it to some state land and let it go there

That is not an ideal solution as many animals will travel miles to get back to their home territory, and in some areas it's illegal to relocate wild animals. If you're going to trap it, kill it. Or see if your state/county has any sort of wildlife control programs that can help with nuisance animals.

 

[RWise]

we tried cat food and nothing.. probably take it to some state land and let it go there

Do check local laws as relocating can be illegal! And then if you relocate it, you would just be giving someone else your problem. It may also return to its home hunting grounds, then it's start all over again.
Oh ya, did I mention that a trapped coon is not going to be a happy camper? I have had adult coons tear the door out of "have a heart" traps. Even small coons do a lot of damage to these traps. The ones they stick their hand in work best.
Here it is not legal to let wildlife go in a new place.

 

[chickendreams24]

I too would urge you not to relocate. It is illegal here as well to relocate to public land. Private land I believe may also be illegal.