Something stole 11 of our chicks. Any ideas of what it could be?

[cmom]

Most areas have a wildlife rehab. They have release areas and will come and get the pest. My suggestion would be to put up a camera. I have several around on my property. I love my cameras. A predator can lurk and you will probably never see it. Most are good at hiding and looking for an opportunity when you least expect it. I do eliminate any predator that harms any of my birds. Once they have they always come back for more. I have electric wires around my coops and pens and nothing has gotten past the hot wires. I think the adult predators teach their young that a bird isn't worth getting zapped for. Good luck...

 

[All4Eggz]

Most areas have a wildlife rehab. They have release areas and will come and get the pest. My suggestion would be to put up a camera. I have several around on my property. I love my cameras. A predator can lurk and you will probably never see it. Most are good at hiding and looking for an opportunity when you least expect it. I do eliminate any predator that harms any of my birds. Once they have they always come back for more. I have electric wires around my coops and pens and nothing has gotten past the hot wires. I think the adult predators teach their young that a bird isn't worth getting zapped for. Good luck...

We have a camera, and we will look over the footage today!

I'll keep you updated

 

[All4Eggz]

Yes, shoot it! It's may be illegal to relocate it, for good reasons. Now you have a trap wise raccoon who's interested in chickens, not good for anyone else out there!
Just be ready to shoot any critters that you trap (except house cats) or don't live trap at all.
Check with your DNR about raccoon relocation before doing any such thing.
Mary

Thank you.

We humanely killed it this morning and buried it towards the woods.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[All4Eggz]

UPDATE:

We looked over the footage, and saw the racoon. No evidence of any weasel.

The camera was not pointed at the trap though, so we will fix it so we can see it better next time.

 

[kaumlauf]

Thank you.

We humanely killed it this morning and buried it towards the woods.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Besides shooting the raccoon, what is another way to humanely euthanize a raccoon? Just wondering.

 

[aart]

Besides shooting the raccoon, what is another way to humanely euthanize a raccoon? Just wondering.

That's probably the easiest....and most humane.

 

[kaumlauf]

That's probably the easiest....and most humane.

Could you empty bottle of sleeping pills in a can of cat food so that it would go to sleep permanently?
?

 

[Folly's place]

If you use a drug of any sort, be sure that the critter is actually dead, and then burn it or bury it so deep that no other critter can dig it up and eat it, which would likely also poison that animal.
Here we shoot them, living in the boonies where it's legal to use fire arms. In cities, you might have to call a pest control company, unless Animal Control will take them.
Mary

 

[All4Eggz]

Besides shooting the raccoon, what is another way to humanely euthanize a raccoon? Just wondering.

I was actually talking about shooting it

 

[aart]

Could you empty bottle of sleeping pills in a can of cat food so that it would go to sleep permanently?
?

Not good idea, IMO.

which would likely also poison that animal.

Not to mention that it's not a good way to 'dispose' of drugs.