Something tried to get in the coop!

[Gonzo]

Last night, my husband let Klaus our German Shepherd out in the backyard. Klaus immediatly ran to the coops barking and chase something large off, it jumped the 6ft fence, and my husband said the fence shook hard for a minute after that! What kind of critter could jump a fence like that, and make it shake in such a way? Our main land based predators here are raccoons, foxes, and coyotes. My mother doesn't think any of those would jump a fence. What do ya'll think it could be?

 

[Backyard_Chicken_rancher]

That's easy A big cat (not a house or barn cat) or a deer Iv'e seen deer jump and 8 foot high fence from a standing postion.

 

[KKatknap]

Deer won't make the fence shake!

I'd say a large agile dog (I've seen a lab jump a 6-ft fence), or a big cat. Do you have any bobcat around there?

 

[Gonzo]

Quote:
I'm not sure, How could I find out?

 

[Intheswamp]

Looks like it's time for a game camera...or a big bag of flour sprinkled around the coop.

Best wishes,
Ed

 

[Gonzo]

Quote:
Good Idea! Lord knows I have lots of flour! Thanks!

 

[Intheswamp]

What's on the other side of the fence that the critter jumped over? There might be a better ground surface that might have received an impression of the feet/paws landing hard.

Another critter that hasn't been mentioned is a 2-legged critter that wears britches.

Best wishes,
Ed

 

[Zahboo]

According to what I found you can't kill it or trap it legally if it's a bobcat in Indiana. They are not endangered there, but are a protected nongame species.

In 2002, bobcats were taken off Indiana's endangered species list and reclassified as protected as non-game species. Under this standing, bobcat populations have reached more stable numbers, but can not be hunted or trapped.

I found that at this link http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/indiana/misc/art24800.html​

 

[Zahboo]

gonzo&hispeeps :

Quote:
Good Idea! Lord knows I have lots of flour! Thanks!

Hope this helps: "Bobcat tracks are easy to distinguish - roundish paw, four toes and no claw-markings."​

 

[StupidBird]

My sister in Phoenix says the coyotes are very agile. It is common for one to leap the 6 to 8 foot concrete block walls around everyone's back yards, snatch a dog or cat, and be back over the wall before a person can do anything. She will not let her little dog or cat out without direct supervision from early evening to late morning - direct meaning standing right there with it.

So, given that info, if you have coyotes, then this could be what was there. At least, you can shoot one of those, right?