Squirrel killers?

[iwiw60]

Pellet rifle.

I like to use a .22 with what I call "salt shot"....it kinda 'sprays', and at my age I need all the help I can get!

 

[centrarchid]

Squirrel in question is a Fox Squirrel rather than a Grey Squirrel, Former is larger. I have both and they are seldom a problem for poultry keepers.

 

[jhd9201]

Great!! Thank you all for the advice. I appreciate it.

 

[islandgirl82]

As your pullets mature, they may very well end up confident enough to chase away those intruders. My flock doesn't tolerate squirrels or chipmunks and even some birds who get too close to where they're foraging and one in particular stakes out my wild bird feeders. I haven't had squirrels raiding my feeders since she discovered them. I'm also currently cat sitting for a neighbor (cat is at my house) and though the flock is just fine with my own cat, they screech and holler every time the guest cat is outside and they chase him right under the porch.

 

[CrazyTalk]

It's more likely that he's after the feed you put out for your hens. Prey animals (like squirrels) rarely waste energy killing other animals, especially animals much larger than themselves.

That's true, but one of the normal food sources for squirrels are baby birds. I most certainly wouldn't trust a squirrel if you're planning on raising chicks.


Also, the fact that a squirrel can get in means that raccoon, possum, cats, and pretty much everything else that climbs can.

 

[centrarchid]

That's true, but one of the normal food sources for squirrels are baby birds. I most certainly wouldn't trust a squirrel if you're planning on raising chicks. 


Also, the fact that a squirrel can get in means that raccoon, possum, cats, and pretty much everything else that climbs can. 

Squirrels are much better climbers and jumpers than are the raccoon and oppossum. Squirrels should not be considered an issue.

 

[kari_dawn]

That's true, but one of the normal food sources for squirrels are baby birds. I most certainly wouldn't trust a squirrel if you're planning on raising chicks.


Also, the fact that a squirrel can get in means that raccoon, possum, cats, and pretty much everything else that climbs can.

it is true that squirrels will eat a baby bird. Anything much larger than that, I wouldn't be concerned with.

Squirrels are much better climbers and jumpers than are the raccoon and oppossum. Squirrels should not be considered an issue.

centrarchid, I have to disagree with you on one point here. Raccoons are indeed excellent climbers. Certainly they can rival a squirrel. If a squirrel can climb in, I can almost guarantee the raccoon can climb in too. Additionally, raccoons are very dexterous, and surprisingly strong. When rehabbing animals, I would prefer to work with a captive raised bobcat to a captive raised raccoon ANY day. Think six year old human child, throwing a tantrum, but as coordinated as you or me, twice as limber, and whelding razor blades (coupled with an incredible bite strength) . and raccoons WILL do some damage to adult birds. I would definitely worry about raccoons in this situation.

 

[jhd9201]

Ok. Thanks for the info. I've lived here going on 8.5yrs, have only seen raccoons twice. We are right by a busy hwy(4 houses away), so hoping that continues to keep em at bay. I'll be on the look out though.

 

[centrarchid]

it is true that squirrels will eat a baby bird. Anything much larger than that, I wouldn't be concerned with.
centrarchid, I have to disagree with you on one point here. Raccoons are indeed excellent climbers. Certainly they can rival a squirrel. If a squirrel can climb in, I can almost guarantee the raccoon can climb in too. Additionally, raccoons are very dexterous, and surprisingly strong. When rehabbing animals, I would prefer to work with a captive raised bobcat to a captive raised raccoon ANY day. Think six year old human child, throwing a tantrum, but as coordinated as you or me, twice as limber, and whelding razor blades (coupled with an incredible bite strength) . and raccoons WILL do some damage to adult birds. I would definitely worry about raccoons in this situation.

I used to keep raccoons as free-range pet (no confinement) over many years while also keeping free-range chickens and penned rabbits. Same location had squirrels, gray and fox. This forced me to understand limitations of raccoons nocturnal habits so I could keep chickens and rabbits safe. Raccoons can climb but no nearly as well as a squirrel, especially when jumping was required. Each winter we hunted them for pelts taking them with a variety of means and they did not go without a fight. We also had to deal with wild raccoons as you describe and they are not that tough. Nor can they bite though good leather boots as we used to say. No sissy talk here on such I am very familiar with raccoons and their abilities..

 

[MeepBeep]

Raccoons can climb but no nearly as well as a squirrel, especially when jumping was required.

True, they can't jump, but the OP posted a picture that showed a standard 4 or 5 foot tall cyclone/chain link fenced area, that is not even the slightest challenge for a coon or possum...