Suggestions to keep predators away?

[Amykins]

Last night, the 50-year old willow that was rooted by the bank of our pond fell over. Raccoons had apparently dug all around its roots, and down it went. I'm pretty dang upset, it was the best part of our view and it was such a beautiful, picturesque tree. I honestly had no idea coons could be THIS incredibly destructive.

So not only do they eat my ducks and badly maim my pet cats, but they also are destroying my property value. Of course they would. *sigh*

I've never owned a gun in my life, but I'm VERY seriously considering getting one.

 

[Miss Lydia]

We live in Eastern Ontario, Canada. We actual saw a snapping turtle heading down our road near our pond last week sometime. They can apparently eat ducks too!
We know we have a muskrat in there and hubby tried to get rid of it (shoot it) way before the ducks were outside. But to no avail. Apparently they can eat ducks although they are mostly herbivores.
We have caught 3 raccoons, that latest last night (last night we picked each duck up & put them in their night box as I could not sleep knowing what could be lurking out there...)
All of the raccoons were in the duck yard sniffing around. Fortunately they have been put to bed in a locked night box so far.
Claudia

Good for you putting your ducks in a secure house for the night. Predators abound and once they get a whiff of our ducks or any livestock-pets they are going to come around looking for an easy meal. So it's up to us to keep them from dining on our beloved ducks. Best you can do is what your doing being vigilant about safety and making sure they are locked up tight for the night. your right snappers can and will eat ducklings and can kill adults as well.

 

[Amykins]

Good for you putting your ducks in a secure house for the night. Predators abound and once they get a whiff of our ducks or any livestock-pets they are going to come around looking for an easy meal. So it's up to us to keep them from dining on our beloved ducks. Best you can do is what your doing being vigilant about safety and making sure they are locked up tight for the night. your right snappers can and will eat ducklings and can kill adults as well.

I'd worry more about stoats, to be honest. They can get into even a tiny crevice and will kill each and every one of your birds in a single night. There's a reason they're closely related to honey badgers!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd worry more about stoats, to be honest. They can get into even a tiny crevice and will kill each and every one of your birds in a single night. There's a reason they're closely related to honey badgers!

Stoats are like our mink and weasels, they can get into tiny small cracks too. I'm very thankful to have secure house for my flocks of chickens, ducks and geese. Hardware wire[cloth] is our friend when it comes to safety.

 

[jtn42248]

I've never owned a gun in my life, but I'm VERY seriously considering getting one.

I am actually a big supporter of stricter gun regulations (just my opinion, not trying to start a debate) however, I do own two guns. A .22 caliber rifle and a 12 gauge shotgun. They were purchased shortly after buying this farm for "home defense". So far they have been used to get rid of two raccoon's and a rattlesnake. The raccoon's were going after my chickens and warning shots did not scare them away. The rattlesnake was coiled in the doorway to my duck house and I actually almost stepped on it.

I am of the opinion that if you are going to have animals or birds that are/can be preyed on by other critters who are intent on eating them alive and you are serious about their protection you really need to have a gun as a last resort. All the predator protection in the world can only do so much. My chicken and duck houses are metal with metal beams and studs sunk in and on a 4" reinforced concrete slab. I have had raccoon's try to pry the metal open to get to my hens. As smart as my predator protection is there is at least one predator that is smarter. So, last resort, my guns.

I am really sorry for the problems you are having with raccoon's. Trapping them is one thing and only effective if it is followed with the death of the trapped animal. Trap and release for raccoon's only delays their return to the scene of the crime.

 

[Amykins]

No worries, I'm in the exact same boat as you on that issue! Unfortunately it's illegal to trap here. I live in a suburban setting, we have a lot of tight restrictions when it comes to wildlife here because of the geography and rare environment and my HOA is stricter than the Third Reich.

 

[jtn42248]

No worries, I'm in the exact same boat as you on that issue! Unfortunately it's illegal to trap here. I live in a suburban setting, we have a lot of tight restrictions when it comes to wildlife here because of the geography and rare environment and my HOA is stricter than the Third Reich.

Guess there are advantages to living in the country miles from the nearest town and at least a couple of miles from your nearest neighbor.

 

[Amykins]

Guess there are advantages to living in the country miles from the nearest town and at least a couple of miles from your nearest neighbor.

Heh, no kiddin'. Life tip: Never buy a house where there's an HOA. Ever. Evarrrrrrr. We can't even have dogs here. Or any pet other than a cat. Which is only part of the reason why my call duck is gonna be a diapered house duck.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Heh, no kiddin'. Life tip: Never buy a house where there's an HOA. Ever. Evarrrrrrr. We can't even have dogs here. Or any pet other than a cat. Which is only part of the reason why my call duck is gonna be a diapered house duck.

Can't even have a dog?? why that's ridiculous.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Guess there are advantages to living in the country miles from the nearest town and at least a couple of miles from your nearest neighbor.

X2!!!