At our place predators are fair game during the day but at night once the birds are locked up I don't worry. We have had the live trap set recently because something has been tearing into things. In the past months we have caught a skunk, opposum and raccoon. Three nights ago something turned the latch on my pop door, got in and killed a hen sitting on a nest. It ate part of her and her eggs. Thankfully it didn't go up and after the rest of the chickens. Two nights ago I used two latches and set a block against the door. In the morning one latch was torn off, the door torn up and block moved.
I was sure it had to be a raccoon. One night ago my husband set 4 leg traps around the door and put some eggs as bait. He covered the traps with wax paper and sprinkled dirt to hide them. In the morning all four traps were sprung, eggs eaten but no critter. Last night he reset the traps without hiding them, more eggs. At 3:30 our dogs heard something. Husband went and dispatched the skunk in the trap.
The question do you think the skunk was the original predator or just wandered in after the eggs? I have a hard time picturing a skunk turning the latch and lifting the door to get in. Like I said I was sure it was a raccoon. What do you think?
I was sure it had to be a raccoon. One night ago my husband set 4 leg traps around the door and put some eggs as bait. He covered the traps with wax paper and sprinkled dirt to hide them. In the morning all four traps were sprung, eggs eaten but no critter. Last night he reset the traps without hiding them, more eggs. At 3:30 our dogs heard something. Husband went and dispatched the skunk in the trap.
The question do you think the skunk was the original predator or just wandered in after the eggs? I have a hard time picturing a skunk turning the latch and lifting the door to get in. Like I said I was sure it was a raccoon. What do you think?
