To intervene or not to intervene- that is the question

[Mahonri]

Trap and dispatch.

 

[CMV]

Possums (and probably raccoons) are going to keep coming to visit. You take out one and there are ten others waiting in the wings. I'd ask the neighbors if they could move the dog inside at night.

 

[matimeo]

Quote:
Mine is a Remington Airmaster 77. I think its one step up from the 760. It's supposed to shoot 755 fps. At approximately 15 feet, I'm thinking that had to have penetrated. I put enough lead in that giant rat that I can't imagine I didn't kill it, even if it takes a while.

 

[cafarmgirl]

Quote:
Go back and read the original post again.

Well I read the original post and I still have to agree with Jajika. If they can't get in and they can't get into the feed they will move on. Sure you'll still see them pass thru and the dogs will still bark at night but if they can't get to anything then who cares.

I have a very secure coop enclosed with hardware cloth, electric wire etc., my feed is locked up. I have no issues with predators getting in at night. I'm aware they may occasionally pass by and check things out and they keep going, looking elsewhere for food. As long as I make it impossible for them to get a meal I couldn't care less if they pass by in the night.

Everybody has to do what they think is best and that's what works for me. I don't have to bother with trapping and killling every nighttime creature that passes by.

 

[matimeo]

Quote:
Go back and read the original post again.

Well I read the original post and I still have to agree with Jajika. If they can't get in and they can't get into the feed they will move on. Sure you'll still see them pass thru and the dogs will still bark at night but if they can't get to anything then who cares.

I have a very secure coop enclosed with hardware cloth, electric wire etc., my feed is locked up. I have no issues with predators getting in at night. I'm aware they may occasionally pass by and check things out and they keep going, looking elsewhere for food. As long as I make it impossible for them to get a meal I couldn't care less if they pass by in the night.

Everybody has to do what they think is best and that's what works for me. I don't have to bother with trapping and killling every nighttime creature that passes by.

I agree. I said to go back to original post, only because I thought I had stated that the coop was secure. That really wasn't my concern or reason for posting, but I may not have made that clear. I guess my only lingering worry is that some of these critters could come across my chooks at night while they are sleeping and secure, but come back during the day when they are free ranging for a snack. I suppose that it is as I said, I am being a little over-protective. Chalk it up to being a new parent (of chickens at least). Who knew I'd get so attached to the little piglets.

 

[cafarmgirl]

Quote:
Well I read the original post and I still have to agree with Jajika. If they can't get in and they can't get into the feed they will move on. Sure you'll still see them pass thru and the dogs will still bark at night but if they can't get to anything then who cares.

I have a very secure coop enclosed with hardware cloth, electric wire etc., my feed is locked up. I have no issues with predators getting in at night. I'm aware they may occasionally pass by and check things out and they keep going, looking elsewhere for food. As long as I make it impossible for them to get a meal I couldn't care less if they pass by in the night.

Everybody has to do what they think is best and that's what works for me. I don't have to bother with trapping and killling every nighttime creature that passes by.

I agree. I said to go back to original post, only because I thought I had stated that the coop was secure. That really wasn't my concern or reason for posting, but I may not have made that clear. I guess my only lingering worry is that some of these critters could come across my chooks at night while they are sleeping and secure, but come back during the day when they are free ranging for a snack. I suppose that it is as I said, I am being a little over-protective. Chalk it up to being a new parent (of chickens at least). Who knew I'd get so attached to the little piglets.

I gottcha now!

Daytime attacks are certainly a concern. Where I am I've never seen a possum in the daylight but I'm sure plenty of folks have, depending on your surroundings. And no, your not over protective, our chickens are just way to low on the food chain!

 

[AngieChick]

If your girls are secure then I wouldn't worry about dispatching them all. You will just make yourself crazy, there will always be more filling the gaps left by the ones you killed.

Make sure to go over your coop with a fine tooth comb. Your coop looks good, but double check that your locks are adequate. Raccoons will be your biggest problem, and they are very clever killers.

 

[centrarchid]

If only oppossum is concern and coop is oppossum proof, then do not worry about critter during daylight. Oppossums generally do not go after food during day unless sick or food very close. If chickens ca not get away from oppossum during daylight, the chickens have health problems. Oppossums are slower than even chicks at 2 weeks. If silkies, then bets are off.

 

[jgconnor]

Quote:
Second the motion. All in favor?

 

[Jajika]

Jajika here.

Yes, I read the original post and did not see that the chickens were secure at night.

I agree with you that I wouldn't feel 100% secure that the chickens are completely safe during the day. There are other "day time preditors" that can go after the birds.

I'm reluctant to kill any animal unless there is no other alternative. I prefer "prevention." It is up to us to keep the chickens safe. After all, these "preditors" are doing what is natural to them.

Chickens eat worms. Is this a reason to kill chickens?

You see my logic here.

Anyway, you have lots and lots of comments by now, so I'm sure you have decided what is best for you.

Good luck,

Jajika