Trapping weasel help, please!*IT CAME BACK!**

[cmom]

I used a dead bird and put leg traps around the body when the critter came back it got caught in one of the leg traps then I shot and killed it.

 

[ilovechickens]

Oh, I am so sorry to hear about your loss, I just lost on Tuesday my Buff Cochin Rooster (he is my aviator) and 1 hen, I came home to just feathers, they free range, by big guy gave his life for his ladies, I found 3 of my cochin hens, and 2 of my Easter Eggers hiding, one of the hens was missing all of her feathers on her back side, I rounded them up and locked them up, before that I just balled like a little child They are my sanity, my chickens have been a life saver to me. My big guy, he was a valiant warrior. Then yesterday morning I went out to feed, and there sitting in the snow next to the coop was another cochin hen, I gave her up for dead the day before. But she is doing fine. Last summer I was losing chickens, something came right into the coop, again my big guy sounded the alarm, we went out there it was very dark and we didn't see anything, so we came back in. The next morning we were missing 2 of my Easter Eggers, I just

but was determined to win this battle. So the next day I went to fix the runs, and make sure that everything was good and I found that something got in and killed 2 of my buff cochin pullets, 2 buff polish pullets, and 2 red frizzled pullets, all that was left was 1 dead cochin, and frizzled cochin. Again another day of just sitting in the pen and

I went and got a big enough trap for a coon. I bought 1/4" hardware cloth and wrapped the trap, knowing that a weasel could fit through a hole the size of my thumb. I baited it with apples, salami, eggs (soiled) black oil sunflower seeds, and the war was on. I caught 5 raccoons, all are dead now, 1 possum also dead, 2 skunks also dead (they got a little revenge before they died, stinky) and a cat, and bunny, they are free to go. I also put the hardware cloth around my coop and buried it a foot, and the top of my runs were already covered with netting. And at night they were locked up as tight as I could get them. I placed the trap right next to the coop, and started catching prey. So until recently things were going just fine. Now I think that it was a fox that took my chickens on Tuesday, It came right into the coop, I leave the door open so they can come and go as they please, which was stupid on my part, but I just wanted them to enjoy the outside since the winter had been so hard and cold. Now I am going to trap again, it is just heartbreaking when you lose your feathered friends. With the winter being so cold here, there are a lot of hungry critters. Good luck, wrap your trap with the hardware cloth, cover the trap so it looks like a den, and hopefully you will get the killer.

 

[mxpres]

I was losing hens to night prowlers,I purchased the nite guard flashing lights advertised in backyard poultry magazine,I installed four ,one at each side of my coop,I haven,t lost a hen since,they are guranteed to work if they are placed in the correct positions,they seem to be working for me,im sorry about your loss,,thats heartbreaking,,but you will lose birds if you let them free range ,,hawks,coyotes,dogs,weasels,all of these seemed determined to keep us from having our chickens,,don,t give up,,you can win,,and when you do finally trap the critter,,give it an extra blow for everyone that has lost birds,,good luck

 

[redhen]

it JUST came back!!!..my foster son heard a chicken squack and looked outside and there he was trying to get in my pen again!

we put up chicken wire (doubled)..over the existing welded wire..why wont he go in a trap!!!?? UGH!!...

they dont quit do they!!...

 

[redhen]

Quote:
i am so sorry about your birds!...

 

[redhen]

Quote:
I am wondering, are you using a live trap? If so, what size trap are you using? If you read my prior post, you will get an idea of how small a hole a weasel can get through.

I hope your weasel cannot fit through the holes in your trap..

I use a live trap that is designed for rats.. It is about 16 inches long and about 5 inches high..

i'll have to ask hubby what kind of trap it is..its a live trap....thats all i know...thanks!...

 

[redhen]

Quote:
Did you set the trap on it's path?

yes, i think we put it on its path....we put it on the side we thought it was getting in at....but my foster son just said it was at the front of the coop this time....so, we will set it there tonight!..UGH! these things are tough!..AND ballsy!

thanks for your help!..

 

[redhen]

okay..hubby just came in and told me the story....him and the boys just chased him around and around the coop...it stopped and was watching my hubby and when it finally made a run for it down the hill into the woods my foster son skimmed it with the shovel....so, we did get in one whack anyways!..

.what a ballsy thing!!!...

 

[chickenboy95]

that stinks. im sorry for all ur chickens. im not bragging or anything but the whole 5 years ive been letting my chickens free range and ive only had 1 thing happen to them. a hawk got one of my OEG bantie hens. im not bragging but i dont know what i would do if something tryed to get my chickens. ive never had any expierence w/ them and the hawk just swopped her away before i could get her. so well i hope u get that little weasel. yes i know they are ballsy from what i have heard.

 

[andehens]

RedHen, I'm not a very good trapper, but I can sure sympathise with you.

and heres hoping that weasel gets his BIG TIME!!!