Unknown predator, possible fox or bobcat, any suggestions?

[LulaBell]

I have never trapped a fox but it is possible, if the fox is frequenting your coop might i recommend hunting from the back porch? depending on where you are it is legal if they are causing property damage.

Yes I can definitely hunt from the porch! We've been keeping the gun handy incase we see it.

Trapping is hard, they are likely to smell you on the trap and avoid it. Trapper boil their traps to eliminate their smell and wear rubber gloves.

Use a game camera to identify it. Maybe set outside at a distance, downwind behind a blind. Or inside behind an open window. Identify the villain and then ventilate with a .223

Don't discount hawks with hungry mouths to feed. They are quick and stealthy and usually leave the rest of the flock the least upset, like nothing ever happened.

If you catch a skunk.. they are chicken predators to.. not usually daytime though.

Sorry for your loss.


Indicated next to their avatar.. southeast Ohio... the reason I always suggest peep add their general location to their profile so we can make our best suggestions at a glance.

Still takes practice to get used to looking for it though.

Visual confirmation on the predator, large red fox. Most likely she is hunting for her little ones or teaching them. She is getting bold, came into the yard last night while we were working outside (building a run, using power tools!) We have been keeping the girls in the coop during the day and letting them free range while we are outside with them in the evening.

 

[The Dapper Duck]

A red fox is going to be tricky to trap. If you go the live trap route, get one that is oversized for your needs. Two very important things that tend to be overlooked when trapping with box traps, 1) Trap stability and 2) Floor covering. Make sure you can push down on any point of the trap and it will not tip or wobble. It needs to be on very stable footings or the fox (or most critters) will feel the movement and get leery of the whole thing and maybe bail. It also helps to put down some grass or duff (try to match the ground material around the trap) so they can't feel the wires. I have done a lot of feral cat trapping (away from cities where there are truly wild animals) and these two things are key to getting an animal to commit to a trap.

If you are able to see this fox out in the open though, shoot the thing. Do you know anyone with a predator caller or maybe an electronic cat toy? That could help lure it in while you are out there waiting.

 

[LulaBell]

A red fox is going to be tricky to trap. If you go the live trap route, get one that is oversized for your needs. Two very important things that tend to be overlooked when trapping with box traps, 1) Trap stability and 2) Floor covering. Make sure you can push down on any point of the trap and it will not tip or wobble. It needs to be on very stable footings or the fox (or most critters) will feel the movement and get leery of the whole thing and maybe bail. It also helps to put down some grass or duff (try to match the ground material around the trap) so they can't feel the wires. I have done a lot of feral cat trapping (away from cities where there are truly wild animals) and these two things are key to getting an animal to commit to a trap.

If you are able to see this fox out in the open though, shoot the thing. Do you know anyone with a predator caller or maybe an electronic cat toy? That could help lure it in while you are out there waiting.

Thanks for the tips. I'm used to trapping raccoon which are fairly easy as they will go in a trap for just about anything to eat.

I don't want to kill it if I can avoid it, however, given to opportunity to take a shot at it I will take. I'll ask around and see if anyone I know can help me with the call part.

 

[The Dapper Duck]

Thanks for the tips. I'm used to trapping raccoon which are fairly easy as they will go in a trap for just about anything to eat.

I don't want to kill it if I can avoid it, however, given to opportunity to take a shot at it I will take. I'll ask around and see if anyone I know can help me with the call part.

On that point about relocating, it is better to just euthanize the animal in the best way you can. If you relocate it will either come back or you are disrupting the territories of other animals somewhere else, which will likely result in the relocated animal's death because of competition for food and it not having a territory established. Plus you are impacting those other animals' resources because the relocated animal will both eat some of their food as well as require those other animals to spend calories running the new guy off. I know it's easier to put something out of sight and imagine it's a scene from Bambi somewhere out there, but that's not how nature works. It's cruel and unforgiving and if we have to deal with a problem animal it is better to not make it a problem for someone else or for other critters.

 

[gtaus]

we (did) free range. In the last few weeks we have had attacks on our flock, taking multiple birds at a time and only leaving behind feathers. we have not see or heard this predator, once when it happened we were right in the house! It is always in the daylight...

I'd look up. I have lots of hawks and bald eagles where I live. You won't hear them. They hunt in the daylight. As far as I know, fox mostly hunt at night.

I am building my chicken run/pasture with 2X4 fencing 6' tall, bird netting on top to stop aerial attacks, and maybe even a 2' predator screen on the ground line to prevent predators from digging. In any case, the coup will be locked up at night to protect the birds.