*UPDATE* Page 3 - Lost ANOTHER one today (graphic description)

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Could you make a hoop tractor that has hardward cloth on it that you attach so 1 foot or so extends out to prevent anything from digging under that you can put them in during the day?

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I have a pen in the middle of the yard where they could stay during the day. My problem is getting them in there. Once I open the side door to the garage, they run into the yard and I'll never catch them. Trying to catch them individually in the coop and carrying them to the pen isn't an option with 12 big ducks darting everywhere and one big old mean rooster coming at me for touching his girls. Gathering eggs each morning is difficult enough.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I'm having a HECK of a time catching this creature! I tried raw chicken - leg, skin, neck, organs - nothing was really touched (I kept changing out the bait). Then I tried canned cat food and all I'm doing is feeding the wildlife. I'm using a Havahart trap. I put the cat food right on the trip plate - food gone, door still open. Then I put the food further towards the back - again, food gone, trap open. The trap is very sensitive - I've tested it - so I have absolutely no idea how I'm not catching it. I'm putting the food towards the back, but not far enough that it can be reached from the outside (or from the sides). This is at least the third time where the food is gone. Any idea what it could possibly be? I'm going to have to resort to the leg traps I guess.

 

[KKatknap]

Any chance it's a weasel?

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Honestly - that's what we think it is. Just don't know how to catch it.

 

[KKatknap]

.........I hesitate to suggest this, because it is SO not me, and, besides, you would want to make really sure that it is the culprit eating the cat food.....but, you could, maybe....slip something toxic in the cat food in the trap. Is that legal?

Personally, I think I could do that. Especially after finding several of my babies slaughtered. Although, I can barely kill bugs, so it's hard to say. I catch spiders in my house and put them outside.

You've been trying to catch it for so long. What will you do with it if you do? Are you planning on killing it anyway? I know little about weasels, but I do know they are fierce little things.

Anyway. Just my random thoughts on the matter. I do wish you luck. I'll be watching to see if you can get the little bugger.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I feel the same way you do...I don't really want to kill it but relocating is illegal (if you're caught

) I could use poison but then I may never know what it is. My vet said I if I catch something, I can bring it to their office and they will humanely euthanize it for free. I hate to see anything suffer which is why I really don't want to use the leg traps, but I need to protect what few chickens I have left. Besides that, I REALLY want to know what it is! I think I'll try a rat trap. Wonder if that would be big enough to do in a weasel?

 

[colleensstuff]

Do you know any hunters who would have a trail cam you could borrow to aim at the trap to see what is eating your bait? I bought one to find out what was chewing on my feed bag. It was a possum, so I bought a havahart trap and caught him before he got any of my free range chickens. They are really handy to have.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I really wish I did. I actually just got back from the hardware store (gotta love small towns). They had these weird traps that you set over a hole and it breaks their backs. When I saw that it took a special tool and man strength to set them, I said no thank you! The guys laughed at me and said I'd lose an arm anyway. I ran home, got my trap and took it up to show them. They showed me how to set it so it was really sensitive...duh...I didn't know you could do that!

From everything I described, they really think it's a possum. Hopefully we'll find out in the morning! I'm tired of feeding the wildlife. Also bought c02 and pellets for my new pellet gun so I am prepared!

I am a woman on a mission!!!!

 

[proudmama88]

Quote:
As soon as you catch something, come right back here and let us know what it was!

I'm just dying to know who the culprit is.

I hope you catch it, whatever it is!