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

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Oh trust me - If I catch something, you'll hear me shrieking all the way in KY!!! I set it and turned the back porch light off before I headed over to DBF's. Maybe

something will be waiting for me when I get home! I brought my trusty flashlight so I can find my way to the door LOL.

 

[KKatknap]

Checking in....did you catch 'im?

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Would you believe...NO!!!

Once again the bait was gone and the trap wasn't tripped! I set that thing as sensitive as possible. I just don't understand what/how!

Tonight I'm setting the rat trap instead.

 

[Mattemma]

I was really hoping we would find out today. How about adding a large glue trap to the trap? Have to put out any flour to see if you can get some prints by the trap?
Set the rat trap AND the live trap.Plus put out the flour to see tracks.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Ohhhh never thought about the glue traps! Good idea! I did try flour but it just turned to gloop in the rain/frost/snow. I'll set both traps, add the glue trap and the flour. I'm desperate!!!!!

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Well, whatever my creature is, it does NOT like peanut butter. I didn't have time to stop at the store last night to get the glue traps, so I set both the rat trap and the havahart and baited them with peanut butter. Both were still empty and baited this morning.

I did have a dead bobwhite quail chick that I hatched this morning, so on my way out the door I tossed it in the havahart.

Will re-bait both traps tonight with cat food and put the flour down.

What a process this is...who woulda thought.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Well, this is getting old so if anyone is still following along, here's the latest: Reset both the havahart and the rat trap last night with cat food. Rat trap wasn't touched. In the havahart, I put the food towards the back and also under the plate (tip from my son who HAS caught raccoons and possums in it). Food gone, trap not tripped, and dead baby quail still there. I went out about an hour later and the door was closed, more food gone but trap was empty. I realized that there are gaps on both sides of the door where I'm sure a weasel could squeeze out. Disgusted, I went to feed the ducks and chickens and when I came back, I saw a MOLE dart back under the porch.

food stealers...

So up to the feed store I went today. I bought a smaller havahart that is super-sensitive. I also bought weasel food lure and put that on the trip plate. I used a piece of wire coat hanger and hung the cat food. I feel like Elmer Fudd...

The guys at the feed store also showed me how to use those body-kill traps but it was big and more than I wanted to spend. I also like my fingers. Gander Mountain had a smaller one for $5 so I bought that and the tool to set it. Unfortunately it doesn't have the safety clips like the bigger one and I'm not able to set it by myself. Well, I probably could if I wasn't so scared of it.

But it'll go back to the store. If all else fails, I'll get the bigger one.

I feel lucky today

and one of my ducklings is hatching

 

[KKatknap]

I'm still here. You go girl!

I'm still thinking weasel, but I really want to know when you finally get 'im!

I'm thinking tonight...

 

[Cetawin]

I am thinking weasel or mink...they can be so lightweight and lean, they could get in and out if the trap is too big. What size havahart are you using? You may want to ask the vet or human society if you can borrow or rent a smaller one.

 

[emvickrey]

Years ago we had about 35 chickens. I went out to do the feeding and gathering and found almost half of my flock dead. One was partially pulled through the fence and the others had a hole in their heads. They wheren't even eaten. The one that some thing tried to pull through the fence did so piece by piece.It was just a slaughter. DH was on the road at the time. I looked for anywyere something could get in at and patched it up but the run wasn't covered and the door to the part of the barn that the chickens occupied was open. I wasn't very chicken smart at that time in my life. I didn't think what ever it was, was climbing the fence. I thought more of digging under or finding a hole. Next day more chickens gone but not as many. DH was home that night and spent the night with the chickens and a shotgun. He caught our murderer, it was one of the biggest coons i've ever seen. So we thought it was all over.

I was wrong. We lost them all the next time. Another masacre. I gave up on chickens for many years. Now, when we first got chickens again a few years ago we lost about 6 to neighbors dogs. Havne't lost anymore as of yet to predators. None to sickness.

We have a coop make out of old barn wood for the frame and tin around the bottom and top and the roof and wire around the middle of 3 sides. The door is a storm door for a house that is secured with a hasp and lock. We have a covered run securly attached to the coop. The only way in is to have a pair of wire cutters or a pick and shovel. The ground it sits on is mostly rock under a layer of dirt and grass. Only a snake, mole or mouse could get in and the rooster would make a short snack out of them.