Well it started up again, something has killed 4 animals in 2 weeks

[RollinWithTheStones]

Something grabbed a rabbit through the pen wire and killed it so I took her mate out and put it in the coop. After a week with no more problems I put the ducks and a silkie in the pen so they could get some more leg room. Yesterday a duck was missing, it was a mallard so I chalked it up to it flying away. Then today my silkie was missing and I found my other duck's head.

I'm almost ready to get rid of all of my birds because of the pest problem. I'm so upset, last year I trapped and disposed of 5 raccoons and 6 possums. I don't want to do that again this year.

 

[welasharon]

You cannot possibly remove all predators...as you see, more come later. The key is to prevent then from getting your animals. Use hardward cloth to prevent pull throughs and there are lots of threads on here that tell how to best predator-proof your animals. Put a discription or a picture of your set up and we can help you figure out what to do to make them safer.
sharon

 

[RollinWithTheStones]

I can't afford to re do everything with hard wire cloth, it will honestly be cheaper to rehome them.

 

[wantbantams]

where are you from in ohio

 

[cafarmgirl]

What about running a couple strands of hot wire around your coop/run? Electric poultry netting? It just depends on how you are set up whether or not those things will work for you but I've found hot wire to be most effective at keeping nasty critter's off my coop/run.

 

[RollinWithTheStones]

Columbus

 

[Ted n Ms]

It is a never ending battle. I keep traps set 24/7. I also have an electric fence wire about 4 or 5 in off the ground.

 

[The Lazy L]

...it will honestly be cheaper to rehome them.

It would be cheaper to let the varmints "win" by letting them finish eating your stock.

Or you can get control over your emotional give up mentality and declare WAR on those VARMINTS!

 

[Mattemma]

I would kill the predators first. One thing I noticed being on BYC is that few people break even let alone make a profit when it comes to having chickens.Most of us are in the red.A lot before we even get the chickens thanks to coop building,lol.Me, I just have an old metal shed with a concrete block in front of the door.

I have yet to lose to a predator.1 died and one sick hen I killed. I have caught many possums and coons(over 50 total) that MIGHT have gotten to my birds. I can not imagine the pain of finding your animals dead or missing. I would not give up.There is such a pleasure at having some of these animals..rabbits,ducks,chickens,and so on. I would not want to give that up for those that want to eat them. Best wishes whatever you decide.

 

[7L Farm]

Hot wire !! Three inches off the ground & then around 18 inches off the ground . Sure its not free but its cheaper than hardware cloth & your animals should be safe. I've had it around one of my coops for about three years .