What is eating my birds?

[PhiberOptikx]

I have lost an average of three birds a week the last two weeks and although I know that is a part of free ranging there is no way i can keep feeding this predator so often. Every time it happens there is no trace of the bird aside from a small pile of feathers. They are only taken in the day. I put out a live trap and caught a raccoon. The day the raccoon was in the trap another bird dissapeared not 30' away.... Any suggestions? I my birds are only 12 weeks and my roosters are running out of time to man up.....

 

[GitaBooks]

I'm sorry to hear that.

It sounds like a fox. You could try getting a guard dog, setting up moveable electric fencing, or trying to trap the fox.
Foxes take lots of chickens, will take them during the day, and usually leave few signs of the attack.

I hope the others stay safe. Best of luck!

 

[PhiberOptikx]

Thank you for the reply. It seems to have focused its attention on the silkies so far. I lost 3 of my 4 silkies last week. Any tips on trapping a fox?

 

[GitaBooks]

We've never had problems with foxes, probably because of the six dogs, so I'm not too sure how to trap them. You could probably borrow a large live trap and put some chicken in it.
We had a stray cat, sweet to us but mean to the other cats and chickens, that took only chicks and silkies. Silkies can't see predators well and can't run or jump well either, so they are easy targets. We lost four of our silkies to predators, two to what we assume was our cat. One to an unknown predator and one to what I think was a raccoon.

 

[keesmom]

I would invest in an electric fence. Silkies aren't exactly made for free ranging. They are small and can't see very well. Easy targets. You can remove this predator (fox or coyote) but they are still easy pickings for the next one, and for hawks.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I agree with the electric fence. Think about it, you had two predators going for your chickens in one day. Because you caught a raccoon I'd think the the other killer is also a raccoon. If you caught a small one then the mother is the one killing and teaching the young how to.

Electric fences are nice but if a hawk decides to nest near you your back to losing a bird every few days with bantam size birds.

 

[SouthernCalEggs]

Raccoons are never alone. I started with catching 1 and finally ran out at 11. Keep setting the trap, but be mindful it could be something else too.