What is good bait for a live trap

[Biddybot]

Hmm, that looks like too small a hole for a raccoon... Since you know exactly where the animal is getting in and if you're willing to risk your birds a while longer, why not smoothen out the ground outside right by the hole and put down some sand or even sprinkle a layer of flour so the culprit will leave tracks next time it raids your coop? Then you'll know exactly what you're dealing with and can plan accordingly. (Like if it's a skunk!)

Lots of info on identifying tracks on the Internet, by the way. Also, a skunk shouldn't spray when getting trapped in a live trap. They typically need a target and are actually fairly reluctant to spray unless they have to. If I didn't have chickens, I actually wouldn't mind having them around. They make decent wild neighbours and can get quite tame.

I understand not wanting to use wire on wet ground, but how about laying down some cheap but heavy patio slabs next to the run to prevent digging or maybe even use cinder blocks to fill a depression? Even an Arnold Schwarzenegger skunk can't move a cinder block.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I wired a piece of plywood to the bottom of my trap to stabilize it and keep anything from coming in from underneath. Then I built a box to sit over it. The only opening is on the front of the trap so the critter cannot cone at the bait anyway except the front door. I put the bait behind the trip plate.

I have trapped several skunks and never had one spray. It is pretty much enclosed. When I handle the trap I cover it with a sheet of clear 3 mil plastic just in case but have never had one spray.

 

[chickenmama109]

Hmm, that looks like too small a hole for a raccoon... Since you know exactly where the animal is getting in and if you're willing to risk your birds a while longer, why not smoothen out the ground outside right by the hole and put down some sand or even sprinkle a layer of flour so the culprit will leave tracks next time it raids your coop? Then you'll know exactly what you're dealing with and can plan accordingly. (Like if it's a skunk!)

Lots of info on identifying tracks on the Internet, by the way. Also, a skunk shouldn't spray when getting trapped in a live trap. They typically need a target and are actually fairly reluctant to spray unless they have to. If I didn't have chickens, I actually wouldn't mind having them around. They make decent wild neighbours and can get quite tame.

I understand not wanting to use wire on wet ground, but how about laying down some cheap but heavy patio slabs next to the run to prevent digging or maybe even use cinder blocks to fill a depression? Even an Arnold Schwarzenegger skunk can't move a cinder block.

Thanks I actually have put flour down I kinda thought is was silly but I wanted to find out what it was and this is what it left all of this was flour and then it left prints that looks like a tail that's why I think it's a skunk

and it has made some big holes and some small holes so I'm not sure what it is

 

[RWise]

Good luck! An electric fence wire 2" off the ground may help,,,
Are the eggs vanishing in the day time or at night? If they vanish at night, gather eggs at dusk/sunset.

Some of you will get a kick out of this.
Some years ago late one night my brother got up to take a leak. As he went by the baby crib and looked in and thought, "how cute, the cat is curled up with the boy", and on to the bathroom. As he woke up a bit, he realized, "we have no cat". So he grabs the shotgun, then the skunk tossing it against the wall and blows a hole through the wall where the skunk hit. He missed, they tried for years to get the smell out, and eventually tore the house down.

 

[chickenmama109]

Thanks

 

[chickenmama109]

So last night I set the trap and I just put two eggs in it but it looks like the skunk was not there it did not try to get in the coop or the trap today I'm going to try cat food

 

[Rick M]

Im not sure of your location, but you can purchase a fairly inexpensive game camera from walmart or a sporting goods store that will take pictures during the day and also at night and you will know exactly whats messing around.

 

[chickenmama109]

Im not sure of your location, but you can purchase a fairly inexpensive game camera from walmart or a sporting goods store that will take pictures during the day and also at night and you will know exactly whats messing around.

Thanks. I am located in texas

 

[mowin]

I've trapped a few skunks in have a heart traps. I take a dark blanket and hold it in front of me. Go very slowly towards the trap, going head on, as not to get stinky overly excited. Slowly lower the blanket over the trap and wait a few minutes before wrapping it up to move trap. Never had one spray.

 

[chickenmama109]

Thanks. It looks like the skunk did not come last night could it be scared of the trap