What is good bait for a live trap

[Michellep224]

Oh, tip about catching skunks!!
If you drape a towel over the trap when you set it the skunk is much less likely to spray, because it feels secure and can't see you. Now, that's not guaranteed, but I have used that method successfully in the past.
Hope you catch your predator!

 

[mowin]

It's possible it's nervous about the trap, but there not the tuffest critter to fool.

I'd definitely reinforce the coop. As mentioned a HC apron is easy and effective. Even it you need to change it out every several years, it's better than loosing eggs. Besides, it's only a matter of time before before more than your eggs are missing.

 

[True Patriot]

For me.. the first step is to reinforce the coop. Even if you get rid of this one more will follow, most likely not only getting eggs. A good secure coop goes a long way.
After that. The first thing you need to do before trapping anything is:

Have a plan on what you will do with it once it's in the trap

In some areas it's illegal to release/relocate certain animals. If this is the case where you live you must be willing to dispatch the animal. Your only other choice is to open the door and let it back out. That being said. Any of the suggested baits can work. It all depends on the individual animal. It may take experimenting several times to see what yours likes. For skunks I have used a havaheart in a contractor trash bag. Place the trap in the bag so the door faces the open end of the bag. You can still pick the trap up through the plastic and as long as you stay away from the open end it can't spray you. Good luck

 

[chickenmama109]

Thanks everyone for all your help and info. Last night I set the trap again but I forgot to get the cat food so I tried two eggs again well this morning i go out there and the trap is tipped over the two eggs are gone and two new holes under my coop so know I'm going to try the cat food this thing is getting smart and I don't know if the small trap I have will catch him

 

[mowin]

Try staking the trap down so it can't be tipped over. If eggs are working, stick with them for bait.

You can get a inexpensive trail cam for $50 or less on sale. It would be nice to see just what your dealing with.

 

[StarChicken]

The more I think about it, after seeing the trail in the flour, could that be a snake? That just looks like snake slither . . .Daughter found an 8 ft. chicken snake (they eat the eggs) in her pen. I don't think even that size snake could eat an adult chicken, but what do I know.

Well, she's not the one that caught it; she's too chicken. Son-in-Law had to take care of that matter . . .

 

[True Patriot]

If it's digging holes it's definitely not a snake. They use holes dug by others since they lack the appendages required to dig. The drag marks in the flour could be any number of things. Skunks usually hold their tails up like a squirrel when they walk. It's more likely belly fur dragging on a short limbed animal. (skunk, raccoon etc) The marks can give you an idea of size by giving you the animals width. As suggested, getting pics from a trail cam would be great, it would narrow down the trap method. Have any of the chickens been attacked or only eggs? It's possible that you're dealing with more than one type of invader.

 

[chickenmama109]

The more I think about it, after seeing the trail in the flour, could that be a snake? That just looks like snake slither . . .Daughter found an 8 ft. chicken snake (they eat the eggs) in her pen. I don't think even that size snake could eat an adult chicken, but what do I know.

Well, she's not the one that caught it; she's too chicken. Son-in-Law had to take care of that matter . . .

I thought about that but what ever it is is moving bricks and digging holes

 

[chickenmama109]

I'm starting to think it's a raccoon I mean could a skunk take the eggs out if a small trap and not set it off and tip it over. Oh and yes only eggs have been eating but if I take the eggs away will it eat my chickens. Thanks

 

[chickenmama109]

what is some good bait for raccoons maybe I could try that