What is it? God only knows!! UPDATE on PG 10

[bluey]

Is the camera pointed at the coop area? I'd point that camera at the place the chickens congregate the most. I don't see anything in your picture.

 

[Zookeeper9000]

Don't forget to cover your trap to look like a den as animals are careful at least most are.

Also go get chicken legs from the store to bait with as you already know they like chicken.

Hope ya catch it, they them?

 

[Badlatitude]

+1 for covering your traps if they are cage type traps. Make sure they do not rock and are firm! If you dont have the means to build a trap boc just lean a piece of wood. Be sure to set on fence lines , geographic edges , along a log or rock wall , building ect. Basically animals run edges and edges are natural guard rails for move ment.

scratch with a stick infront of the trap to simulate an area of interest heck u can stick a white feather or piece of paper right there too. a small morsel of bait placed here can help coax a wary critter also.

Ditch the egg and tuna and switch to sardines packed in oil. Big scent factor and the oil doesnt evaporate or wash away as easily as watery baits.

run a lightly dripped scent trail to your trap from some ways away. besure to trail from start to your trap and not away ...

be sure to push the lid on the sardine can back down before putting it alll the way in the back of the trap not to give them a handle. If you get bait stealers ziptie the sardines in using the handy pop ring on top.

U can even set them with in view of your house and take advantage of the bait draw to shoot the predators. ( unless you have a HUGE HUGE HUGE cage) U arent going to catch an adult coyote in one.

 

[kryptoniteqhs]

Quote:
that pic is not on our property...its at my bfs camera for when he was hunting....

 

[chicklady63]

Re: (UPDATE!
yesterday i found feathers EVERYWHERE!!!!!! first time that there was a trace of something. 3 are missing. My Delaware Roo and 2 Red Sexlinks! With all the feathers....It seems like some sort of a dog.....domestic or coyote or fox or something of the sort...my sister and someone else spotted a hawk...flying around just after we discovered this happened....but i dont think a hawk would leave this much of a mess.....)

Three times in the past I have had a hawk get a bird from my yard (son saw it happen twice) and there were feathers scattered everywhere. One time the rooster's tail feathers were pulled out but he managed to get out of the hawks grasp somehow. Guess it depends how aware the chicken is to the coming attack and how much of a fight they put up. I think your culpret could possibly be a hawk or an owl. Hope you are able to find out soon. Good luck!

 

[kryptoniteqhs]

the one hen that got attacked a couple months ago was missing tail feathers but she had a huge whole in her back
we found her a couple days later still alive and she died that night in the house

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

I told you how to solve your problem.

 

[kryptoniteqhs]

its on its way lol.....i have bad luck tho and with trapping its all about luck --- i think

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

Trust me, you will be suprised, how easy it is.

 

[kryptoniteqhs]

hmmmm....none of this stuff comes easy to me...i swear when it comes to finding or catching stuff.....i have a curse....always have since i was this big I I