What predators and pests do you have? And how do you deal with them once you have caught them?

[Dynahoe Dave]

I've had to deal with a fox in the spring. It had killed all 4 of our chickens at the time. It was a very brazen fox. My wife spotted it a few feet from our house, I got the 22, opened the window while watching it mosey down to the garden where I had placed one of the dead chickens. I got 1 shot at it. Never saw it again, had no problems for over 4 months. A lot of other critters returned a few days later.
I got a game camera.
A month or so ago, another fox took our rooster, and 2 hens. I'm still working on this one. Had to deal with 2 possums that were taking the bait before the fox. They got trapped & shot. I don't like that I have to do it, but I have to protect my flock.

The chickens were free ranging when they were killed. I'd rather have them free range - they decimate the bug population. But until I get this fox, they have a 25' x 40' run, and free range when I'm outside.

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

We have very little trouble. If we do, we trap, shoot and deter. Not necessarily in that order! Good deterrents are the best thing. Secure pen, tight fence, good lighting. Usually before a critter is able to find its way in, it has betrayed its presence and been dealt with. If the critter has a pelt thats worth money, its skinned, stretched and sold or used in crafts. If its good to eat, it goes on the table. If none of the above, it goes in the burn barrel! In 6 years we've lost one bird to a hawk and one to an unknown critter which never returned.

 

[Salo0009]

We have stray cats, hawks (sharp shinned and red tailed), opossums, 1 bald eagle and rumors of coyotes (I haven't seen or heard them). I'm not in the country but in between the 2 downtown areas of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. I lost 2 juvenile hens to a cat and a red tailed. (Ironically, the only two birds that had names in my flock of 18!) Since then, I have buried the fencing 4-6 inches, trapped several stray cats and opossums.

My chickens are 6 months old now, and much bigger since the attacks this summer and I don't worry about them as much. But I have covered their run with fencing and keep a watchful eye on the sky for predators when they free range. Also, the crows have moved in the neighborhood for the winter and they are chasing hawks and the eagle. I never thought I would welcome crows and I don't mind that they eat my chicken feed!