What's digging at my coop?

[Roberts2100]

I have something digging at my coop cage each night. It is about 3-4 small holes each night like its trying to get in but can't dig down under the fence. Some pictures are attached and I can't find an tracks. So what could it be any guesses?

 

[rebirdchild]

I'm thinking a fox or racoon did it. If you really want to find out you can set up a trail camera. You can buy then at a sporting goods store for about 100$. Very useful.

 

[theoldchick]

No tracks? Is something reaching through and trying to get out?

Or have rats found left over food and can't get through the wire?

I second the motion for getting a camera.

 

[DobermanGuy]

Might be a good time to buy a trap so that you can relocate the nimal trying to get your chickens before it is too late...

Cheaper than a good trail camera.

 

[Roberts2100]

I have just bought 2 catch and release traps but am unsure what to put in there as bait to catch something. I have a rat/mouse bait box about 5-6 feet to the right. The chicken feeder is about 3 feet up (top) from that picture. Should I put a glue trap out there to see if it gets stuck to it.

I bought the traps to catch a rabbit that was eating my garden.

 

[Folly's place]

For bait, you can try chicken food, cat food, table scraps, fruit, or any combination. Where are you? Here in southern Michigan coons and possoms are my biggest problem, so release is not an option. They get shot and buried; good for the earth and my chickens and horses!

 

[Folly's place]

I also forgot to mentio using electric fencing to deter predators.

 

[Roberts2100]

I know nothing about electric fences so what the basics of them? What do I need to look for?

 

[Roberts2100]

I caught something..... its a....... What the?????? lol

 

[Buxton Ducks]

HA HA HA, too funny. We kept catching our barn cat when we were trying to trap a stray kitty.....