What's killing my chickens???

[DTOWNGIRL]

No, all of my cats are inside ones...too many coyotes! I have a squirrel size Have-a-Heart trap...will that do? Plus, I've decided to pull the little ones out and keep them in a cage in the machine shed until we get this solved!

 

[lilcrow]

Do you keep a night light on for them? The reason I ask, if they can see a little, they can move around a bit if a predator is after them. If it is absolute darkness, they go into that stupor and are completely defenseless.
I'm in agreement with the folks who think it's a skunk or a weasel, the missing head and entrails is more their MO. I've read that skunks eat the head in particular to drink the blood. A raccoon on the other hand leaves death, dismemberment, terror and destruction wherever its been.

 

[DTOWNGIRL]

You know, we USED to keep a light on but haven't in awhile...EXCELLENT suggestion! This website has been wonderful! Thank you!

 

[huppfarm]

your hava heart trap is the same thing as the catchem alive trap and yes, that will confine your night time demon! you will know exactly who has been shrinking your flock.

 

[DTOWNGIRL]

Will that kind of trap catch a rat, too? What do I use for bait?

 

[lilcrow]

Salt pork, bacon, beef or pork suet, or peanut butter, but the meat is the best. You want them to go for that meat rather than your chickens. Fatty, greasy meat is nice and smelly.

You want it to be irresistible to them.

That way even if they are a little bit leery, they won't be able to resist. Weasels and rats are very hard to trap, dead or alive, so make the bait something unbelievable, something much better than chicken. I just thought also, if it's a skunk, you might want to put a piece of raw liver or some gizzards in there. I'd just make sure it was loaded for bear

(no pun intended) not that you're trying for a bear. Sorry about the sick humor. I sure hope you get it, whatever it is. You are living my nightmare, and I am so afraid that something is going to happen to mine one night. I think I've done everything I can do to make them safe, but I particularly don't trust raccoons. I think they are capable of anything once they decide they want something.

 

[huppfarm]

catfood from the can is pretty good to use, just a table spoon is a good lure. be sure you set it next to the pen where your chickens are, you dont want to lure it into the pen, just the trap. it knows theres food in the pen, it will come back.

 

[lilcrow]

Ummm yeah canned cat food. I can't think of anything that stinks better than that

I'd say that's perfect, it should smell up the whole area, which is just what you want. I'm dieing to know what this critter is. When are you going to set this trap?

 

[SunnyChic]

I hope you catch whatever it is...

 

[DTOWNGIRL]

UPDATE!!! Okay, we took all of the chicks out of the pen area and put in 2 traps with stinky cat food in the traps. This morning...NOTHING!!! At least no one OUT of the pen area was mauled. Believe me...we will try again tonight. BUT for today, we are clearing the barn out of EVERYTHING, cleaning well and then going over it with a fine toothed comb to make sure that we have every little crack closed up tight. Any other suggestion? You all have been so helpful and caring. Believe me, it is MUCH appreciated!!