Any suggestions: I've lost all but 7 of my chickens (out of nearly 60)

[ruth]

If the chicks are in coops and runs that are "predator proof" inside a barn can you put some cats and/or dogs in the barn at night? The cat/dog shouldn't be able to get the chicks and would deter any coons from coming in barn. I think the reason I am able free range and have an open top run and open coop is that we have so many cats and dogs that interact with the chickens. Any other predator would have to stand in line or run the gauntlet. My 4 cats and 2 dogs don't bother the chickens and even guard them and sleep with them but if you think your's would and your chicks are in secure runs/coops, then get yourself a cat or dog if you don't have one already and let it live in the barn.

 

[laursink]

I had a big coon problem in the early summer we found that we had to keep moving the trap or the coons would just roll it over and steal the food.
Thanks for the marshmellow tip. Had no idea about that. We use anything strong smelling.

 

[cgjsmith]

Thanks ya'll. I had been using canned cat food and hot dogs LOL. they didn't touch it. I might have to try the marshmellows. We thought about using the electric fence but are too afraid the 2 and 4 year old would shock themselves. We are getting an austrailan shepard puppy to put into the fence with the goats and sheep. At least one of the runs is in the fence so I hope that will help.
Nuchickmomma, I am looking for wheaton marans, and mille fleur and porcalin d'ucclas. My hubby says we have to stick two three or four breeds I had almost 10 breeds LOL. Crystal

 

[nuchickmama]

If you are close to Sparta, go down Spring St past the hospital and past the fairgrounds a short distance and on the left is a flea market looking place. Donnie may be able to help you. You may also want to check out the county fairs. Sometimes people sell their birds after the show.

 

[Dawn419]

So sorry to hear of your loss!

I also think the weather/drought has been causing pred problems here in TN. Our landlady has a farm behind us and has lost several types of poultry and a few miniature goats in the past months.

We've had rabbits for 6 years, just added chickens this year and 'Knock on wood" all has been well. I'm sure our Australian Shepherd has alot to do with our luck too.

Dawn

 

[lizardz]

I'm so sorry for your losses. I can understand why it would be hard to want to get more chickies just to feed those nasty ole coons. I know a lot of people around here have been having troubles with them, and they've been using marshmellows soaked with syrup - apparently they were catching too many cats with the tuna!LOL! But the coons seem to love the marshmellows. I would be cautious about putting cats/dogs in as protectors as coons have been known to kill both. They can get pretty nasty if they feel threatened. Good luck. I hope you catch them soon.

 

[chicknmania]

That's exactly what happened to us. We have a huge barn, too. And guess what..we DID sit out there all night one night and chickensat. It was freezing, but enlightening as we were able to learn what types of predators we had, how they were getting in, and what times they were the most active; also it was interesting to watch the roos communicating to us that something was HIDING in the barn. We lost fifteen chickens in three weeks; mostly to raccoons, but also skunks and a weasel. Look at how your birds are being killed; gross, but is the head gone and they are torn up? If that's the case, it probably is coons or possums. Try marshmallows and tuna; that's what we used;or sardines; also; a trick from a local trapper; cover your havahart with a tarp or plastic bag so the coon can't reach his hands in and get the bait from the outside. You could try a game camera to document what's going on, if all else fails. I don't know about the REVENGE thing; they are just animals trying to survive, after all... it's nothing personal and shouldn't be viewed that way; but, coons won't leave you alone til you trap em and dispose of them, or til all your birds are gone. You might want to call a professional trapper; some are very reasonable.

 

[chicknmania]

Oh, yeah, also about the dogs/ cats...we used our dogs and they were a great help; we didn't leave them in the barn all nigt, but we did take them out there last thing and they would tell us if anything was in there; and where it was; our one dog loved this nightly routine and it was her that flushed out a huge mama raccoon and young one hiding in our barn. I would be wary about leaving a dog or cat in there with a raccoon; cats would probably avoid a coon, and dogs can get really torn up by one, unless they know what they're doing in fighting one. A coon will jump on a dog's head if it can, and gouge their eyes. And they do not scare away easily, really; our coons just went up in the barn rafters after we flushed them, and stayed there despite us with two crazy barking dogs, a barnful of rioting chickens, a squirtgun loaded with vinegar, fireworks, and even prodding with a stick and throwing rocks didn't help much. I think they get too scared to run away.

 

[ruth]

My idea about leaving a dog in the barn at night didn't include putting a dog in barn where there were already coons but that by having a dog in the barn maybe the coons would smell it and not come in. I speak from experience that our dogs stay outside and we have not had a problem with coons though there are many here in our woods. Ever since we got dogs they don't even come in our yard anymore - the last ones - that showed up after we starting leaving the dogs out at night - got treed and we've never seen another one.

Our run has no top and our coop is left open and I've never had a problem with any predator - I can only attribute it to the fact that Rex, our GSD, guards and his scent keeps everything away. I hear him bark, growl and chase things off many times a night so I know he's on active duty all night long. I never see what he's after but apparently he can smell it long before it gets close and off he goes into woods.

Anyway, just an idea. But no, I wouldn't throw him in with a caged coon or a coon already in my barn.

 

[seedcorn]

Mix of cola and fly bate will take care of coons.