Having predtor issue

[jenns anipals]

What do you mean by this...are the birds being pulled thru a fence or attacked in an open area?
More specifics and pics of your coop and run would help here.

Belive being pulled trew not 100 getting cam to put out there and traps to put around I was kicked by the horse and have not really Been able to do more work but so far no more missing sence more fixings were done and post was made still got more to do to ensure I fugire out their safety

 

[jenns anipals]

Good post by @swamphiker .

I'm not opposed to permanently removing predators actively hunting your area, it reduces the predator pressure. I recently legally permanently removed a raccoon and two possum. But then I saw a third possum in the area when I was out at night. Removing them reduces hunting pressure but does not eliminate it.

@jenns anipals I have no idea what your local laws are about trapping certain animals, let alone how to legally dispose of them. In many locations it is illegal to kill them or even relocate them. I suggest you talk to your local animal control about that. But that assumes you know what the predator is. That is not always that easy to determine. If you don't know what the problem is then it can be really hard to deal with.

There are many different suggestions to keep predators away, I've tried many of them. Special soaps or predator urine for example. I've never tried fake owls but @BigBlueHen53 's story sounds about right. Sometimes they may work for a short time but the critters quickly learn that it is not a real threat. Sometimes (like the soap) they didn't work at all.

The best way to protect your chickens are barriers. I don't know what your coop or run look like, what is getting them, or when so it is hard to give specific recommendations. If you could provide better information and maybe photos of your set-up we might be better able to help. What do the carcasses look like? What kind of injuries and are they eaten or partially eaten? When are they taken? I understand how frustrating this can be but I can't help much without knowing what you are working with in regard to coop and run and what is actually happening.

Ya ive decided against the owl thing I am going to get a cam for back there. and there no carcasses they are just gone there are a few feathers and that's it we got some spray foam and filled and areas we thought somthingncould get in this is a new coop for me and a new flock shoot this is a new home.for me as well so learing the land and want predators we have tryingnto pin point what is going on I will try and make it out there for some photos soon I know I'm going to have issues posting them as I can never get the right format for the sight lol I'm horrid with this kinda stuff I still have some.work to touch up in the coop hope that I can solve this soon so far no more missing sence the foam was added so that's a plus

 

[jenns anipals]

Note that it is illegal to intentionally kill or harm birds of prey which are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. You can trap possums, but be aware that if you remove one animal, another one is likely to come and take its place. Everything loves to eat chicken, so more predators will always be drawn in, so you would likely need to trap again soon after removing your current problem animal. Plus, there's always the possibility that a predator gets to your chickens rather than falling for the trap.

Because of this, I focus my efforts on predator proofing rather than predator removal. For birds of prey, you can put up netting over your run. Note that hawks and other birds can get caught in the netting and you'll need to keep an eye on it to disentangle them. I can get away without covering my run with netting or a roof because my run has lots of shrubs and small trees, which provide my chickens lots of cover and places to hide and make it difficult for hawks and owls to have enough space to get in and grab a chicken. YMMV depending on location, of course. Where I am, my most common birds of prey are red-shouldered hawks and barred owls, which are pretty small to make a go at a full-grown standard hens. I built a separate grow-out pen for chicks covered in hardware cloth to help keep them from getting picked off by birds of prey and snakes.

I have a lot of possums in my neighborhood, but I have never had an issue with them during the day. Are they getting into the coop at night? If so, your coop needs additional predator proofing. Make sure everything is covered in hardware cloth. If you send pictures of your set up we can give you better advice.

Whole coop is wrapped in chicken wire and has a corrugated metal roof so I don't think it's a bird what ever it is was able to get trew some gaps which are now filled goingnto get a cam for back there and it's happning at night that's why I'm leaning towards possum I know this can always be a thing when starting a new coop in a new area don't make any less sad I love my little birds will be doing more work on it once healed got kicked in knee by the horse the other day

 

[jenns anipals]

If you trap a varmint, please be prepared to dispatch it. It can be illegal to relocate it. Check the laws in your state.

I will be looking into it

 

[jenns anipals]

An owl decoy won't do much, I wouldn't bother. I've seen pigeons perch all over one and the roof it was mounted on.

Ya thanks upon answers here and a bit more research I've decided against this and getting a cam for back there to try and see what I'm dealing with I'm doing all the things I can think of tho I take good care of my flock I love them they are more like pets to me then just an animal

 

[swamphiker]

Whole coop is wrapped in chicken wire and has a corrugated metal roof so I don't think it's a bird what ever it is was able to get trew some gaps which are now filled goingnto get a cam for back there and it's happning at night that's why I'm leaning towards possum I know this can always be a thing when starting a new coop in a new area don't make any less sad I love my little birds will be doing more work on it once healed got kicked in knee by the horse the other day

Chicken wire is good for keeping chickens in, but you'll need to upgrade to hardware cloth in order to keep predators out. Possums

I hope you heal quickly! That sounds painful.

 

[jenns anipals]

Chicken wire is good for keeping chickens in, but you'll need to upgrade to hardware cloth in order to keep predators out. Possums

I hope you heal quickly! That sounds painful.

It is but the boyfriends bulldog tryed to go after the horse I got in the middle to save them I got the icky end of the stick the dog and horse are fine I'll be ok just swollen and bruised ok I will look into hardware cloth is ther a gauge that is best I know alot of things have different sizes I'm will to add that around what we already have just ordered 2 really high ranked cams one for front view and one for the back view this flock momma isn't messing around

 

[swamphiker]

It is but the boyfriends bulldog tryed to go after the horse I got in the middle to save them I got the icky end of the stick the dog and horse are fine I'll be ok just swollen and bruised ok I will look into hardware cloth is ther a gauge that is best I know alot of things have different sizes I'm will to add that around what we already have just ordered 2 really high ranked cams one for front view and one for the back view this flock momma isn't messing around

I use 1/2", which is sufficient to keep nearly everything out. Some folks prefer 1/4" to completely exclude small critters like mice and rats.

 

[jenns anipals]

I use 1/2", which is sufficient to keep nearly everything out. Some folks prefer 1/4" to completely exclude small critters like mice and rats.

Thank you so far happy updated seems the extra work helped no more missing chicks still hurt but also ding more improvements to coop I'm so happy everyone here is kind and understands sometimes nature happens with new coops so happy still lots more work but taking things kinda slow my mate is away but I am working on things

 

[jenns anipals]

I use 1/2", which is sufficient to keep nearly everything out. Some folks prefer 1/4" to completely exclude small critters like mice and rats.

Also cams came today partner will help.set up in 3 days once home