The Hunt for Mystery Predator

[RossAcres]

So I have had the occasional predator come through my electric fence and kill something. The first time it was something that came in and took off the heads of 6 quail. I realized it was because I left a tree standing that was accessible from the other side of the fence. I removed that tree and made sure the fence was energized properly all the way around.
The other day, I found my small OEGB rooster without his head. No other injuries or bite marks. I placed a trap near where I found the body and caught the tiniest baby possum. I highly doubt this little guy did it. I set the traps again. A few with wet cat food, the others with sardines.
Yesterday, I realized one of my hookbills was missing. No feathers, no blood, nothing. She either got out and got lost, or an owl got her. I'm leaning towards an owl. The door on the coop is broken so sometimes the ducks get out into their run at night. But they have a wire fence and an electric fence around that. So the only thing I can think of is an owl.
I was able to find a dog-proof trap at a local store. I have heard from many that a dog-proof trap work best for raccoons. I'm really hoping this is true. I have been using live traps with little success.
Does anyone have any tips or tricks for trapping raccoons? I'm still trying to figure out how they got through the electric fence.

 

[sourland]

Are your birds in a covered pen? If not, my gut instinct is that a
Great Horned Owl is the predator.

 

[ChicNmom]

I think raccoons like smelly bait like sardines and tuna.

The last one I trapped I used fish flavored vole bait. But I already knew it was going after it in the vole traps.

 

[ChicNmom]

I just saw your other thread. So I guess fish didn't work.

You also have to make sure your trap doesn't have a new smell with oil etc on it. I always set my traps out to weather when I first get them

Also bait but don't set if possible so they get a few snacks and aren't as suspicious.

 

[PatriciafromCO]

I hear skunks like mini marshmellows???

 

[McChooky]

Covering it would save time and money .Otherwise you'll be dealing with predators on an ongoing basis and still risk losing your flock

 

[McChooky]

So I have had the occasional predator come through my electric fence and kill something. The first time it was something that came in and took off the heads of 6 quail. I realized it was because I left a tree standing that was accessible from the other side of the fence. I removed that tree and made sure the fence was energized properly all the way around.
The other day, I found my small OEGB rooster without his head. No other injuries or bite marks. I placed a trap near where I found the body and caught the tiniest baby possum. I highly doubt this little guy did it. I set the traps again. A few with wet cat food, the others with sardines.
Yesterday, I realized one of my hookbills was missing. No feathers, no blood, nothing. She either got out and got lost, or an owl got her. I'm leaning towards an owl. The door on the coop is broken so sometimes the ducks get out into their run at night. But they have a wire fence and an electric fence around that. So the only thing I can think of is an owl.
I was able to find a dog-proof trap at a local store. I have heard from many that a dog-proof trap work best for raccoons. I'm really hoping this is true. I have been using live traps with little success.
Does anyone have any tips or tricks for trapping raccoons? I'm still trying to figure out how they got through the electric fence.

Try marshmallows.

 

[RossAcres]

Covering it would save time and money .Otherwise you'll be dealing with predators on an ongoing basis and still risk losing your flock

I plan on covering it but it requires rebuilding the whole run. So for now I have two giant umbrellas covering most of it lol

 

[lagrange chicks]

Also dry cat food works well in dog proof traps, and boiling the trap in water with some baking soda will remove the oils.

 

[McChooky]

My coop and runs built like fort knox but its ugly as sin lol