What is good bait for a live trap

[chickenmama109]

Hi do I don't know what is getting in my coop for the past week so I've tried a couple of things to keep it out but it's not working so I'm going to set a live trap what ever it is is eating all of my eggs I was thinking it was a skunk but the coop does not smell like skunk so it could be a possum a raccoon or a skunk what bait can I put in a live trap that those animals all like. Thanks

 

[Ridgerunner]

Good question. I made my own by saving the debris from making chicken broth. That veggies, herbs, and chicken smell worked well. I've caught a lot of raccoon and possum with peanut butter, but no skunks. Tuna or sardines would probably work on all three so that would be my choice.

What do the egg shells look like? If they are broken in half and licked clean, much like they would look if they had hatched, probably a skunk. If they are smashed to bits probably a possum. I'm not sure how a raccoon breaks them.

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

Hi do I don't know what is getting in my coop for the past week so I've tried a couple of things to keep it out but it's not working so I'm going to set a live trap what ever it is is eating all of my eggs I was thinking it was a skunk but the coop does not smell like skunk so it could be a possum a raccoon or a skunk what bait can I put in a live trap that those animals all like. Thanks

If it’s stealing your eggs then the best bait to use in your trap is eggs.

Are there snakes where you live ?

 

[OhZark Biddies]

Cheap canned cat food works about as well as anything in a live trap... but dry cat food works well.

Sweet stuff works also. marshmallows, left over holiday candy, and I was using grape jelly earlier this year while the mulberry tree was bringing predators to the yard.. mostly because I had it left over once the oriels migrated on through

 

[chickenmama109]

Good question. I made my own by saving the debris from making chicken broth. That veggies, herbs, and chicken smell worked well. I've caught a lot of raccoon and possum with peanut butter, but no skunks. Tuna or sardines would probably work on all three so that would be my choice.

What do the egg shells look like? If they are broken in half and licked clean, much like they would look if they had hatched, probably a skunk. If they are smashed to bits probably a possum. I'm not sure how a raccoon breaks them.

They are broke in half thanks for the info

 

[chickenmama109]

If it’s stealing your eggs then the best bait to use in your trap is eggs.

Are there snakes where you live ?

Yes I have found a snake in my coop not too long ago but what ever is getting in is digging with nails that's the only way I know it's not a snake but thanks for the info

 

[chickenmama109]

Cheap canned cat food works about as well as anything in a live trap... but dry cat food works well.

Sweet stuff works also. marshmallows, left over holiday candy, and I was using grape jelly earlier this year while the mulberry tree was bringing predators to the yard.. mostly because I had it left over once the oriels migrated on through

Thanks for the info I appreciate it

 

[chickenmama109]

They are broke in half thanks for the info

Well I just thought if this but there was a egg that I only found a little peace of it it had ate the hole shell

 

[MROO]

Talk about a dilemma! Are you SURE you want to live-trap a SKUNK! You may NEVER get the smell out of your coop ... and if it doesn't release it's ... ummm ... perfume ... who is going to "bell" the proverbial cat?
Seems to me the best bet would be to improve your predator-proofing, instead. It would prove less ... ummm ... aromatic ... in the long run!

 

[chickenmama109]

Talk about a dilemma! Are you SURE you want to live-trap a SKUNK! You may NEVER get the smell out of your coop ... and if it doesn't release it's ... ummm ... perfume ... who is going to "bell" the proverbial cat?
Seems to me the best bet would be to improve your predator-proofing, instead. It would prove less ... ummm ... aromatic ... in the long run!

Yes that is why I did not set the trap in the first place but my brother has acaditly trapped a skunk before so he kinda no we how to let one go but I am scared of the smell going in my coop and I can't put wire under the ground I hope it won't be too bad lol