Trying to catch a chicken serial killer!

[Tyler-The-Piker]

My money is on the mink.

 

[Reagan40]

The traps were empty again this morning. I’m wondering if I should switch things up a bit or just leave it as is and be patient.

 

[Salty]

What bait did you decide on? I have used dry cat food plus peanut butter with success.

 

[pjcalla]

Mink, for sure. We had 6 chickens slaughtered in one day. I was using a chicken tractor with 1" hardware cloth underneath and up the sides two feet. I had 2" x 3" fencing on the top and the top 2' of the sides. We never had a problem with coons getting in, but there were plenty of tracks on the roof, etc. My wife saw the mink climb the 1" and slither through the 2" x 3" opening.

They are sick bastards, just kill to kill. I've heard they drink the blood as well.

 

[hem_ker]

After you secure your run/tractor as previously described ...

I’ve had the same problem on our hobby-farm and the most success I’ve had are the following baited with marshmallows (specifically designed to ensure you don’t catch a cat or dog, are far more economical & effective in my experience than a live traps)...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00T13NW3Y?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_yo_pop_mb_pd_t2

(Duke Powder Coated Dog Proof Racoon Traps)

 

[two70]

After you secure your run/tractor as previously described ...

I’ve had the same problem on our hobby-farm and the most success I’ve had are the following baited with marshmallows (specifically designed to ensure you don’t catch a cat or dog, are far more economical & effective in my experience than a live traps)...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00T13NW3Y?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_yo_pop_mb_pd_t2

(Duke Powder Coated Dog Proof Racoon Traps)

Yes, that is definitely the way to go if you are sure the problem animal is a raccoon. They don't work for other varmints though. It is pretty easy/cheap to build your own wire live traps instead of buying them if you need more than one.

 

[Reagan40]

Still nothing caught in the trap. I did find that one of the wires on the trap was severely bent inward. It appears something got in the trap, but stayed away from the trigger. It appears that whatever was in the trap was trying to get through one side wall in f the trap to get to the chickens. My plan now is to put a spring trap inside the live trap, closer to the entrance of the live trap. This way, if the animal goes in the trap at all, I should get it.

 

[mom45]

Depending on the brand of the live trap, some need to be tweaked so they work properly. The Havahart are worth the money. We had some of the ones from Tractor Supply that were sold in a set, and they suck.

 

[Reagan40]

Depending on the brand of the live trap, some need to be tweaked so they work properly. The Havahart are worth the money. We had some of the ones from Tractor Supply that were sold in a set, and they suck.

Well... I got the set of 2 from tractor supply. It successfully trapped one of my meat chickens today. He didn’t seem to mind so much. I was surprised that something was able to start tearing the trap apart. Tomorrow evening, I’ll have the spring trap, so hopefully that will catch this critter.

 

[mom45]

Well... I got the set of 2 from tractor supply. It successfully trapped one of my meat chickens today. He didn’t seem to mind so much. I was surprised that something was able to start tearing the trap apart. Tomorrow evening, I’ll have the spring trap, so hopefully that will catch this critter.

I think my husband had to adjust the flap so it stuck up higher to get it to trip...I know he adjusted it several times and had to do it after almost every time we trapped something to get it to work again. The Havahart was more expensive but works much better so is worth the extra dollars. Good luck!

 

[Spike Jones 5 2002]

Is the mink climbing up a metal fence?
I purchased 10, 9 volt batteries in a bulk pack from Menards.
I turned every other battery around.
So I had a + post by a - post.
I took a small wire around from + on one battery to the - of the next.
When all are connected you now have a 90 volt battery.
Now cut a 6 inch strip of the metal fencing.
Now tack a strip of wood so 6 1/2 is just directly above the regular fence on each fence post.
Pull it tight so it does not sag and touch the fence.
Now connect one terminal of the battery to the standard fence and the other to the strip.
Now when the mink climbs the original fence and progress to the strip.
It will get a 90 volt shock.
Sense the two fences are not touching the batteries will last a long time.

 

[Reagan40]

Still nothing in the trap. I had to leave town for a couple of days, and the trap did not get put in place for 2 nights in a row. No chickens were harmed during that time. Im wondering if whatever the critter was realized I was on to him and decided to look elsewhere for food. I have had the trap in place the last two nights and nothing. Ill keep trying and post pics if I catch anything.

 

[Cygnus]

Your gonna have to blast.

Is it this guy?