Building a Hobby Farm- from woods to eggs

[tony123]

Thanks for all the kind words. It is sad. My hardest battle right now is keeping my wife's spirits up. It's been difficult for her. Toro, I know you lost a bunch of chickens to a coon (if I remember right?) how did your wife take it? indifferent?

Happyman, the camera is a great idea and would be lots of fun, I just don't have it in the budget at the moment. I'm a work at home Dad to stay with the boys, but that's meant my income has been cut in half for the last 3 years.

Taylor, we went to TSC this evening, and the only trap they had large enough to fit a dog was $180! I saw the $40 ones, but they wouldn't work for anything larger than a coon. What size did you use for the dogs, bobcat, etc.? Do you know the dimensions? Anyway, If I was going to spend that much, I would probably go with a game camera.

An idea though...I bet animal control has traps that they would issue out. I'm going to call them tomorrow!

Mark, thanks for the generous offer. The generosity of the members of this forum is amazing. I'll PM you if we get to that point. I'm hoping animal control will be of help with a trap.

Toro, I'm feeling more and more that it must be a dog. Every attack has been in the daytime. I don't think anything else would be doing it in broad daylight.

WHEN we start again, it will likely be with started pullets. We're going to miss having eggs in the meantime.

Here's a few photos of the chicken tractor. Note the chicken wire and heavier fence wire. Those are my two wounded girls in there. They are spending 90% of the time in a box in the garage now, but I put them in the tractor when we're outside. They're doing pretty well. The Black Star is well on its way to recovery, the Red is not walking much, but otherwise seems alert and neither is showing pain.

 

[tony123]

I made some phone calls today. First off, Animal Control. The lady answered with typical government office attitude (hope I don't offend any of you). I promptly said I would call back when she was in a better mood, and she quickly apologized. Answer, they only handle dogs and cats.

Next, I called DNR. He said from my descriptions, it's either bobcat, coyote or domestic dog. Based on daytime and happening when we're gone, he bets its the latter.

They used to loan traps, but no longer do. He also said coyotes were too smart to get in a trap and none of these would really fit in the medium trap anyway. He said any fur bearing animal within a hundred yards of the house may be shot without permit if a nausense.

I suggested that I bait and wait with a shotgun and he suggested that may be the best option. I'm loading up buckshot as I type.....

 

[nmu98]

Tony,
I have followed this from the beginning and this is a sad ending. But, if i could suggest you think about buying some foot traps. I think they are called cona-bears. They are inexpensive, and could be baited pretty easily, and even done a ways away from your chickens and childeren by digging a small hole on an angle and putting some meat inside. I don't know if you could possibly use snares, but we have great luck with them also.

Good luck.

 

[Happyman]

I WANT PICTURES OF THIS

 

[tony123]

This won't be the end!

All this time I was under the assumption that foot traps had become illegal or something? I wouldn't be opposed to using one.

 

[JDeerekid]

He said any fur bearing animal within a hundred yards of the house may be shot without permit if a nausense.

I suggested that I bait and wait with a shotgun and he suggested that may be the best option. I'm loading up buckshot as I type.....

This is what the sheriff and DEC officers said in my neck of the woods. About 5 years ago we had a new neighbor move in between me and the other neighbor. They brought 4 dogs that they chained outside right on my other neighbors property line. They were not very nice dogs. The owners would take off for days at a time and the dogs would get loose and chase after the nieghbors young kids. He threathened to shoot the dogs if they were not taken care off. The owner of the dogs called the sheriff and the sheriff told my nieghbor if he shot the dogs that he would go to jail (go figure). He said that someone must get bite or physically attacked to make it legal to shoot the dog. Long story short sheriff said gets some animals and if the dog gets out and trys to attack your animals you can shoot it. So the next day the neighbor got a couple geese and fenced them in a small area. Sure enough the dogs got out and killed one of the geese the neighbor killed the dog. He got this on video for proof the dog was eating his goose. He called the DEC first and the officer said to do what he had to do and he would be out as soon as he could. So I guess that is the rule anywhere.

Good luck and hope you dont give up.

 

[nmu98]

This won't be the end!

All this time I was under the assumption that foot traps had become illegal or something? I wouldn't be opposed to using one.

They are not in my state. It would seem to me a better opportunity since they would not have to be watched 24/7. Good Luck!

 

[barneyrb]

Tony, do you own a bow? Silent but deadly killing machine. I killed a Shepard (tried to attack my daughter when she was 4). The dog made it back to the owners yard and everyone couldn't figure out what made the hole in his side.

 

[Tororider]

Tony, do you own a bow? Silent but deadly killing machine. I killed a Shepard (tried to attack my daughter when she was 4). The dog made it back to the owners yard and everyone couldn't figure out what made the hole in his side.

Did you shoot it while it was attacking? If so you have far more confidence in your aim than I do in mine.

I was thinking a tranq gun. If it is the dog you can tranq it and then show your neighbor. I look forward to finding out what you learn. I am guessing you are still sleeping since you were up all night with the shotgun watching the chicken tractor.

 

[polo1665]

Tony,
Here in Ohio it seems that most counties have nuisance trappers. I met one of the trappers in my county a few weeks ago when I found his hunting dog. perhaps they have them in your state as well. I hope you find your culprit.

Mark