Lost my chickens

[Boondox]

Had to leave town this past week on business. While I was out a red fox ran thru the flock and killed every single bird. He made no attempt to eat them; just tore them apart and ran after the next one. One hen was killed right in front of my wife about 15 feet from the side porch!

I'd never been overly concerned about predators making off with a chicken now and then. My home is pretty much right in the middle of their turf, afterall. But this waste has me pretty upset. Not sure if I want to shoot it or have it trapped and relocated. In the meantime I've cut the meadow shorter to give the little fella less cover...and switched to bantams that have a fighting chance of flying to safety.

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

 

[DrDan]

Ya right - relocate it somewhere else so it can rip up somebody elses chit. Gheesh! Dust the dang thing!

Dr Dan

 

[RPM]

Boondox,

Time to get the predator calling tape out. He'll be back - just make sure you have the welcoming committee set out.

 

[DrDan]

Can you imagine what this varmint does to wild game?
I'd have that pelt tacked out drying as soon as possible.

Dr Dan

 

[M. Sullivan]

My neighbor just lost all his to racoons (now departed)! First night they got two. He buried them, put out a live trap, and put the chicckens/rooster in a metal cage the next night. The next morning found those buried dug-up, the cage was ripped open and the rest picked clean to the bone, and a big mama coon snarling in the trap. Next night a big male in the trap. Never thought coons would be able to get into a metal cage. Getting to be a big problem tearing up the trash as well. We've added them to the most wanted list along with the red squirrels.....

 

[StoneHeartFarm]

22 LR? or #4 in 20ga?

SHF

 

[Boondox]

I'd never relocate an animal to someone else's property, Dan. That would be unethical. There's enough state land out here to provide a new home. It's all academic, however. Before I could line up a trap the fox came back. Had no choice but to reach out and touch it with the .35 Marlin. Not much left of the pelt, though. Just a big pink smear in the meadow.

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

 

[RPM]

.35 Marlin is quite a caliber.

I guess if I was really ticked I'd have to go get myself an 8 gauge Goose gun.

What was it they used to use - I think it was a blunderbuss? You could just open the back door and let loose in the yard and cut the grass at the same time as get the fox??!!

 

[Boondox]

The choice of firearms is a regular topic of conversation in the country. I have a 10/22 for those destructive little squirrels. Then the day came when I was facing a very bold coyote who was not afraid of my five goldens. Didn't want to leave something wounded and suffering, so chucked a few rocks instead of reaching for the rifle. But I went out the next day and bought the Marlin. Big hunk of lead that doesn't travel excessively far. With it I can hit soda cans at 150 yards, but the round fizzles pretty quickly after that. And leaving injured animals behind isn't a problem anymore.

Out here, any time a fellow buys a new firearm he has to take it out and show it around. The poor flatlanders down in the village must think battle has broken out when we all get together for show and tell! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Semper Fi
Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

 

[skent]

I used to have one. (Marlin 35 Rem) Traded it for a Remington 1100 Auto Load Shot Gun. Biggest mistake (gun wise) I ever made. Didn't like the 1100. Ended up trading it for a Marlin 3030 (same model as the 35 Rem). Felt the same and I had more choice for Ammo. But just didn't shoot as well as the 35 Rem round.

Steve