It’s like a smorgasbord in the traps tonight:
Trap
I’ve taken the advice of everyone! There’s corn on the cob, skin from smoked salmon, marshmallows and Fruit Loops! Let’s hope we get a few takers and everything works like it should.
We’ve lost 4 chickens and 2 turkeys in the past week. So long as everything is locked inside the coops, nothing can get to them. Tonight, everything is locked inside so there should be no danger to my animals but I’m so tired of losing everything that I can’t get locked inside. The only way to guarantee that they’re all going to be locked up at dark is to not let them out of their pens and that just isn’t the kind of chicken mama I want to be but . . I also would like to keep a few live chickens so for now, they’re having to stay in their pens.
We’ve been raising chickens for 5 or 6 years now and have never had a week like this past week. It has to get better . .
Cathy Stoddard says
I used to use a portable dog pen I could move around for the ones that were difficult to get in at night. I also only fed them in the evening when it was time to come in. I had Black Australorps, Auracaunas, and Bantams. I had very few that didn’t want to come in at feed time. I get my chicken house back this spring – has been housing hubby’s tools – and am looking forward to having chickens again!!
Linda in NE says
Maybe what you need is a larger outdoor dog or two to patrol the premises while you’re asleep. They can be a great deterrent to the critters. We had a great pair of dogs when I was a kid. They not only chased the critters away but treed them. One would guard the tree while the other came and jumped against the house door and barked until Dad went out and shot the critter. Teamwork!
Judy L. says
Just went out to check, and one trap is sprung with nothing in it. I hope the other one does better.
Brandy M. says
I’m sorry, Judy. I know this is the difficult part of being a chicken-mama. I hope the traps are a success tonight! Hugs!
Judy L. says
Nothing last night. We’ll try again tonight.