I'm loosing chickens.
I had been suspicious of night time activity. I keep my working girls locked up tight at night. It only took a couple weeks for the fox to grow bold enough to take them by day. Yes, it has been visually verified as a fox.
I've yet to identify it's den. I've tried a live trap, which has brought me great success with coons opossum and skunk. But, it's not working for the fox. Something is getting the bait, but no results.
I just don't bounce back well enough to sit for hours with a shotgun in my lap. I still work, and it's just not going to happen at night.
I used to trap muskrat and whatever else I could catch back in the days where fur was worth the effort. But it's been a while. I usually set them near obvious trails or dens. This is different as there is no obvious trail, entry or exit point.
I'm pretty good at snaring, if I new where the den was at. I've been over the place several times. I would expect feathers, if not a notable smell. If memory serves, a fox den is musky. I'm guessing it's not on my property.
Creating a funnel to the chickens would probably only catch my chickens. I've been thinking about penning them up and see if it starts digging under the pen. I'd probably loose another chicken, but then I'd have a clear funnel to set a snare.
So, I'm thinking of moving on to traps ... strangle mangle or hold. Maybe a perimeter of baited traps. What ever works. Any tips or suggestions? What size or style of trap? Setting, techniques? Any particular bait?
Thought I would seek some suggestions before I start experimenting.
Thanks in advance.
