| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| duckmama |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 12:40:57 PM
We could use some advice. For the first time since we moved to our new locations (5 years) we lost an 8 week old duckling to a fishercat, and have a second one injured. He never got in their pen, but somehow managed to scare them into a corner were he could rip at them through the fencing. I am dbating using a Have-a-heart trap, but have no idea what to bait it with ( nor what to do with it if we catch it).
Any ideas?
Driven 2 Distraction
Designing Green
Living Green |
| 6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| duckmama |
Posted - May 24 2011 : 11:23:25 AM
Thanks for the ideas..
Well, we currently have a trap out ( thanks to a local trapper) and I am ordering the urine. My son is being woken up during the night by it crying. Everytime he goes out and checks on the animals.
So, as for my animals. We lost the one duck the night of the attack. My husband and I discussed taking an ax to one who was badly lauled and had a broken leg we could not cast. Instead I cleaned the wounds out and moved her to the house. She spent the first few days in a cardboard box being hand feed and watered. We finally placed her in the kitchen sink to clean up and she was thrilled. She now spends her days hoping on one foot from place to place ( having lost total use of the other leg). During the day she is with the others, but at night she now resides in a extra large dog kennel in my studio.
She has been named DoB and my husband is currently trying to figure out if he can paper train her so she can become a house duck...
I will let you know if we get the fishercat.
Duckmama
Driven 2 Distraction
Designing Green
Living Green |
| Woodswoman |
Posted - May 15 2011 : 5:50:49 PM
Fishers are also one of the few predators that prey regularly on squirrels - we have at least one around here, but I've yet to see a real dent in the number of squirrels at my bird feeders. I keep hoping, though.
Jennifer
Farmgirl Sister #104
"Nature brings to every time and season some beauties of its own".
-Charles Dickens |
| batznthebelfry |
Posted - May 14 2011 : 6:46:55 PM
A fishercat is of the mink family but much larger & more aggressive...actually very pretty animals but deadly on chickens, rabbits, ducks, small wildlife birds....but they do have their good points as they do eat/kill moles /voles if you are over run with them...Michele'
Chickens rule!
The Old Batz Farm
Hen #2622 |
| walkinwalkoutcattle |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 3:09:08 PM
Oh man! I've never seen one of those around here...it's like a mongoose + a weasel. Crazy! I'm glad you found a solution! I couldn't figure out what was getting to my chickens until I walked into the coop one day and there was a possum that had gotten himself stuck!
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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| Blessed in Colorado |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 2:21:32 PM
Okay, this old city girl has never heard of fishercats what the heck are they? Do they live in the mountains too or forest and woods only?
Farm girl Hugs,
Debbie
www.etsy.com/shop/CollectThisTreasures
http://debbielynnf.blogspot.com
http://myworld.ebay.com/debbt |
| batznthebelfry |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 1:24:51 PM
Oh honey I am so sorry, I had one of those a few years back that killed a chicken & a rabbit & the rooster ended up all cut & bloody trying to protect the other girls..who I might add he was able to do...anyway I got on line & went to a hunting site & got a lion urine spray that I sprayed around the fencing of the runs & coops....so far I have been safe from all animals that want my chickens with it....but it has to be sprayed every time it rains....for some reason it doesn't bother the chickens, they don't reconize the scent as a danger so they go on with their business but it seems to keep the fishercats, raccoons, skunks, cats & dogs away.....I make sure when I spray it around the run I get part of the fencing just to be on the safe side & any big rocks ect that I have around there...when I go take care of my friends coops I take it & do it for her as she has bears on top of all the other animals & so far so good with her as well...fishercats are such cool animals but man can they destroy a coop & they don't even eat the whole chicken just the head & vent area. so its horrible to find your poor chickens after one has hit. anyway this may help you as it has for me & I live right up against a small forest...it also works on the trashcans & other areas you want left alone...& it really doesn't smell bad...not like a litter box or anything...& the spray lasted a long time for you....good luck & again I am sorry you had to have this happen...Michele'
Chickens rule!
The Old Batz Farm
Hen #2622 |
