Bummer- it's 4 am and I just came back inside from running off a predator that was trying to get my chickens. I have them in a 4' x 8' x 2' chicken tractor that is covered with 1" chicken wire. The real bummer is that I have a 2-strand electric fence wire around the perimeter (approx 2-4' from the tractor). I woke up to the sound of screaming chickens (there are only 4 of them, but they sounded as if they were all being slaughtered!). By the time I got out to the pen the predator was gone, but much to my dismay I saw tracks on BOTH sides of the electric wire. Not positive, cause I did not have a flashlight, but think it was a possum. Fortunately, he did not seem to have gotten into the pen, and the chickens seemed ok, just scared. So, I guess it's time to dig the firearms out of the closet, where they have been stored for hmmm, about 25 years! Which is better to use on the so and so- the rifle, or shotgun? I don't want to wake up all the neighbors, so the .22 would be my choice, if effective.

-- Elizabeth (ekfla@aol.com), January 19, 2001

Answers

Elizabeth, If you can afford it I would suggest picking up a live trap and baiting them. Saves on lost sleep and you can kill them when it is not the middle of the night. Watch out though, we caught the neighbor's cat once and was he ever mad!!! Oh, and this funny little black and white kitty with a white stripe down his back. Now there was a story!!! Good luck

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), January 19, 2001.

Hi Elizabeth, The first thing you need to do is get a little practice and re-familarize yourself with gun safety. Shotguns are fine under 15-20 yards with limited shooting ability. You may also get a chicken or two. A 22 is more accurate and easier to shoot, but be careful as it can penetrate a house wall. If you live very near others, considering using 22 shorts. Before you do anything with your guns, get some retraining and practice (also practice at night).

-- JLS in NW AZ (stalkingbull007@AOL.com), January 19, 2001.

You've already gotten some good advice and I'll add mine. Clean any firearm thats been in storage. We use a pump pellet Crossman 2200 magnum rifle for possums, foxes, snakes etc. Difficult for follow-up shots but very effective when taking careful aim. The shotgun approach is ok but as mentioned you might get a chicken as well as predator. The 22 (is that a single shot or semi-auto?) can be effective if your familiar with the weapon and have practiced shooting at night. My wife set up 12oz cans of soda around the outbuildings. I woke her up at 3 a.m. and she went straight outside we allowed for 60 seconds to find target, shoot target and secure area. Took 4 times till she got 98%. Practice becomes habit.

If your like me then shooting is just a natural extension of your ability. I can use my 22 and shoot from hip and hit most things over the size of a soda can at 25 yards. If thats you. Get them critters. :o)

Oh yes one other thought the wife says tell the neighbors you've been having critter visits and you plan to stop them. A friendly notice goes a long way with a "bang" in the night.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), January 19, 2001.

I'd go for the 22 & not the shotgun. As stated it will require more 'training' but you reduce the numbers of chickens lost to 'friendly' fire (if there is such a thing...).

You can use 22 shorts & keep the noise down. I believe you can also buy (mail order?) sub-sonic 22's which will make even less noise. You might also consider adding a $29 laser from WallyWorld to really _point_ your target.

Practice Practice Practice - and shoot safe -

j

-- j (jw_hsv@yahoo.com), January 19, 2001.

Live trap is the best approach. If you use a firearm use the .22 with rat shot cartridges at CLOSE range.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), January 19, 2001.

I've always used a 22, usually with a hollow point short cartridge. I have found that possums have done the most damage to our chicken flocks over the last 25+ years, followed by skunks. Fox and coyotes are less a problem than the neighborhood dogs that are allowed to roam. A mini-mag light taped to the rifle barrel is helpful.

Jim

-- Jim (jiminwis@yahoo.com), January 19, 2001.

You might just want to find out what kind of animal it is that is causing the disturbance first.

Cat tracks and possom tracks look a lot alike.

-- Ed Copp (OH) (edcopp@yahoo.com), January 19, 2001.

If you use a live trap, tie a rope on it and stretch it way out. That will help if you happen to catch a skunk! My father in law, a city slicker, coiled the rope up for my husband to "help" us out! When my husband went to remove the skunk the rope was not where he put it. He seemed to remember that someone told him that if a skunk can't raise its tail it can't spray! HA! noop! they're wrong! We buried his shirt!

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), January 19, 2001.

Thanks Everyone, for the advice. I decided to use the .22 because I figured if I used the shotgun I'd miss the possum and get all 4 chickens with one shot! Dragged the gun from the closet; cleaned it; stopped at WM for shells; practiced shooting soda cans at dusk to get the thing sighted in properly; notified the neighbors so they would not wake up thinking there was a range war going on- now wouldn't you know, I haven't seen that critter since! I think it came around the second night- I heard squawking around 1 am, but by the time I got out there nothing was to be found. Last night was quiet. Actually, before I got the gun out I poured urine around the outside of the electric fence- that may have deterred it. I like the idea of a trap but don't have one. If the problem returns I may try that. Thanks again, gang.

-- Elizabeth (ekfla@aol.com), January 21, 2001.

Hi Elizabeth

Aguila makes a 22 calibur bullet with no gunpowder just primer. It makes no noise. It shoots about as hard as a 22 short. May not kill critter at distance but up close as effective as pellet rifle pumped 10 times. We've used them and our neighbor never even knew we had killed 2 foxes and a raccoon that were into eating chicken at night. :o)

Won't cycle an auto but does well in single shots and revolvers.

Hope this helps.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), January 25, 2001.