26 Dead Poults in Pen

[old keeper]

As I asked, were there any taken? I think you have the answer. What is the state of the electric fence, if even a single strand is used which I have always had, is positioned correctly you really shouldn't have problems. Foxes don't like getting zapped and certainly if a decent battery is used and tested regularly it should stop the problem. I really does need to be set up correctly, not too far out, not too close and about a foot high.
Good luck.

 

[arron]

hi there ,i have lost 49 poults in a night ,there are often tell tail signs, most of these poults were dragged into corners or under brush ,with in 12 hrs i caught 2 mink in the fenns around the pens ,stoats are just as leathal and will kill alot of birds and drag them uder cover,touch wood i have lost none to mustalids this time but have trapped alot throughout the year ,however i have lost them to birds of prey ,if you pluck the back of the dead birds you can often see bruising or pucture marks that indicate birds of prey .it knocks you sick when you see find them dead , best of luck .

 

[www.yorkshireroestalking.]

Shot this left and right yesterday morning chasing partridge in a game crop.

just heard from a keeper friend he lost 110 pheasants last night a fox chewed in and took nearly all their heads off.
Can't go help tonight but will be there tomorrow to help him.
p.s. never lost any pheasants in the pen to foxes ever,(plenty outside) but always had at least 1 or 2 strands of electric fencing around the pen. I couldn't sleep at night if I didn't.

 

[ajfab]

never lost any in a pen myself but have lost outside, but i have noticed most of the time they dont come back the next night usualy 2or 3 nights later cubs are natural born killers they usually cant helpthere selfs and come back. i use radios in the pens tune in to talk radio and just helps keep stuff away for the first couple of weeks and pick them upin the lamp patroling a short distance from the pen.
good luck jamross if your strugling give us a shout will give you a hand.
atb ajfab

 

[bogtrotter]

never lost any in a pen myself but have lost outside, but i have noticed most of the time they dont come back the next night usualy 2or 3 nights later cubs are natural born killers they usually cant helpthere selfs and come back. i use radios in the pens tune in to talk radio and just helps keep stuff away for the first couple of weeks and pick them upin the lamp patroling a short distance from the pen.
good luck jamross if your strugling give us a shout will give you a hand.
atb ajfab[/

TALK RADIO! would certainly keep me away

 

[www.yorkshireroestalking.]

Radios realy work.
Used them to great effect in the forestry to keep the gosses away.
If the batteries died the birds where hit.
Terry wogan keeps everyone away.

 

[jamross65]

never lost any in a pen myself but have lost outside, but i have noticed most of the time they dont come back the next night usualy 2or 3 nights later cubs are natural born killers they usually cant helpthere selfs and come back. i use radios in the pens tune in to talk radio and just helps keep stuff away for the first couple of weeks and pick them upin the lamp patroling a short distance from the pen.
good luck jamross if your strugling give us a shout will give you a hand.
atb ajfab

Thanks ajfab, i'll let you know how I get on.

Might try the radio though!!!

 

[jamross65]

Shot 1 cub tonight in the field next to the big pen. Useless conditions though, wind dropped off to nothing.

Had to come home early as the 9 and 10 year old helpers were dropping off. At that age I suppose going out with a rifle is the most exciting thing they can do on a Saturday night!

 

[trouble]

try mink ,polecat doubt cub what about pine martin your way ,unless you have lifted the wire on yr pens you dont say ! is your pen pop holed anymore info .....
regards norma

mink or ferrets dont kill like that

 

[remmy700]

Although 26 is a lot, I would look to birds of prey, buzzard, Tawny or goshawk, mum and dad showing youngsters how it's done.
Fox don't bother with decapitation, they just grab the bird, chest or wing and bite hard, end of story.
Over the years I have had a lot of poults decapitated and nearly always found tawny Owls to be the culprit.
Hope you get it sorted soon though.

Robin +1 for sure.....Tawny owls will be the issue, seen it many times.

 

[crouch valley]

My money's on a tawny owl. I had the same a few years back and the next night I saw it for my own eyes

 

[CRUMPY]

Hooters! It's their trademark kill!

 

[norma 308]

mink or ferrets dont kill like that

i'll tell that to the next ones i meet

 

[jamross65]

I am just back from a proper look. The fence has been lifted slightly and the scrape into the pen is obvious. A head and a wee trail of feather leading back into the wood confirms a fox IMO. 24 dead poults picked with most of the heads not found.

This pen has 200 and the big one 400. Not a huge loss but still...

Spoke with the herd asking if any dead sheep lying around. This has to be the cleanest, well kept farm I have ever been on. Needless to say there is nout! I have asked that when there is to let me know and leave them lying out.

I will post any success on here.

Guys, I am happy for the debate to carry on but as above says, I have now found the evidence that tells me it was a fox...

 

[trouble]

i'll tell that to the next ones i meet

they dont take the head off with one bite and next time you kill a polecat its a ferret

 

[norma 308]

they dont take the head off with one bite and next time you kill a polecat its a ferret

thats good as i think polecats are protected