Rural Gardening: Predator question, 0 by Natasha_Orloff

Natasha_Orloff wrote:
Fisher cats are related to minks, weasels, etc. They are lightning fast and have just recently made a comeback in the NE - they had become nearly extinct but were reintroduced to help combat a porcupine problem. They are one the the very few animals that will prey on the porcupine, striking the face until the porcupine weakens, then going for the underbelly - the only two places unprotected from the quills. They can come in and wipe out an entire flock. Here in Mass. they have been seen killing outdoor cats, although the wildlife"specialists" say that this is exceptional and that it's coyotes that are the problem.

My ventilation hole now has hardware cloth over it and there is no other entry. I have ordered new chicks, and will get my electric fence back up and running, but I used to be able to free-range my chickens which as you know makes the eggs unbelievably yummy. Fisher cats hunt during the day in winter, the night during summer and other times dusk and dawn.

There was almost no blood anywhere, and no other wounds on my birds except for the neck.