Fox or badger?

[JayJay]

I have either a fox or a badger killing my poultry. Woke up this morning to discover that all my marans had been killed and i had a goose killed the night before. My first reaction was that it was a fox, but the side of my cage had been ripped open and bite size pieces scattered around. I have a fox trap set up but never seem to catch any thing in it. Any way when ever i find the remains they seem to have no head and the lower end of the bird is ripped open. Is this badger or fox?

[duckmad]

hi jayjay
it sounds like a fox.
A badger will only kill what it needs normally and take some if not all of the carcases with it, it will take at least one anyway. How thick is your housing as a fox will get in if it is thin.
As a general rule a fox will kill for pleasure and keep killing till all the birds are dead and a badger will only kill what it needs.
It could be stoat or a weasel but by the sound of the damage it is something bigger and a stoat or a weasel will rip the neck out and bleed them.
Just asked richard and he says that if the carcases are being taken out the pen to be eaten its a badger, otherwise a fox.
Unfortunately you cant do anything about badgers only improve the thickness of the timber around the house.
Is there a smell around the house as a fox leaves a musty smell behind, the other thing to look for is fur left on the openeing.
Sorry i cant be anymore help
Hope you catch the culprit soon
You could always put one of the fresh kills in the fox trap if its the box type, this might lure him in
duckmad

[littlefeathers]

sorry jayjay, that you've also be targeted by the nasty fox, Ash has also had an incident. Stories like this are not nice to read . lets hope you catch the b*gger.