OT ** Weasel problems , i think

Dutchman · Jul 3, 2016

Will I went and check my chickens Sat morning and 7 were missing { they get lock up at nite } anyway been trying to figure out WHAT could of got 7 of my hens ...
My son's girlfriend told me that the other day { earlier in the week } she seen a long black thing with short legs catch a small rabbit and returned to the creek ...
The creek runs behind our place { it's a good football field or more back from the chicken shed } ..

If it is a weasel ... HOW can I trap it ?? have a live trap , but not sure what to use for bait ?? thought of tying a cat in there but was shot down by the wife ... lol ..

THANKS for any advice you share ...... mark

Greg K · Jul 3, 2016

If you can find where it got in and then put a trap right there with something around it to keep the chickens away. Otherwise I would try something bloody like chicken liver. Is there any chance it was a mink? They are weasel like and I think more common.

Dutchman · Jul 3, 2016

YES it is possible a mink ..... what ever it was it took 7 full grown hens ...

I'm just guessing on WHAT could of done that ....

........... mark

Greg K · Jul 3, 2016

We had an old sow coon that took 6 or 7 one night, but there was not much doubt when we found where she made the hole. I had heard that a weasel will mostly just kill them but not take them but I have absolutely no firsthand knowledge about that. Dang things are just out for a meal, but wish they could find a different one lol.

jacksun65 · Jul 3, 2016

Weasel or mink don't take chicken just eat the tender pieces. Coyote, fox, dog or coon tend to drag them off. coon usually leaves a trail of feathers.

Greg1959 · Jul 3, 2016

Dutchman- First. What state are you in?

Mike(NEOhio) · Jul 3, 2016

Dark color and back to the creek? It's a mink.

GordoSD · Jul 3, 2016

They are not missing. They are under the coop. Look for holes and tunnels. Mink kill. They like live fresh prey and are difficult to trap . Baited traps won't work. Snares where you find holes best bet. Set up trail camera by holes you see near the coop

John in MD · Jul 4, 2016

Weasels will kill and eat the head, but not take the birds away. Foxes, coyotes and coons will take the birds away.I lost 41 hens in three nights before I figured things out. Trail cam will answer you question.

Jimmydog · Jul 4, 2016

Sounds like mink to me also. The weasels around these parts don't get very big and I have only lost chicks not full grown chickens to weasels. On the other hand I lost thirteen laying hens all in a single night to a mink. I never had any success trapping the little blighter....I did manage to catch the neighbor's cats a couple of times. For bait I used a bluegill, you might also try tuna fish or even canned cat food if you have some. You'll want to put the trap inside of an over turned apple crate/box or something similar. Something with 1.1/2" - 2" wide gaps that will keep cats, possum, and racoon out but allows the mink entry. Good luck. JD.

Dutchman · Jul 4, 2016

I live in Central Iowa .... mark

OT ** Weasel problems , i think

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