A mink? Can it climb?

[Chickiee]

I saw something new at lunchtime near our chicken run... looked like a dark otter/weasel-like shape with a slightly bushy tail sort of like a squirrel. Bounded away through the snow, not running but more wide leaping like a dolphin... leap, leap, leap. Was very afraid of me. I was about 60 or 70 feet away and it took off into the cornfield next door and hung out there for a while. I'm guessing it was at least 18 inches long + a tail. My question is this... if this was a mink, do I need to be concerned about it climbing into windows (if they were open) of a coop raised off the ground? What are their climbing/jumping abilities? Floor of the coop is about 18 inches off the ground. Lowest part of windows is about 3 feet off the ground. Coop is built solid like a small house but with windows I open in nice weather. Today the ramp door to the chicken run was closed due to the 14 degree weather so there is no way this thing could get in, but I understand is would be easy for this creature to enter via the ramp. I'm guessing s/he was very hungry to venture this close to a house/people. Thanks all!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Like all predators mink are opportunist. Give a mink the opportunity and it will definitely kill and eat your poultry.

Mink, especially female mink have a home range that is much smaller than what most people think. Mink are all around you every day providing there is enough resources to support a mink population. Mink are also very unsocial towards humans and to all other mink.... Except that mink are now rutting. That means they are acting like a teenage boy who has just stolen his mama's car keys. A mink or a teenage boy may both pop up at any time and anywhere as they move around the country side looking for mating opportunities.

If a cat or a ferret can find its way into or out of your chicken coop it will be a cinch for a mink to wiggle its way in as well. Wisconsin is prime habitat giving you the chance to learn a lot about mink.

 

[littleoak]

I have found that a mink can do anything it wants to do. If they want in your chicken house they will get there. I suggest getting traps and maybe shooting it if you se it again. A mink can climb anything and also dig under or chew a hole in a wall.

 

[Chickiee]

Wow! Thanks for the info! I really appreciate it.