A stoat is killing my chickens. I need immediate help! He is bold.

[DogAndCat36]

This is why Mary tells you no gaps or holes of any size
The long term fix is fortifying the coop. Killing the racoons and stout will be a short time fix as more preditors will always come to newly available areas
View attachment 2664024

I'll try to cover the holes. Good thing I'm getting a dog in 2 months.

 

[DogAndCat36]

Here is the video of the stoat if anyone is wondering.
https://youtube.com/shorts/4TLmLZmvpf0?feature=share

 

[Aapomp831]

Here is the video of the stoat if anyone is wondering.
https://youtube.com/shorts/4TLmLZmvpf0?feature=share

Omg what the hell is that? Is it in the weasel family??

 

[Folly's place]

Yes, it's a weasel, small.
Cute unless it's killing the chickens...
Mary

 

[DogAndCat36]

Omg what the hell is that? Is it in the weasel family??

It is a stoat.

 

[DogAndCat36]

Yes, it's a weasel, small.
Cute unless it's killing the chickens...
Mary

It stalked my chickens.

 

[DogAndCat36]

Where should I place the traps? The racoon one by the woods where I saw a lot of feathers? (4 chickens) or by the coop. Also the stoat one, inside, outside by where he was messing with the egg in the video, or by the coop? Thanks.

 

[DogAndCat36]

Great News! We caught the raccon! Just 2 days. I'll set up the trap for another 3 days to ensure that he doesn't have any friends and then I'll start free ranging my chickens again.

 

[Mellowmalt]

that stoat is really cute, he could not have killed 5 chickens in one day so I'm really glad you caught the raccoon a much more likely suspect.
The stoat is stealing your eggs but he is too cute. Hope you can secure your coop and keep everyone happy like that, the stout will not be a threat to freeranging chickens during the day - its only the size of a squirrel.

 

[DogAndCat36]

that stoat is really cute, he could not have killed 5 chickens in one day so I'm really glad you caught the raccoon a much more likely suspect.
The stoat is stealing your eggs but he is too cute. Hope you can secure your coop and keep everyone happy like that, the stout will not be a threat to freeranging chickens during the day - its only the size of a squirrel.

I honestly bonded with the stoat this winter. It seeked refuge in the garage and then moved into the house. It would just poke its head out from time to time and stare at us. But I did see it look at my chickens and move twords them. If it steps out of line I will sadly have to take action.