Anyone experienced in dealing with weasels, have question

[tberggren]

After finding one of my favorite little pullets, dead I a few minuets spotted what I think is a weasel, it was grey like a mouse but had a four or five inch long body. Plus the chick was killed by basically having it's throat ripped off.

Anyway long story short, my hubby was able to get a shot off at it, and although he was sure he got it, we never saw a body or any blood. However two nights have gone by with no sign off him.

My coop is pretty weasel proof, but I set a trap (buried glass jug with narrow neck with tuna) and nothing, also yesterday I had to put the little guys back in their "grow out pen" because they just can't get enough to eat in the pen with the big guys. I was terrified yet nothing bothered them.

OK. here is my question for those of you who are experienced in dealing with these guys, if my husband missed this guy would he have come back around by now?? It's been two nights and today makes the second day.

Or do you think since he hasn't been around this long that he must of taken the hit after all??

 

[Chic Chick]

A weasel also has a tail with a black tip about the same length as it's body, and the ones here turn brown in summer. Usually a weasel won't stop at one, and if it is not dead it will be back.
I like your idea of a trap but I wouldn't have a clue if it would work for a weasel.
Good luck

 

[gypsy2621]

It may take a day or so to come back, but if he did miss the critter it will definately be back .
easiest way to catch a vermin of the weasel family is to put hav- a heart traps along the run sides of a building, they stick close to the bottom of fences and will run head long into the trap. no bait necessary. for a vicious as they are they are not overly smart.
of course the traps look like tunnels one of their favorite places to hunt. easy catch.
I always have hav-a- hart traps along the walls for those silly little one way travelers.
If my fat brat cat hadnt decided to defect to the neighbors in search of a nicer home with better food I would let you borrow her, she is greatly known for killing weasels and mink.
good cat just a traitor.

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

I agree - if your husband missed...it'll be back. They can fit into the tiniest of tiny spaces. So really go over your coop/growing pen - well. The only "trapping" experience I have is with the old fashioned type trap that were used...wayyyyy back when I was a kid. I don't know what type of live trap you might use...they can flatten their body's and fit through such small spaces. My grandfather always said that if they can fit their nose into a space the body will follow. I wish you the best...it would be so great if your husband actually did kill it. I hope he did.

 

[joanie_maine]

jojo@rolling acres farm :

I agree - if your husband missed...it'll be back. They can fit into the tiniest of tiny spaces. So really go over your coop/growing pen - well. The only "trapping" experience I have is with the old fashioned type trap that were used...wayyyyy back when I was a kid. I don't know what type of live trap you might use...they can flatten their body's and fit through such small spaces. My grandfather always said that if they can fit their nose into a space the body will follow. I wish you the best...it would be so great if your husband actually did kill it. I hope he did.

It (or they) will be back.

Rather than concentrating on trapping, concentrate on how to keep the varmit from getting to your birds.

Weasels and minks can get through holes or cracks bigger than an inch.

There must not be holes bigger than an inch around your birds. I have all my pens coated with 1 inch chicken wire doubled!

I've caught and killed mink by baiting a Havahart trap with a dead bird.​

 

[tberggren]

Their yard is over a 1/4 acre (fenced), I'm afraid I can not afford to enclose the whole thing as you suggest.

I did go and get a have-a-heart trap to use along with the glass bottle one, which btw I can not take credit for, someone else on the list mentioned it as a way to catch a weasel.

I know I sure would be more comfortable if I saw a dead weasel body.

I heard they were solitary creatures, so just because one was around it doesn't necessarily mean that others will come. Does anyone know if this is true??

 

[deerman]

Well this time of the year, mother do teach their young to hunt, like most predators. Keep your live traps set, I keep them set 24/7.

 

[tberggren]

If you keep your traps set 24/7 what do you use for bait?
I put tuna and an egg in the glass bottle and a can of sardines in the have-a-heart, neither do I expect can be left for too long,

 

[deerman]

Quote:
Eggs from incubator that didnt hatch, caught coons, skunks, Possums. Using tuna I would be getting lots of cats.

Now for mink or fox use chicken parts. Yes will need to change this bait after 2 days.

Next to dogs, coons are my biggest problem.

 

[Schroeder]

I searched for "glass bottle trap," but got no hits. Can you explain how they work?