Are weasels or minks a threat to peafowl??

[the Old Rebel]

Our peacocks free-range during the day, but we put them up in a pen at night. They have a roost that is about four feet off the ground. We've been being visited by a weasel or mink for the past week or so. Is it a threat to the peacocks?? Has anyone had a weasel or mink attack a half-grown to grown peahen or peacock??

We've been putting our peacock, his mate, and their four three-month-old babies in their little house at night to protect them from this creature. But they don't like it, because there is no roost. I keep thinking that maybe a weasel or mink wouldn't bother them, because of their size. But I don't want to risk finding out. We haven't covered their pen yet with hardware cloth.

I'll appreciate hearing from anyone with experience in these matters.

Hope y'all have a better evening than we've been having lately.

 

[chickenzoo]

I know a raccoon can kill adult peafowl, never had minks....but I wouldn't put it past them. I would give your peafowl a roost no matter where they are, they are safer that way, off the ground. I would look into getting a GP livestock guarding dog. We have three and now have no trouble with critters harming our fowl.

 

[NateinFL]

Glad we dont have minks in FL, one more predator I'd have to deal with, I already have my hands full as it is

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

Roosting, yes as they can sneak up on them, 1 bite to the head...., on the ground, I wouldnt think so, especially a fully grown one, you may want to watch them with the younger ones.
We use to have them bad here in the 70's in GA,Thankfully, they are just about a thing of the past here, as they are brutal to bantams , quail, pheasants, etc

 

[the Old Rebel]

Thanks y'all. Our friends raise Turkish Kongal guardian dogs. WISH we could afford one!!

 

[chickenzoo]

I love my GP's........... I've tried others but keep going back to them. They are great with my fowl and if you look hard enough you can find them pretty inexpensive ($150 or less for males) if you aren't looking for AKC, or check out rescues or the animal shelters.... I've seen them there. They are great dogs, great with kids and big lazy poof balls unless something is amiss. Just make sure they were raised with livestock.

Not the best pick...... but here is Elmo sleeping with his buddy Candy

 

[okiepastorl.com]

PLEASE do not go to the shelter or a rescue for a livestock guardian dog.
I have heard hundreds of horror stories over the years that would make you sick. Rescues that killed livestock or attacked children,
I did ONE rescue years ago when I desperately needed another adult dog and could not find one. NEVER AGAIN--unless I could SEE the dog at home with stock. My good deed cost me 11 goats, 7 sheep, over 100 poultry, AND I had to pay the neighbor for a number of baby pigs the dog killed. She was just fine for her first two weeks out of the kennel (next to the livestock)--until I had to be gone for the day--then she went on a killing spree.
I have had LGDs for over 36 years, and it is a fact of life that people will lie to get a dog placed. Supposedly the one I rescued was raised with livestock and her owner had to go into a nursing home. I found out later --purely by accident---that the dog killed stock and that is why the owner surrendered her-- I was absolutely lied to! I was her fourth home--and sorry to those who have tender hearts, but that dog should have been put down the first ime she killed.. I had to shoot her---as she was taking calves down at another neighbors pasture and could not be caught. I was bawling, and it was not fun! Thank God she did not hurt my small children--it could have been worse!
A friend who did a rescue had to pay over $5000 in damages to livestock--and over $10,000 in damages for a child the dog bit! Just look at the escalating number of dog bite incidents from LGDs, and shudder! I keep wondering how many of those biters are "rescues" - would be interesting if one could find out. I LOVE dogs, but if they bite a human or attack livestock, there is ONLY one remedy,and unfortunately, people who are too soft-hearted to do the right thing--the ONLY thing---create more problems. I am sure this post will make some people mad, but is a rescue worth risking so much?
We almost always have proven dogs available. $150? that does not cover feed and vet costs for an adult dog. I do not sell puppies to guard poultry, unless with an adult--they like to "play" with their charges.
And no, not everyone can qualify for one of my dogs--this is NOT a "one size fits all" . I am very careful to put the right dog and owner together. To my knowledge, none of my dogs has ever ended up in a shelter because I am picky!

 

[jerseygirl1]

I am lost on this one. $5,000 is a lot of livestock, I don't know, I do dog rescue, I wouldn't think of adopting a dog out or adopting a dog myself without thoroughly doing some temperment testing together with other testing to see HOW a dog could, if possible, be placed. THis sounds like the rescue did wrong, by lying to you and also your friend. . Not all dog rescues are like this. Yes, some are just looking to take the money and run, but a reputable dog rescue will put a dog thru EXTENSIVE testing before placing a dog and even more important, they will do a THOROUGH check on the adopter. I'm sorry you went thru this, but your situation is definitely not the norm. Also, adopting a rescue for guarding stock, it is a MUST to see that dog in the environment you yourself will have him living in.
My example - I adopted (sight unseen) a GSD from a high-kill shelter in August - we have not had a problem with any 'livestock killing' - in fact, he started herding classes and is wonderful. I also have 5 cats, 20 chickens and another senior dog - no problems. Again, I'm sorry you had to go thru that hardship, it does occur, but not always

 

[chickenzoo]

I have paid $150 for one and have seen them for less. Yes, mine aren't registered but they do their job nicely and we love them. As in any situation one must take precautions on the animal they are adopting, whether from a breeder or from a rescue. I have both a high priced GP and a $150 one............ i see no difference, they are both good dogs and they are around, seramas to JG's, ducks, geese, turkey,peafowl, pheasant, pigeons, emu, mini horses, horses, goats, sheep, potbellies, llama, alpaca, a mini donkey and a zebu..... and I probably forgot some........... and don't try to hurt a one. All puppies have to be supervised, of any breed around stock until they know the rules.