Back to back hen deaths in 24 hours

[aart]

I’ve posted these before but it’s good for a size compariso

So that's a mink.... and which weasel ??

 

[50-45-1]

Aren't the largest of the 3 weasels almost mink sized

I only know about 2 kinds of weasel. The least weasel and the long tailed weasel. The female of these species are smaller than the male.
Both of the weasels i captured here in Michigan were least weasels. (Short tail)
The members of mustela family include weasel, polecat, mink, ferret, pine marten, stout, badger, otter and wolverine. The weasel is the smallest. A female mink can be half the size of the male who is anywhere from 2lb to 4 lp.
What you have in New Hampshire should be similar to here.
Also you could build some weasel boxes out of scrap lumber. They work very well also. Below is the link.
Good luck!

http://www.ecofarmingdaily.com/snap-build-a-weasel-trap-to-protect-your-poultry/

 

[roosterhavoc]

So that's a mink.... and which weasel ??

View attachment 1707458

Yes that’s a male mink and a male long tailed weasel.

 

[RenegadeJane]

Hoo boy, so lots to respond to...

Ohzark, you read my mind.
I currently have 2 small haveaheart traps set up outside with some raw chicken in them. One in the run, right by the bloodiest crime scene and the other in the coop near our theorized point of entry.

I DO have a trail cam and have set it up on the run trap, since that's where the most chickens were murdered.

We've had coons, bobcats and bird of prey problems in the past, but ever since building the run and stopping free range we haven't lost a bird. This is why I really think it must be something small, like the weasel. But hopefully the trail cam will confirm.

While the chickens are in the basement, i think we might do an early spring cleaning of the coop and see what small things we can do to improve its defenses. I might consider lining the perimeter in hardwate cloth, just to help with digging at least, and any cracks around the walls. After that, I think it'll have to be a deal with them as they come sort of experience as you say.

I wish we had realized it was a predator after the first hen. Could have potentially saved at least one more. But the wound was so small we just couldn't believe it was another animal.

On the other hand though, this is a reminder why we keep such a large flock for just the 2 of us. The local wildlife seems to think we're a buffet.

Guess I'll be getting new chicks again this year after all.

 

[RenegadeJane]

Ladies and gentlemen, the eyes of a serial killer.

 

[OhZark Biddies]

Well done!

Put it down quick...reset and expect 12 more, but hope for none.

But most importantly... keep ‘em to yourself ... those of us that are weaseless like it that way!

 

[roosterhavoc]

Ladies and gentlemen, the eyes of a serial killer. View attachment 1707630

Congrats! That’s great. Be careful skinning him the tail is tricky to do without cutting yourself.

 

[OhZark Biddies]

Congrats! That’s great. Be careful skinning him the tail is tricky to do without cutting yourself.

Everything I’ve read on the Indiana DNR site says stripping the tails is cake as long as you wax the traps first.

 

[roosterhavoc]

Everything I’ve read on the Indiana DNR site says stripping the tails is cake as long as you wax the traps first.

If only I knew this years ago! I wouldn’t have left so many raccoon Pom Poms. Took a good inch or two off quite a few! Now that I think about it. Quite a few of those also had some really big eyes!

 

[RenegadeJane]

Oh god, so the next question. What's the best way to take care of it? We have a .22 but that seems like overkill and I'd be worried about ricochet on the cage.