Can anyone identify this animal that was lurking around my coop?

[sally4500]

This animal was around my coop this morning. It looks like a baby. I am praying it is not a fisher. It has a weasel head, but the colors don't match a fisher. (I don't think)
We have had problems with fishers in the past, a long time ago. I am afraid for my girls, including my kitty. She killed it.

I live in the Exeter, NH area

Does anyone know what it is??

 

[chicmom]

It does look like a weasel or a farret......

 

[Noncentzter]

Good kitty! She's a keeper!!

 

[chickendude]

It's a Long tailed Weasel. here is a picture of one.

 

[sally4500]

Like ferret in PET?? God, I hope not. I didn't think there were ferrets in the wild.

 

[Ema]

that is a juvenile marten. If it had been full grown your cat would have likely been the one to lose the battle, good for her on protecting the flock!!!!. martens are very agile and though they live and hunt in boreal forest they can adapt very quickly. Martens like to eat rodents, snakes, grouse, pheasants and in this case your chickens!!! they also like smaller ducks and Martens are great swimmers so fish is always on the menu as well. anyhow If you have one, you will have more. Martens are from the weasel family.

 

[sally4500]

Yes, it is a long tailed weasel. Thank you so much! But are they a threat??

 

[Ema]

Quote:
It will eat your chickens!!

 

[MysticScorpio82]

It is a weasel (ferrets are part of the weasel family which is why they look similar). Yes a weasel will kill chickens and eat them. Good Kitty!

 

[chickendude]

They do love chickens. the biggest problem with them is they can slip through the tiniest of openings. Make sure your coop is very secure!