Do weasels attach in daylight or only evening??

[todtrac]

Just curious, my chicks are in their run all day and protected against most predators but I believe a weasel could get through the top chicken wire if it tried. My concern is if they only hunt at night they should be fine because I put them in the coop every evening, but if they hunt at day they could get one, I hope not.. just curious if anyone can answer this?

Thanks

 

[33yardbirds]

All predators are opportunists, weasels will kill for the sake of killing although not as bad as a mink. If you have a breach in your run cover it would be wise to pred proof it.

 

[bobbi-j]

Yes, a weasel could get through your chicken wire, and would very likely kill more than one at a time, and will do so in the daytime. That being said, I'm not sure it's possible to keep your birds 100% safe 100% of the time. There are those who disagree with me, I know. But if you're going to free range or ever let them for for any length of time, there's always a chance that something might happen. Even those that are penned up all the time can get "got" by something. I guess I'd rather let mine run during the day (full grown birds, not chicks) and take my chances. I've learned not to stress over it too much. I do try to keep my chicks protected as best I can since they are more vulnerable to things like my barn cats.

 

[todtrac]

Thanks for your words of wisdom, I agree let nature take its course but hope for the best. My run is covered on top also. Will cats kill weasels?

 

[bobbi-j]

If any of my cats have killed a weasel, I haven't seen any evidence. Weasels can be pretty fiesty little guys. My dog will take one, but he's a 90-lb dog. He has a definite advantage!

 

[sourland]

Yes, weasels will hunt and kill during the day. Some cats will kill weasels, but they are formidable opponents and it takes a gutsy cat to take one on. Get some small size Hav-A-Heart type box traps and set them along the outside of your run or coop. Weasels will work the perimeter of your pens trying to find a way in and will enter and trigger the traps.

 

[woodmort]

I caught the one that killed my chickens in a live trap set inside my coop at 10 in the morning while I was working 5 feet away putting on a new door. It had been coming through a hole in the bottom of the door at night but this time it came through the open pop door--the chickens weren't in the coop, they were out free ranging. So yes, they will hunt 24/7.

 

[Chullicken]

Don't mess around with Have-A-Heart For Later traps, easier to just rid yourself at the moment. Make yourself several weasel boxes (Internet has tons of plans) which are cheap and highly effective baited with fresh(er) meat and bi products such as cat food, fish, entrails, etc. I used to be very much in the Live and Let live camp, but I'm just tired of battling these little vermin.