Help! Ducks attacked by mink!

[Lukemjm]

Ducks are still doing well, I think they are trying to reproduce... Spring fever I guess. My only concern is that Carmella doesn't have feathers on the back of her neck anymore and when Gregory grabs on, he is pretty aggressive and made her bleed. Should I separate them? Or is this normal?
It's not a ton of blood, just a few drops, but it is scary .

To be clear, Carmella seems to be ok with it, she isn't trying to get away, and she is showing typical courting behaviour. It also isn't constant, I've only seen it happen a couple times in the last 3 days.

 

[casportpony]

Not sure what I would do. I guess I might be inclined to keep them apart until her neck is healed.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Where they can still see each other though they need each other.

 

[Lukemjm]

Not sure what I would do. I guess I might be inclined to keep them apart until her neck is healed.

Ok thanks. Her neck stopped bleeding pretty quick. It looks like Gregory accidentally picked off one of her scabs, it hasn't happened since. Thanks for all your help

 

[HoldrenFarmgirl]

Minks are very deadly predators. They will be back so I suggest setting a trap with bloody chicken meat as bait should get the mink to investigate. If using a livetrap (only one I’ll advocate) cover it with a cloth washed in scent-a-way. Place near the coop so it looks like an entrance. Once caught either dispatch the mink or call your local Department of Natural Resources to see what they recommend.

Minks are horrible! I dispatched the one who got all our 7week olds last year! I was so upset ,the mink ripped a their heads off and left them. I put out a live trap with one of the dead chickens. He came back that night. Next morning he went swimming. ( I know some will think this is horrible but the sight I found in my pen that morning was the most heartbreaking mess I've ever cleaned up.) That mink was something ... One of our dogs was by the trap and the mink really tried to come through it to attack her was a crazy experience I don't care to repeat. We now spray coyote urine all around our coupe we've not had any predators this winter in or around the coupe . We did have something get a roo and a hen out on the back property this winter but they had wandered pretty far from safety ( our dogs can only get around 3 acres due to electric fence in the ground) or this might not have happened.

 

[roosterhavoc]

Minks are horrible! I dispatched the one who got all our 7week olds last year! I was so upset ,the mink ripped a their heads off and left them. I put out a live trap with one of the dead chickens. He came back that night. Next morning he went swimming. ( I know some will think this is horrible but the sight I found in my pen that morning was the most heartbreaking mess I've ever cleaned up.) That mink was something ... One of our dogs was by the trap and the mink really tried to come through it to attack her was a crazy experience I don't care to repeat. We now spray coyote urine all around our coupe we've not had any predators this winter in or around the coupe . We did have something get a roo and a hen out on the back property this winter but they had wandered pretty far from safety ( our dogs can only get around 3 acres due to electric fence in the ground) or this might not have happened.

I suggest you stop spreading coyote urine around your coop. That’s a total gimmick. Coyote and fox urine are used to trap those animals so really you’re just doing the opposite. Mink and smaller animals aren’t deterred by coyote urine either.

 

[HoldrenFarmgirl]

I don't know ... Since I started doing this my neighbors coup has been hit twice by minks and mine has remained untouched.

 

[roosterhavoc]

I don't know ... Since I started doing this my neighbors coup has been hit twice by minks and mine has remained untouched.

If you think it works keep doing it but Im guessing you made a change in your coop after the first time which might be preventing losses. I’m just saying urine use like that is an attractant not a deterrent.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Why would they be attracted to larger predators seems the smaller predators wouldn’t want to come around where larger one might be?

 

[roosterhavoc]

Why would they be attracted to larger predators seems the smaller predators wouldn’t want to come around where larger one might be?

Because animals don’t think like humans? Humans are a much bigger threat (larger predator) to all of them. I guarantee they smell every chicken owner yet still take the calculated risk for a meal. They smell you but their eyes tell them you aren’t there same as coyote urine, bear, hippo or anything else. Mink run up and down creeks within inches of trails that coyotes and fox use regularly. The urine smell from other animals isn’t new to them. If you want to spend money on animal urines for deterrents don’t let me stop you.