How to predator safe a coop

[Fuchsia]

Hello
We have cameras out in our woods and around our barns and coops so we know if we have predators.
And today we got an ermine on one of the cameras! We had an ermine last year and it was horrible, taking/killing like four chickens every night!
So my question is, how do I predator safe my coop?
Thanks!

 

[EverythingDucks]

Hello
We have cameras out in our woods and around our barns and coops so we know if we have predators.
And today we got an ermine on one of the cameras! We had an ermine last year and it was horrible, taking/killing like four chickens every night!
So my question is, how do I predator safe my coop?
Thanks!

Hardware cloth over any chicken wire. Be sure they cant dig under. Keep doors and windows secure at night. And keep any feed that may attract predators stored away.

 

[416bigbore]

What did you do last year when this happened? IMO, the best way to deal with these little SOB predators is to get rid of them completely. Re-predator proofing your coop will not solve the problem if they are still wandering around on the outside looking for the smallest of holes to get in.

Food for thought, Weasel's are very similar to mice when it comes to them reproducing. Good luck and I hope you can find a way that works for you to keep your flock safe.

https://www.livescience.com/57475-weasel-facts.html

 

[Fuchsia]

Thank you for your help @EverythingDucks and @416bigbore

What did you do last year when this happened?

Last year we trapped him but it took a while for him to get comfortable with the trap. = He killed chickens while getting use to the trap.

 

[416bigbore]

Thank you for your help @EverythingDucks and @416bigbore

Last year we trapped him but it took a while for him to get comfortable with the trap. = He killed chickens while getting use to the trap.

A piece of fresh raw chicken in the middle of one of those big Rat type glue traps will fix that issue. Good luck and happy trapping.

 

[Fuchsia]

A piece of fresh raw chicken in the middle of one of those big Rat type glue traps will fix that issue. Good luck and happy trapping.

THANK YOU!!

 

[KaleIAm]

Hello
We have cameras out in our woods and around our barns and coops so we know if we have predators.
And today we got an ermine on one of the cameras! We had an ermine last year and it was horrible, taking/killing like four chickens every night!
So my question is, how do I predator safe my coop?
Thanks!

Eek! That sounds scary! I'm currently sealing up all holes and wrapping my entire aviary with hardware cloth to predator proof. I plan to dig and make an L shape out of hardware cloth at the bottom. It's a lot of work!

 

[416bigbore]

Eek! That sounds scary! I'm currently sealing up all holes and wrapping my entire aviary with hardware cloth to predator proof. I plan to dig and make an L shape out of hardware cloth at the bottom. It's a lot of work!

Can you please post pics of your project.

 

[Fuchsia]

Can you please post pics of your project.

Yes! I would love to see pictures @KaleIAm

 

[416bigbore]

Can you please post pics of your project.

Maybe a new thread post for all the newbies who would like to seal up their coop with Hardware cloth.