I cant figure out HOW the predator got in!!!

[villmets]

I am so upset--

I had a chicken killed (head eaten -- the body intact) and so I moved my chickens into what I thought was a completely sealed room--when I say there are cracks I mean like 1/4"
It was very secure --or so i thought-i opened the coop to discover almost all of my chickens dead--almost all headless --I am beside myself

I need advice--how can I combat a predator if I have no idea how they are getting in??


Please help

Villmets

 

[Redhead Rae]

I am so upset--

I had a chicken killed (head eaten -- the body intact) and so I moved my chickens into what I thought was a completely sealed room--when I say there are cracks I mean like 1/4"
It was very secure --or so i thought-i opened the coop to discover almost all of my chickens dead--almost all headless --I am beside myself

I need advice--how can I combat a predator if I have no idea how they are getting in??


Please help

Villmets

Sounds like a mink/ermine/weasel. They can get in some really tiny spaces 1"-2" wide. Are there any air vents in the rafters? Mink/ermine/weasels are very good climbers.

 

[Ridgerunner]

That sounds like a member of the weasel family. The go for the head and massacre chickens, often not bothering to eat, just kill. They can get through some really small openings. They can climb and dig and are pretty strong.

I understand your frustration and feel for you, that is a horrible feeling. But there is a way in. What kind of dig protection do you have if the coop is on the ground? Doors, windows, and external nest openings might be your weak point. Check closely around your ventilation also. Weasels can be active day or night though they are usually more active at night. I don't know what your coop looks like or when you locked the chickens in. I consider it highly unlikely you locked one in with them when you locked them up but I guess it might be possible. You have to consider everything.

I'd consider setting a trap, bait it with raw meat, liver or fish can be good but about any fresh meat can work. If there is one there are others so trapping it won't be a permanent solution, but it will get rid of one that is hunting your area. Don't stop if you trap one, there could be others. Barriers are still your best long term protection but I consider it good to get rid of any that are actively hunting your area.

 

[villmets]

i think i will place a have a heart trap in there--do you think the chickens will get into it and hurt themselves?

 

[Ridgerunner]

i think i will place a have a heart trap in there--do you think the chickens will get into it and hurt themselves?

Will the chickens get into it? Almost certainly. Will they hurt themselves? Probably not.

How big are the holes in that trap? Can a weasel get out? My raccoon sized trap probably would not hold a weasel, my squirrel sized trap might. Not sure.

You can try putting the trap in there after dark when the chickens are on the roost but I'd probably put it outside the coop. Try to intercept it on the way in.

 

[Acre4Me]

I am so upset--

I had a chicken killed (head eaten -- the body intact) and so I moved my chickens into what I thought was a completely sealed room--when I say there are cracks I mean like 1/4"
It was very secure --or so i thought-i opened the coop to discover almost all of my chickens dead--almost all headless --I am beside myself

I need advice--how can I combat a predator if I have no idea how they are getting in??


Please help

Villmets

So describe this "room". So, did you move them from an outdoor coop to a "room"...is this "room" still outside? In a barn/garage? How close is it to the first point of attack?

I would crawl around on hands and knees to inspect the floor/wall connections, and the floor itself to see if anything chewed through. If you have something covering the floor, you need to check all cracks/dents/tears to see if this is hiding any openings to the outside.

Then stand up and inspect all the upper areas for the same. Use a nice good light for this task.

I've heard one farmer indicate they had a devil of a time finding the weasel/mink that was attacking their flocks repeatedly. Turns out the entrance point from the outside was actually quite some distance from their entry into the barn areas where the flocks were at. making it much harder to pinpoint.

At this point, san you bring the remaining flock to a completely different area (maybe your home garage) to remove what the weasel/mink is seeking?

Good Luck, and I'm sorry your flock was targeted and many killed.

 

[villmets]

Thank you all--here is the update--you are NOT going to believe this...
I just went out there to check on my remaining chickens and there he was in the middle of killing another chicken,,.,it was a big 10" weasel--I almost had a heart attach--grabbed a shovel and went after him--i missed him but saved the hen--i scooped up the remaining hens and rooster and moved them to my garage-i will set traps tonight to see if he returns--and you are NOT kidding--the smallest crack is where he came in---this is a sad day for me--i loved my flock

thanks for all the advice

villmets

 

[Acre4Me]

Thank you all--here is the update--you are NOT going to believe this...
I just went out there to check on my remaining chickens and there he was in the middle of killing another chicken,,.,it was a big 10" weasel--I almost had a heart attach--grabbed a shovel and went after him--i missed him but saved the hen--i scooped up the remaining hens and rooster and moved them to my garage-i will set traps tonight to see if he returns--and you are NOT kidding--the smallest crack is where he came in---this is a sad day for me--i loved my flock

thanks for all the advice

villmets

It is good you know what it is and where it is coming in, and just how small of an opening they need. So, still recommend you do a full on inspection for any opening of similar size. Glad you still have some chickens left. Good Luck!

 

[Redhead Rae]

Thank you all--here is the update--you are NOT going to believe this...
I just went out there to check on my remaining chickens and there he was in the middle of killing another chicken,,.,it was a big 10" weasel--I almost had a heart attach--grabbed a shovel and went after him--i missed him but saved the hen--i scooped up the remaining hens and rooster and moved them to my garage-i will set traps tonight to see if he returns--and you are NOT kidding--the smallest crack is where he came in---this is a sad day for me--i loved my flock

thanks for all the advice

villmets

That is insane! They are usually nocturnal.

If you haven't disposed of some of your dead chickens, I would take a piece of one to bait the trap.

 

[The Lazy L]

Trail camera.