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

[llombardo]

I would bolt hardware cloth along where the cracks are

 

[Molpet]

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.

by me they are out during the dat.. see my avatar/ profile pic

 

[Redhead Rae]

by me they are out during the dat.. see my avatar/ profile pic

Huh, I never really looked at your pic before.

 

[cmom]

Trail camera.

I agree. I love my game cameras and have several set up in different places on my property and surprisingly most nights I see at least one predator on one of the cameras.

 

[Redhead Rae]

Did you get your critter?

 

[Howard E]

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

OP.....you started this thread by saying there were no openings larger than 1/4".....or so you thought. So did you find the path he was using to gain entry? If so, please provide a description and clear photo of the hole he is using. If there is a silver lining to this, others may be able to gain insight from your unfortunate experience to prevent such losses. BTW, if he was only 10 inches, he may be a least weasel......not the longtailed version most think of, so perhaps able to get into even smaller spaces than we normally think.

You can try the small live catch trap, but in the event that doesn't work, if you have the skills to build one (or know someone who does), you may want to get busy making yourself a weasel box, which uses a Victor rat trap as the kill mechanism.

 

[Cyprus]

Sounds like a weasel. Did you check to see if it dug in? A juvenile can fit into 1/4 in spaces.

 

[imnukensc]

Sounds like a weasel. Did you check to see if it dug in? A juvenile can fit into 1/4 in spaces.

See post #7. The OP said it was a weasel.