Is it a weasel?

[chickathon]

This is my second year of having chickens. I have had some losses. But a black/tan coon hound that followed me and my daughter home has solved the problem about coons. I went into the run the other day to find one of my bantams without a head, back or guts. Is it a weasel? I have set my smallest live trap with sardines and have caught nothing. I haven't had any loses since that one night. Is it gone? Or just not hungry yet? I know possums do similar things but I can't find a hole big enough anywhere for it to get in. What do you bait for weasels? Or do I need a different trap. The one I have is the smallest that Tractor supply had. I got it in a two for one deal. It's about 8x8 roughly. Is this type of trap o.k.? Thanks in advance for any answers or advise I could sure use it.

 

[teach1rusl]

This link was in the Learning Center: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...ors-how-to-protect-your-chickens-from-weasels

It does sound like a weasel. Personally, I'd nail some hardware cloth over any gaps you have in your coop. If you haven't been shutting your chickens inside a housing each night, I'd start - and HW cloth over windows or any gaps.

Never dealt with weasels, do I can't help on whether that trap would be adequate or not - I'd go by whatever type animals it was advertised for...

 

[mhaddon]

It sounds like a weasel. We are dealing with one right now I have lost 10 butcher roosters in the past 2 weeks. We have traps set and still can not catch it.

 

[chickathon]

It sounds like a weasel. We are dealing with one right now I have lost 10 butcher roosters in the past 2 weeks. We have traps set and still can not catch it.

I'm sorry for your loss. : (. I have the trap set up but no luck as yet. I haven't had any more losses. And, that puzzles me. Either my coon dog has caught on or she ate it that night. Or maybe and I hate to think it but maybe it hasn't gotten hungry enough yet. I would dearly love to catch the varmit and give it a nice dirt nap.

 

[1muttsfan]

I would also recommend a careful look around to find the gap where the predator entered, and seal it up. Even if you catch this one there is always another coming along looking for a free chicken dinner.