Look what we caught in our trap....

[akddr]

We bought a trap yesterday at Tractor Supply after the hen coop got wiped out 2 nights ago (12 birds). There is a 2.5" gap over the door where the panel bends. This morning we found this. Looks to be an American mink? I was guessing racoons so boy was I surprised. Hard lesson learned. Every inch of coop needs hardware cloth on it.

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We have trapped out killer minks a couple of times. The last one tunneled under the fencing. Now we added deeper mesh and some cement. Lost 3 chickens to that little killer. We relocated the monks out the road away from any inhabited areas.

 

[chickencoop57]

I'm so glad I have a closed coop. Once the hen's are in at night, down comes the trap door but now I'm thinking maybe I ought to put a lock or something on the trap door cause I know coons can lift the door. Of course they have to get thru the hardware cloth of the outer run but I only have it on the first 3 1/2 feet of the run, the rest is 1" chicken wire. I haven't had any problem's, yet but I expect I will some day, so I better be ready!

 

[Ila88]

Thank everyone. This is a coop we've had for 7 years. This was the first time I've lost anything inside a locked coop. It was heartbreaking. I really thought they were safe. This one is going sting awhile.

The same thing happened to us. Coop seemed secure for years, then suddenly a mink got in and killed 4 before my husband saw and hit it with a rake. The thing then got away, through the smallest hole at the back of the coop. We now have the whole run lined with layers of hardware cloth. I am so sorry for your loss.

 

[Rooapalooza]

For those who have had minks/ weasels dig their way in, were there aprons on the ground surrounding your coops? If so, what material had you used? Would a couple layers of chicken wire running a few feet out from the coop keep them from digging?

 

[chickencoop57]

I've heard, Rooapalooza, that if you do that and put some heavy material, such as rock or even dirt, on it, it's a good deterrent. My coop is closed in, but I worry about something digging into the run, when I'm gone. So I'm gonna screw some 1" chicken wire to the bottom of it, let extend out about 1'-1 1/2' and pile some small rock on top of it. I buy this 3/4" rock down the road for about $15.00 a yard. It looks nice too. If any thing, its gonna hurt what evers paws is trying to dig thru that wire, thus a deterrent.

 

[angela0408]

Yes, they go on a killing rampage and just kill, don’t eat the meat, just hit the neck and drink some blood. My neighbours had one and it’s took out 60 of her 80 birds. Just left dead bodies everywhere. I go to a raccoon this year that got 8 of my birds before it moved on. Caught the skunks, but the coons are tough. Sorry for your loss. It’s heartbreaking, I’m glad you caught the little bugger,

 

[Rooapalooza]

I've heard, Rooapalooza, that if you do that and put some heavy material, such as rock or even dirt, on it, it's a good deterrent. My coop is closed in, but I worry about something digging into the run, when I'm gone. So I'm gonna screw some 1" chicken wire to the bottom of it, let extend out about 1'-1 1/2' and pile some small rock on top of it. I buy this 3/4" rock down the road for about $15.00 a yard. It looks nice too. If any thing, its gonna hurt what evers paws is trying to dig thru that wire, thus a deterrent.

Lol yeah that should work. For me, i'm wondering whether I need to put down 1/2in hardware cloth or if the 1in chicken wire alone will work. I like to move my coops around so I want something portable. I haven't had problems yet (our 'soil' here is pretty much solid, undiggable limestone), but this topic reminds me better safe than sorry.

 

[aart]

They are one of the few animals that kill for "sport" leaving none behind.

They don't kill for 'sport', only humans do that.

Yes, they go on a killing rampage and just kill, don’t eat the meat, just hit the neck and drink some blood.

It's called a 'feeding frenzy', many animals do this. It's about getting as much food in one hunting session as possible. Most animals will cache the kills and feed on them for days, but in a coop or run they often can't get them back out of the enclosure.

 

[joydix]

We bought a trap yesterday at Tractor Supply after the hen coop got wiped out 2 nights ago (12 birds). There is a 2.5" gap over the door where the panel bends. This morning we found this. Looks to be an American mink? I was guessing racoons so boy was I surprised. Hard lesson learned. Every inch of coop needs hardware cloth on it.

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good thing you got the trap out! good for you! MY WORST nightmare....i live right on a river and have seen them around but not in my neighborhood thank goodness! yup hardware cloth! when i rebuilt that is what i did....i sleep better at night and so do my lovely's!

 

[joydix]

We bought a trap yesterday at Tractor Supply after the hen coop got wiped out 2 nights ago (12 birds). There is a 2.5" gap over the door where the panel bends. This morning we found this. Looks to be an American mink? I was guessing racoons so boy was I surprised. Hard lesson learned. Every inch of coop needs hardware cloth on it.

View attachment 1965468

oh crap! i did not read this correctly first time...your whole flock?? you must be devastated! heartbreaking, i am so so so sorry for your loss