Maine

[lazy gardener]

We caught a mink!
Yesterday morning we lost another hen. We put it in the raccoon-size live trap and put it right outside the coop where we had seen some tracks. DH went to buy feed, and when he returned, trap was undisturbed, but there was another dead hen in the coop (#7).

I was at work, but I emailed home that I was tempted to pick 8 favorite hens and try to integrate them into our "safe" flock. It is too bad that our chick grow out pen is in the area where we blow snow (buried). By the time I got home, DH had moved all the birds! 19 locked in the secure run, 17 locked in the front half of the coop (where they already live, but now without their run) and 6 locked in the tiny back half of the coop with their rooster in our basement. It is tight quarters, but free of death.

Live trap went inside the coop. "Weasel" returned, went in the trap and moved the dead hen several inches, but somehow squeezed it's way out! We set the smaller squirrel trap, which we inherited and is bent up, because that's all we had. I planned to go shopping today for a better trap, but went out this morning and there was a mink!

I am leery of the fact that this animal looks like there is no way it could have squeezed out of the other trap. DH also thought he saw a white belly, but also knows eyewitness memory is usually inaccurate. We have a lot of work to do on the hoop coop before it will be secure, and I plan to keep the trap set just in case. Meanwhile, I hope my hens can survive overcrowded living conditions for a month or so.

Oh, and DH says he thinks he should be referred to as EDH (exceptional dear husband) from now on

And I have to say I agree with him.

Here's our mink. You are welcome to the pelt, if you would like to make a hat.

I would love to see that thing stretched out next to a ruler or yard stick. Approximately, what is the diameter of it's skull? How long is it? Mink are bigger than weasel, yes? Beware, there may be a mate skulking around.

 

[buckabucka]

Definitely bigger than a weasel. We're guessing 14-16" long. We did weigh it: 27 oz.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

We caught a mink!

Excellent job. They're like a hotdog with legs, they can squeeze into insanely small spaces. Don't let their looks fool you.



I did end up getting someone to split a pekin duck order with me, so if anyone was on the fence, I'm already hitched.


And for the love of anything, could it please stop snowing.

 

[buckabucka]

The snow is very discouraging. I like cross-country skiing and will get out there today, but it is not the same at this time of year. I'd prefer to be out raking the flower beds and diverting streams of melting snow off the muddy driveway. The onion seedlings are looking good, but I can't believe I'll be setting them out in April.

I was pleased to read that mink live alone and don't tolerate other mink in their area. Males might travel up to 25 miles in a day and mate with multiple females and females raise their young alone (having their litter in May). Based on weight, ours was definitely female. The trap is set, just in case, but things have been pretty quiet out there.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

The snow is very discouraging. I like cross-country skiing and will get out there today, but it is not the same at this time of year. I'd prefer to be out raking the flower beds and diverting streams of melting snow off the muddy driveway. The onion seedlings are looking good, but I can't believe I'll be setting them out in April.

I was pleased to read that mink live alone and don't tolerate other mink in their area. Males might travel up to 25 miles in a day and mate with multiple females and females raise their young alone (having their litter in May). Based on weight, ours was definitely female. The trap is set, just in case, but things have been pretty quiet out there.

And discouraging, yes. I am going to start my tomato and pepper seeds today, despite my better judgement.

 

[combatfuzzball]

Sorry to hear about your losses
I read up a lot about Minks, weasels, and the rest of that lot way back when I had ferret's as pets. Sorry you had such a problem with those. From a Chicken owner's point of view they're horrible. The fact that they can fit into anything they can stick their head into and that their head can be compressed somewhat means they can get in or out of just about anywhere. Not to mention they're smart too boot and love egg's. One of my ferrets would steal anything remotely egg shaped and try and eat it. Might try using that as bait. Glad you caught the varmit.
They do tend to a loaner life so your probably fairly safe for a while now.

 

[combatfuzzball]

DIE WINTER DIE!
Seriously starting to get antsy since my older chicks are now 4 weeks old and I haven't been able to assemble my coop for them yet. Wife is going to beat me senseless if she goes down cellar and has Chickens flapping all over the place.

 

[lazy gardener]

Quote: I have Jalapeno and Habanero up. Rosemary, and Asparagus up. All potted up into 6 packs. Planted more peppers, some flowers, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and lots of tomatoes several days ago. Need to start moving 6 packs downstairs to grow lights. Oh... also have sweet potato slips potted up with more on the way.

DIE WINTER DIE!
Seriously starting to get antsy since my older chicks are now 4 weeks old and I haven't been able to assemble my coop for them yet. Wife is going to beat me senseless if she goes down cellar and has Chickens flapping all over the place.

Perhaps you could sell tickets to the matrimonial dispute. I'm sure it would be a you tube favorite: the flapping chickens would make it so!

 

[lazy gardener]

And, finally, for your viewing pleasure. Don't click on this link if you would not kill a rat.

 

[lazy gardener]

I have dancing babies. 27 eggs set. Had a hard time with temp regulation for the first few days. Then, seemed to get a handle on it by turning the fan off, and repositioning the eggs to get them into the right "zone". Occasional temp spikes. So, currently, I have 18 dancers. I need to remember to use a table lamp for candling. I took the "bail" off it, cut the bottom off a shampoo bottle, wrapped the bottle in a sales flier to make it the right length, wrapped tin foil around the top part of the bottle, and slid the bottle down over the bulb and stem of the lamp. Using 7 W CFL. It gives a view of even the most reluctant eggs. For some odd reason, most of the brown eggs are not fertile. but, I think all of Nellie's eggs have dancing babies. (Jack must really like her!) And it looks like most of the green/olive eggs have dancers, though it is harder to tell with them.