Mink proofing problems

[kaylyntheweirdginger]

We had been having predator attack issues for the past couple months. Every now and then and sometimes multiple days in a row. We would find a bird or two completely neck and headless. It would happen just as it got dark right outside the coop. Hubby and I just finished putting up a 50x50 coop run with 2x4 cattle panel rolls and a 2 inch square netting on top. There is no wood involved. We figured out we probably have a mink problem. We don't have a normal coop so we don't have automatic doors. It is a plastic shed with double doors on the one side and the front. We don't leave the side open. How do we mink proof the run? I know everyone will say chicken wire but they can climb so what about the top with the netting?

 

[DobieLover]

I know everyone will say chicken wire

No one will say chicken wire.
We will say 1/2" hardware cloth.
You just put up a run.
You have no coop.
You need a coop to secure the birds in at night or you will continue to suffer losses.

What is this building I circled in red? It would make a dandy chicken coop with some modifications for ventilation and the addition of roosts, windows and a pop door.

 

[kaylyntheweirdginger]

No one will say chicken wire.
We will say 1/2" hardware cloth.
You just put up a run.
You have no coop.
You need a coop to secure the birds in at night or you will continue to suffer losses.

What is this building I circled in red? It would make a dandy chicken coop with some modifications for ventilation and the addition of roosts, windows and a pop door.
View attachment 3256404

Our coop is in the picture. So let me rephrase what I meant. The coop is not normal because it's not wood. It's the plastic shed in the back. It has double doors on the front and side. The side is for our access and one front door is open for them. We've already tried the shed in red but it is thin metal so it's not easily modifiable.

 

[3KillerBs]

Have you tried adding electric fencing?

 

[Aunt Angus]

Our coop is in the picture. So let me rephrase what I meant. The coop is not normal because it's not wood. It's the plastic shed in the back. It has double doors on the front and side. The side is for our access and one front door is open for them. We've already tried the shed in red but it is thin metal so it's not easily modifiable.

Are they getting in the coop? You can add hardware cloth to vinyl and resin sheds using screws and washers.

If the attacks are happening in the run, then hardware cloth the heck outta that thing. I had to do that to my 225 sq ft welded wire dog kennel to keep out predators. I even covered the door.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Have you tried adding electric fencing?

This would be the cheapest, quickest option.

 

[kaylyntheweirdginger]

Are they getting in the coop? You can add hardware cloth to vinyl and resin sheds using screws and washers.

If the attacks are happening in the run, then hardware cloth the heck outta that thing. I had to do that to my 225 sq ft welded wire dog kennel to keep out predators. I even covered the door.

We just put up the new run. Before that is was the covered run with the green cover in the picture and a fenced yard. They were getting attacked before we closed the door for the night. The new run is 2500 sq ft. And hardware cloth is not cheap. The top of the run is netting.

 

[3KillerBs]

They were getting attacked before we closed the door for the night.

It may help to keep them closed into the smaller, more secure area for a while. A predator *might* lose interest and move on if it can no longer get easy meals.

But look into the electric. And bait the wires to make sure that the predator gets a good, hard shock on it's most sensitive parts.

 

[kaylyntheweirdginger]

Have you tried adding electric fencing?

How would you go about that? Wouldn't the wire short out from being by the grass. Wouldnt the mink would just go under

 

[Aunt Angus]

We just put up the new run. Before that is was the covered run with the green cover in the picture and a fenced yard. They were getting attacked before we closed the door for the night. The new run is 2500 sq ft. And hardware cloth is not cheap. The top of the run is netting.

Oh! I see what area you're talking about now. I thought you were referring to the chain link kennel.

I would 100% do electric for that area. Very inexpensive and easy. I have electric around what I call my chicken yard (similar to what you call your run).