Mink

[Clucksworth]

Does anybody know of any ways to deter mink from wanting to come near my chickens? I had a mink take 2 of my speckled sussex pullets the other morning and would like to prevent anymore of them being lost. I have an electric fence and the chicks were within the fence boundaries and inside some wooden runs - with a roof. I have set up a serious of mink/squirrel traps around my pens and baited them with eggs ( as the cheeky little beggar took a load of my eggs as well as my chicks on his rampage). Would this work as bait or will I need anything a bit more enticing? Does anybody have any experience of trapping mink? Or would be able to recommend any further ideas on how to protect my chickens from the mink?

Thank you for any recommendations

 

[silkiechicken]

Never dealt with mink myself but do hear they are pesky buggers. Good luck riding yourself of this pest problem. Hopefully someone with more experience with mink can come along and help.

 

[shmccarthy]

I know that mink and weasels can fit through very small holes 1", and the best way to keep them out is covering any and all holes and using 1/2" hardware cloth for any fencing. I've never caught a mink before but I almost lost one chicken to a weasel, and was luckily able to save it.