Minks vs Chickens and Ducks

[White Elk]

Will a Mink attack Chickens and Ducks. Couple years ago my cat Autumn brought us three Minks. Beautiful creatures but definitly predatory. They are pretty small though. If they are a danger and can climb 4ft of Hardware Cloth, I may have to rethink my pens.

 

[LittleChickenRacingTeam]

Minks will DEFINATELY kill chickens.

 

[White Elk]

Oof... How good are they at climbing Hardware cloth?
Can they make it up the 4-5' heights to make it into a Chicken Wire cover?

 

[justusnak]

I can tell you....if you have Mink in your area..you WILL have losses. Those are the meanest, nastiest little foul creatures in the world....in my opinion. Last summer, I lost every duck I had ( over 15) in about 3 nights. They dont eat them, just bite the neck,suck the blood, and move to the next. Then they started on my chickens. I had to put a baby monitor in the coop, so I could be alerted when there was trouble. I was able to finally corner the little monster, and BLAM!! No more of THAT mink.
They are great climbers....chicken wire will NOT stop them...and any hole you can get a hot dog in, they can get in. They are great chewers and diggers as well. When you lock up your chickens...at night...turn on a light inside the coop, and walk around it....any light coming from a crack or hole should be covered PRONTO! Be safe....I hope you can keep them from your flock.

 

[White Elk]

OK ty.. I think I knew as much but was hoping it wasn't so. That'll kick up the cost of the coop yard a bit. I'm hoping to make it aviary style so they could fly a bit and have many levels to perch. They will be free range during daylight but there will be times they will need to be penned up for days. The cost of these birds keeps rising.

And speaking of cost, a baby monitor might be worth the investment. Nice tip!

 

[ravenfeathers]

Quote:
fyi, mink are primarily nocturnal, but they are active in the daylight hours, too. i've seen several around midday. that applies also to weasels and stoats. they're also active during the winter, so no reprieve there.

all are excellent swimmers and while their climbing skills are less than stellar, i'd say that hardware cloth would make a nice little weasel ladder.

 

[White Elk]

Yeah my Cat got three of them (that I know of) all during the daytime. I guess theres no getting around having to pay the extra expense for all hardware cloth. On behalf of my chickens and ducks thanks for the advice everyone!