Rat or Weasel.... or other

[Stuby05]

I am trying to figure out my little visitor. First a few weeks ago i saw a smallish hole dug in the foundation with a pile of dirt, and so i put rat poison down the hole and filled it in, then nothing looked suspicious until last night I went in and my duck eggs have had the shells eaten off but not the middle of the egg (yolk) it is froze due to cold weather but not eaten. There are no broken shells around either. Also there have been eggs rolled allover the floor. I am wondering if this could be a weasel or rat or something different.. I have live animal traps set but never get anything and never any sign outside my coop. so Far no ducks or chickens have been killed or lost but want to stop my visitor before something does go missing or get killed.
anyone have any suggestions please let me know.

 

[ConchRepublic]

could be rats. They're smarter than people give them credit. I got a few in our tack room that we just can't trap. One of these night's I'm going out there with a pellet rifle or a shot loaded .22 to get rid of them.

 

[gsim]

Since you have an egg sucker/eater, you might try this: Blow out an egg and stir it up in a pan. Seal one end with candle wax, then add antifreeze, 50-50. Pour back into egg and seal other end with candle wax. Pour remainder down drain. Place the egg by the hole, after marking it real well with a sharpie pen. That ought to do it. Whether weasel or rat, he is a goner. Spring-type rat trap will kill a weasel as well as a rat as an alternative. Maybe even try that first. Bloody bait best.

 

[OverEggstended]

I would doubt it is a weasel. I used to raise ferrets... those guys would DEFINIATELY be after the chickens. Wolverines can take down deer for cripes sakes!

Be careful of the poison egg idea... bake sure if you do it, that it is placed where the chickens cannot get ANYWHERE close to it. Most antifreeze has bitters in it nowadays anyway. So it may not work.

Rat poison (warfarin) mixed in some peanut butter balls and thrown down that hole would be MY choice for a try. Do not fill the hole for a few days... let him get that treat!

You could also fill holes with quickcrete.

 

[atlantachickenwhisperer]

Hey Backyard Poultry Buffs,


Listen to Dr. Brigid McCrea, PhD, Poultry Scientist, Professor, and Small Flock Specialist discuss rodent control in the chicken coop.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/backyardpoultry/2010/01/21/backyard-poultry-with-the-chicken-whisperer

Enjoy!