Trying ID Burrowing Predator

[Ginmary]

Looks like rate burrows to me. I lost 3 chickens this year to rats that got into the coop thru a hole I didn't see.

 

[McChooky]

Looks like rate burrows to me. I lost 3 chickens this year to rats that got into the coop thru a hole I didn't see.

I would agree.I've only seen rats dig this many holes.The fact it left an intact body and wasn't carried off also points to a rat

 

[HollowOfWisps]

If it was a mink or weasel there should be bite mark or marks on the neck to drain the blood (think fuzzy vampire rodent). If it was a rat the flesh will be chewed in smaller bits and gnawed on. Rats really like the reproductive area/vents especially.

 

[Seaslug]

Have there been any scientific studies/reports that show that weasels and mink drink blood? Like any more than any other random animal? The only animal that I have ever seen drink blood has been a dog. I realize that this question is off topic, but I see it repeated...

Also, regarding aprons, I have read naturalist reports of mink burrows being dug 10' on the horizontal. It has made me really question aprons. I believe for rats it was at least 3' -- now, would they do that just to get to food?

 

[Ginmary]

Have there been any scientific studies/reports that show that weasels and mink drink blood? Like any more than any other random animal? The only animal that I have ever seen drink blood has been a dog. I realize that this question is off topic, but I see it repeated...

Also, regarding aprons, I have read naturalist reports of mink burrows being dug 10' on the horizontal. It has made me really question aprons. I believe for rats it was at least 3' -- now, would they do that just to get to food?

I don't think aprons work against rats based on the burrows around my run.

 

[Penolpe]

One of our hens was killed over the weekend while we were gone. I looked around the coop and noticed something has been burrowing all over the place and managed to get underneath the wire that goes down 6” all around the coop. There are multiple holes coming up that measure about 3”. The tunneling looks pretty extensive. What animal is doing this? I’m guessing whatever it is killed the chicken but it seems crazy considering how small the holes are. I have no idea where the holes are originating from so it’s kind of hard to fix the problem. Thanks for any help.

When making my Coop, I use small gauge metal cloth. The openings were about a quarter inch throughout the metal. I laid this down on the bottom of the coop and fastened it to the side walls so now it doesn’t matter where they try to dig in from they still can’t get through the wire. I just put shavings on top of it works great.

 

[UpstateChickenDaddy]

You can see the hardware cloth extends a minimum of two feet out along the ground. The ends are covered in pavers and we are eventually filling over the exposed cloth with rocks. And you can see why!