Uninvited guests

[Mugs78]

Hello~ my husband and I have enjoyed having chickens for about 5 years. This year has been nothing short of a nightmare. We have been aggressively dealing with a rat issue. First time. We inherited our chicken coop from our retired farming neighbors. We moved it to our property on skids. Reinforced the foundation with metal sheeting to address rodents attempting to get in. Since having rats, I read that rats can dig up to 2 feet to get to a food source. We feel that we have addressed the rat issue yet, another rodent has used an unknown (to us) entry.

We believe that we have eliminated the rats but would like some feedback about a possible different rodent that may have accessed the coop.My question is: which rodent would kill a chicken and attempt to drag it under the coop leaving only the lower half of the chicken. Could it be a weasel or a mink?

We have plans to continually investigate areas of potential access to the coop and address the problem.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUNomenal Flock!

 

[orloffer]

Welcome to BYC, Mugs78! There is so much to see, do, and learn here! I am sorry you are having a rat issue.

 

[N F C]

Sorry you're having an issue. Try posting about it over on the Predator/Pest forum to see if someone can help you out. Be sure to give your general location as that can make a difference on advice.
Predators and Pests

Best wishes!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

My question is: which rodent would kill a chicken and attempt to drag it under the coop leaving only the lower half of the chicken. Could it be a weasel or a mink?

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

Very sorry for your loss and this years' nightmare.

Raccoon will reach through any opening larger than half inch and sometimes rip heads off. Once all feed has been eliminated.. rats WILL go after chickens and especially chicks.. but I would say dragging away or under the fencing is not their usual MO that I'm aware of.

Opossum and skunk also yes. Even red squirrel.

Mink and weasel family are more likely to kill everything inside the coop or at least leave lots of carnage. They are also able to enter anything larger a quarter.

Please post a photo of your set up so we can help discern your entry points for uninvited intruders.

Adding your general location to your profile might help folks make their best suggestion possible at a glance.

The killer WILL return.. security must be boosted before nightfall!

Hope things rapidly start to improve for you and your flock!

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Oh gosh, I am so sorry! Definitely follow the link to our Predators forums that @N F C has left for you.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens this is a great place to explore

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Sorry you are having a predator problem. Certainly visit the coop and run forum as well for advice on predator proofing your setup.

 

[Eggscaping]

Hello~ my husband and I have enjoyed having chickens for about 5 years. This year has been nothing short of a nightmare. We have been aggressively dealing with a rat issue. First time. We inherited our chicken coop from our retired farming neighbors. We moved it to our property on skids. Reinforced the foundation with metal sheeting to address rodents attempting to get in. Since having rats, I read that rats can dig up to 2 feet to get to a food source. We feel that we have addressed the rat issue yet, another rodent has used an unknown (to us) entry.

We believe that we have eliminated the rats but would like some feedback about a possible different rodent that may have accessed the coop.My question is: which rodent would kill a chicken and attempt to drag it under the coop leaving only the lower half of the chicken. Could it be a weasel or a mink?

We have plans to continually investigate areas of potential access to the coop and address the problem.

Welcome to BackYardChickens! So glad to have you here in our wonderful community of friendly, helpful, knowledgeable people! My best advice would be to get a small game/trail camera and put it where you can actually capture a picture of what you're dealing with. If you look at the "forums" section of the group here, and search for 'weasel' or "mink" you might find some help too. Rats do drag things, but then...so do weasels.

 

[drumstick diva]

I don't know the likelihood of finding a working terrier group in your area but, if you do come across one they may be of service. Their dogs live to destroy rodents and owners love to demonstrate their prowess. Generally they are Jack Russell and Bedlington Terriers.