very sad day UPDATE- lost even more :o(

[drumstick diva]

No coat for Maddie, the trapper gets the pelts. I hope he continues to trap - that one stinker can't be the only one around. Can't believe he got to sparrow, the little cage looks secured. I don't suppose your hero's name is Trapper John.

 

[Grim]

vicious, smelly little family of vermin. mink, martin, skunk, badger, wolverine, ferret, weasel all the same family and all murderous. not many creatures kill for fun, dogs will because they are breed for something similar (bird dogs and the sort), chimps will if in adolescent gangs but they are so close to us. i think we do because we are too smart for our own good. but weasels will kill because they are bored.

 

[mmaddie's mom]

Another "cute" pic of the varmint that my husband took...

Just had a call from the trapper and he is on his way to pick up his prize!

@ Grim... they definately do have a funky smell to 'em.

@ d diva... as you can see in this pic, the sparrow was dead (in real life you can see blood) but he never could get it out of the little cage... I want one of those little cages for future use.

 

[theFox]

As for there being another mink around, it is possible but not likely, they like weasels only tolerate others of their kind during mating season (and then just barely).

 

[mmaddie's mom]

Quote:
exactly what the trapper said!

... but as the old saying goes, "There's more where that came from."

 

[mmaddie's mom]

Trapper says female... come mating time we will have to be on the lookout for him.

 

[chicks4kids]

Are you planning on setting the trap again just to see if you catch another one?

 

[jennh]

Sorry about your kittie

I had to put down my beloved Athena in Sept. She was 14 1/2, had chronic renal failure.

Jen

mmaddie's mom :

We are thinking weasels or mink. We have never had trouble with these predators before BUT up until Monday we had a resident cat in the coop. He slept there every night. He was an old boy and we had to have him put to sleep earlier this week (cancer). Is it possible that just his presense in the coop at night was a deterrent to these nasty predators? I'm thinking that he may have been earning his keep as a night watchman for my flock! He is missed in so many ways... and so is my flock. It will be a quiet Spring.​

 

[theFox]

mmaddie's mom :

Quote:
exactly what the trapper said!

... but as the old saying goes, "There's more where that came from."

This

hunter who grew up among just a few relatives (my father and 7 uncles) who did the whole trapping, hunting, and guiding thing at various points in their lives says believe that trapper you have.

Yes there is more where that one came from, but you should be set for awhile.

If you want to do a preemptive strike you should get a series of traps closer to running water, set them on active mink sign.​

 

[mmaddie's mom]

Yes... my trapper left the other traps baited, set and ready to snap shut if we have any more visitors.

The only thing that I know about trapping, I have learned on BYC... all very helpful... but if you get a chance for an experienced trapper to come and help you out...TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY! He was so helpful and willing to share information... we've learned a lot in the last few days! It really helped that he is also a chicken owner... keeps his for eggs and because they enjoy them. Great guy!