Weasel invasion?

[besjoux]

No chicken losses yet.....we went into our barn to feed horses this AM and found another dead weasel. This one was bigger. Ironically, our cats were locked in the barn last night and their exit was 100% flooded from all the rain we are getting. We suspect the weasel snuck in and the cats killed it. Weasel was not eaten (again) and was dead in a different area. Usually the cats bring things to a different area to eat them.

We have lived here 7 year and have never seen a weasel and the cats have never caught one. Now that we have chickens (since June) they have caught 2! Do you think that the weasels are drawn in from the chickens?

 

[besjoux]

I also have let our chickens out in the afternoon for some free range time. is this a bad idea now? They really love it and I expect a few losses at some point but I'd hate to lose all. Can they get away from weasels if free ranging? We leave the run door open but I am concerned.