Weasels in SE Pennsylvania

[GRB73]

I live in SE Pa, about 30 miles north of Phila. We are in a large development. I've been reading about weasels and was surprised to learn they are a predator in this part of PA. How can i protect my chickens? My coop is secure but the run is welded wire, 1"x 2". I read these little buggers can squeeze through tiny holes. Do i have to cover the entire run in hardware cloth?

 

[redsoxs]

I did a BYC search about weasels and it kicked back a few threads:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/535825/weasels and
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/678320/weasel-gruesome-detail-warning-need-ideas-to-catch
They sound like a formidable predator, at least in terms of trying to keep them out of the coop since they seem to be able to squeeze into the tiniest of places. Perhaps trapping is a good option??

 

[aart]

Depends on the weasel.....they come in 3 different sizes...the smallest could get thru 1x2.
Up to you to decide if the run needs smaller mesh or not.
Hot wire might be another alternative to 1/2" hardware cloth.

 

[GRB73]

I'm not sure if there are any in my immediate area. Trying to be proactive. I've considered a hot wire. Can it hurt the chickens if they come in contact with it?

 

[aart]

I'm not sure if there are any in my immediate area. Trying to be proactive. I've considered a hot wire. Can it hurt the chickens if they come in contact with it?

They'll get zapped if their combs touch it...but if it's on the outside of the run, they can't get at it.
Lots of different ways to apply hot wire.
You'd have to do some research on what would work best for your situation.

Here's an excellent threads on hot wire:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1117877/a-treatise-on-electric-fencing
Howard has much experience and is very helpful with analysis and explanations.

 

[GRB73]

Thank you!

 

[Howard E]

I'm not sure how well the "normal" hot wire is going to work against weasels. They are relatively small so could likely get past most of the usual setups.

Assuming you have an apron or foundation down that would prevent them from digging under (they live in burrows so they can dig pretty well), one option might be to put up a couple feet of 1/2" hardware cloth around the base, then at the top of that, run a single hot wire spaced no more than 1" out from the insulator supports. Goal would be have them hit the hot wire while climbing.......and yes they can climb too. If you were going to do it that way, tie your fencer's ground wire to the hardware cloth so hopefully they would be hanging on it when their nose hits the hot wire. You could tie to the ground too, but you may not need it if the cage wire is grounded. I wouldn't think you would need a super hot fencer just for this. Most any of the smaller units would work. If you got a small unit with solar charger, and face it to the south so it charges, it might sit there and perk along for a year or two with not much maintenance. (BTW, this assumes you have no overhanging trees or such to allow them an alternative path in other than climbing the run's wire walls).

To get around the door, cover the run door with 1/2" hardware cloth, or my preference, which is 1/2" x 1" welded wire, then run the hot wire up and around the door frame, then back down to the top of the hardware cloth on the other side.

I've come to believe that as long as you keep them out of your coop, weasels may not be as bad as we think. Their #1 prey is rodents in the form of rats and mice. They say, given a choice, they will prey on them almost exclusively. If so, one way to keep them away from your setup in the first place is to eliminate any spilt feed, etc. that will draw rats and mice to your coop. I'm wondering if many of the weasel issues are not weasels initially drawn to the coop by the rats and mice and being opportunistic little killers, they find the chickens and go for them too.

If you ever do discover you have a weasel hanging around, even more so if he ever gets lucky and kills something, probably best to have a weasel box trap built and at the ready. Just a simple box trap, with a small hole in one end and a big ol Victor rat snap trap waiting inside. Bait it with bloody chicken liver.

 

[GRB73]

The trap idea is a good one, too. This website is great, so many helpful ideas.
I try to keep the run clean. We take in the food and water every night. They go into a metal trashcan in the garage. I won't be feeding the wildbirds this winter either. Past years we had mice because of their spilt seed.
I'm probably blowing this out of proportion. I've only had chickens since March and I'm still getting use to the idea that so many animals want to kill them. Never had that problem with a dog.