Weasels??? What do you know about them??

[logansmommy7]

I have lost two chickens (my fault for not counting when I put them in at night) in the last month or so to something that drags them off and all that is left is feathers. My neighbor saw one being dragged across the road a month or so ago and said it was headless but didn't see the perpetrator. I'm thinking weasel as I have heard people around our area say they are here...how do you get rid of them? Can you use a live trap? I don't care if it is alive or not, but I have a live trap and could try....I've read about the wooden box method but seems elaborate to me, with the leg traps, etc.. ???

 

[aprophet]

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just a old style wooden rat trap will get them if you google weasel box the top two links are really good examples on how to make the trap a bit more selective in what it catches my favorite bait is bloody chicken livers/gizzards. The folks around here where I am told me they were not here in tidewater Va. it is funny all the animals are around folks and they have no idea they are there.

 

[bobbi-j]

Weasels the weasels we have here are prstty small - maybe 8" or so long, and not very big around. They couldn't drag a chicken off. Ours usually puncture a vein under the wing or in the neck and drink the blood. A full grown mink, however, could take your chicken. My friend had chickens disappearing last winter and discovered that it was a mink. They look similar to a weasel, only bigger.

 

[oleduke]

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A weasel can grow larger than most people think, and the American Mink is even larger than Weasel. Read this piece of information about the weasel and the other links about the mink etc... Oh and contrary to popular belief, they do not drink or suck blood; rather, they may lap it up as they eat, but they do not drink it. http://www.audubonguides.com/species/Mammals/Long-tailed-Weasel.html

Here is another link full of information on the weasel. http://icwdm.org/handbook/carnivor/Weasels.asp

Last but not least: This article is about the American Mink. http://www.audubonguides.com/species/Mammals/American-Mink.html

I have personally witnessed the mink kill 4 or 5 chickens before I could get my gun. They most definitely kill everything they can in a chicken coop for example. My father lost 15 chickens in one night to this nasty little critter, and boy do they stink!! They have a very musky or musty smell and when I startled the only one I was ever close (within 5 feet) too, it released a smell almost as bad as a skunk. If you have something killing your birds and eating the heads off of them, leaving them after killing (and eating nothing), or killing them and trying to drag them away; the chances of it being a mink are very great especially if you are around water. The same is true with weasels but they are not as water savvy as a mink.

There is also information on how to trap or catch them within those links. One last thing, if you want to see how viscous a mink is look on youtube and search for "Coyote vs Mink" it may surprise you.

 

[illegal avian]

They call themselves Democrats and Republicans and habitat in DC.

 

[logansmommy7]

Quote:
Ok thanks for lightening up the mood in this post-ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm guessing it could be a mink also-we have a creek close by. Who knows really. The one time there was more than one chicken left out the predator only took one and left the others...I'm stumped. I really would like to get rid of whatever it is if I could only know what it is. Thanks for the info!

 

[bobbi-j]

contrary to popular belief, they do not drink or suck blood; rather, they may lap it up as they eat, but they do not drink it

Yes, drink - lap up - consume somehow. That's what I meant, apparently just didn't say it right. I now they're not furry little vampires, but that they do manage to consume the blood of their prey. I agree that mink are vicious. Hubby used to trap them and they are fiesty.

 

[matthewschickens]

I know they are bad...

 

[oleduke]

Quote:
Classic

Seriously, I read that 4 times and laughed every time.

 

[Barred Rocks forever]

they make good dog food lol