Weasels!

[ChickenPalace123]

thank you, we don't use chicken wire but there were holes where the bugger got through the cage, the rest of the chickens in that cage have minor injuries form the attack but are mostly just scared.
the first chicken that was killed was a mixed breed that i bred for this spring ( a wheaten old english game bantam crossed with a quail belgian bearded D'anvers) she was so quirky and cute, but her friend/sister (for real same rooster) is now super clingy to me like she was when she was a chick.
the second chicken was my buff cochin bantam cockerel (all of the chickens in the barn were bantams) he was a chick from late april and the three pullets i got with him are looking for him.

 

[PattyNH]

I live in NH and had a weasel attack earlier this year. They are awful creatures. I'm so sorry for your loss and understand the struggle to keep your flock safe from them...

 

[Folly's place]

Predator proofing is an ongoing struggle, and sooner or later they will all show up! Spend time and effort making your coops safe; no openings larger than 1/2" anywhere!
Only that will work for you. Another weasel will show up, or rats will arrive, or something.
Mary

 

[ChickenPalace123]

I have the equiptment to make a snaptrap now. When I went to TSC, today I got the Rooster Booster Mineral supplement some new feed trays, a bottle of Vet RX(for all of my birds) and a treat block. I am just hoping to keep them as calm as possible. Some minor renovations will be done to the cages (and barn), like adding roosts, Reinforcing wire on the cages with 1 / 4 inch hardware cloth and making different doors for one of the cages, and possibly even painting!

I think I will wait a week after we catch the weasel to put the chickens back in the cages. I have a show coming up in January So the birds need to be safe, the 2 birds that passed were going to that show. I went from 7 birds going to that show down to 5

 

[Howard E]

new England, we have mice and chipmunks but no rats

If mice and/or chipmunks in abundance, that may be what attracted the weasel to you in the first place.

Fish and Game folks tend to downplay the notion of weasels being a threat to chickens, claiming that 99% of what they kill and eat are furry rodents, like rats, mice, moles, voles and gophers. In that, they are one of nature's most potent rodent controllers. Fish and game folks generally encourage their presence.

Where the threat to chickens comes in from weasels is when they are attracted to a high population of rodents, then find your birds instead. They are equal opportunity killers and will transition to your birds with ease. Since they are programmed to attack motion, they normally keep going until they kill an entire flock.

So in addition to going after this guy to stop the immediate threat (he will be back), also take stock of your rodent population to see if control is needed there as well so as to avoid attracting his replacement.

Chickens seem to be rodent magnets, and rodents attract predators that dine on rodents........and chickens alike.

 

[llombardo]

If mice and/or chipmunks in abundance, that may be what attracted the weasel to you in the first place.

Fish and Game folks tend to downplay the notion of weasels being a threat to chickens, claiming that 99% of what they kill and eat are furry rodents, like rats, mice, moles, voles and gophers. In that, they are one of nature's most potent rodent controllers. Fish and game folks generally encourage their presence.

Where the threat to chickens comes in from weasels is when they are attracted to a high population of rodents, then find your birds instead. They are equal opportunity killers and will transition to your birds with ease. Since they are programmed to attack motion, they normally keep going until they kill an entire flock.

So in addition to going after this guy to stop the immediate threat (he will be back), also take stock of your rodent population to see if control is needed there as well so as to avoid attracting his replacement.

Chickens seem to be rodent magnets, and rodents attract predators that dine on rodents........and chickens alike.

A few miles from my house, the local wildlife trapper got a call of something in the wall in a home. It turned out to be 5 weasels(mom and babies). They were all alive but there were dead chipmunks with them. Not sure if they killed them or not.

 

[Shadrach]

There are weasels here. Most attacks aren't fatal because free range, the chickens can run, and if necessary pick their spot to turn and fight. The bantams here are small enough for a weasel to tackle, but the Marans and crosses are big enough to make the weasel look for easier dinners. As is often the case, it's a run and coop security problem. Once a weasel has got in there is nowhere for the chickens to run.
If you're going to keep chickens in coops and runs they need to be predator proof and inspected and maintained on a regular basis. Hardware cloth, never chicken wire is a good rule.

 

[aart]

Chickens seem to be rodent magnets, and rodents attract predators that dine on rodents........and chickens alike.

Chicken feed in particular!
Securing your feed storage and getting no spill feeders will go a long way in not attracting rodents.

 

[ChickenPalace123]

made the trap and set it yesterday, nothing yet. we might get a feeder mouse to put in the trap. i am setting mouse traps and predator proofing tomorrow, so atleast the chickens can be inside