What was in my run last night?

[EastJacket]

This morning I came out to let my 6 week-old chicks in the run (they have been out for 2 weeks so far with no previous "signs" of predators). We are in the middle of installing an apron but the sides aren't fully attached/on the ground yet. I found one or two tunnels in and several tunnels (attempted tunnels) out of the run. All the chicks are uninjured this morning, they were locked in the coop--it was probably the coldest night so far this summer, 53 last night (wonder if someone was desperate).

What does everyone think? Our property is backed up to a moderate sized swamp, and I'm wondering if this was a rat or a weasel. Any tips on control would be much appreciated, working more on the apron today.

 

[mowin]

Could be a weasel. They are ruthless little buggers.

 

[EastJacket]

Could be a weasel. They are ruthless little buggers.

Thank you for the response! Do you (or any other readers) know if a weasel is big enough to trigger a trail cam or spotlight/security light?

 

[mowin]

Yes it should.

 

[aart]

Trail cam would be good to find out just what it is.
Funny that there are 3 separate holes?
Holes are what about 1.5"?
I have no idea how big your hand is, use a quarter or a tape measure next time.

 

[Folly's place]

Rats or weasel, either very bad news. Ground squirrels, maybe.
Mary

 

[EastJacket]

Trail cam would be good to find out just what it is.
Funny that there are 3 separate holes?
Holes are what about 1.5"?
I have no idea how big your hand is, use a quarter or a tape measure next time.

Thanks for the response! There are actually five total holes around the run (there was one behind me in the zoomed out photo and another on the other side of the run). Sorry about the hand, these are about 1-1.5 inches each (my hand is about 3.5 inches across the palm) with one widened out to 3-4 inches (I think just for convenience for whatever it was, because the small holes were dug all the way through as well).
I thought it was pretty weird too, not sure why so many holes were dug.

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

Wow. I would be a bit worried. Better put down a hardware apron.

 

[TARDIS37379]

Rats or a weasel, I’d lay down a skirt of hardware cloth and secure it.

 

[aart]

Thanks for the response! There are actually five total holes around the run (there was one behind me in the zoomed out photo and another on the other side of the run). Sorry about the hand, these are about 1-1.5 inches each (my hand is about 3.5 inches across the palm) with one widened out to 3-4 inches (I think just for convenience for whatever it was, because the small holes were dug all the way through as well).
I thought it was pretty weird too, not sure why so many holes were dug.

Hope you can get a cam up and 'catch' them in action.
Lots of rodents dig holes that are of no threat to chickens.
Thinks these are too small for rats or weasels.