What was in my run last night?

[EastJacket]

We have been trying to get this darn thing to lay flat, whatever it was “weaseled” (lol) right under it because it’s not staying flush to the ground. I’m going to look for bigger landscape staples and pile more things on top today.

 

[EastJacket]

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.

Thank you! I’m also wondering if this was a youngster that was still small but smelled the chicken nuggets. We don’t leave their food outside at night but there is a small feeder inside for them.

The windows in the coop are screened with hardware cloth as well, and we shut them at night (two are left cracked for airflow).

 

[cmom]

I agree with putting up a camera. I have several. I originally put them up to see what predators were roaming around here at night and I was quite surprised. I think they are either from rats or weasels. We don't have weasels here but I have had rats. With a camera up at least you should be able to discover what has been digging the holes. Good luck...

 

[ChickenLover08100]

it could be a weasel or a muskrat, how many died if any did at all

 

[MROO]

If you want a more permanent solution, try concrete. My coop and run is a converted wooden playhouse and fort. I dug a narrow trench around the outside of my coop and run, flush up against the baseboard and down about 8 inches. I filled it with dry concrete mix, ran a hose in it until I could mix it easily, and hand mixed it right in the trench. Doing sections keeps them from breaking as easily as they settle. I did opposite sides on consecutive days, but you could do them a half day apart and get the same effect.
I now have a concrete barrier all the way around my coop and run - which has been very effective for keeping my digging dog out of the organic squeaky toy supply.
This year, I banked the top with some good soil and mulch, so now my birds can access kale and marigolds through the wire. So far, it's a win/win for everyone but Crazy Dog. She's reduced to watching Squeaky Toy TV!




The trench runs all the way around the base on all four sides. It was VERY easy to create!

 

[EastJacket]

it could be a weasel or a muskrat, how many died if any did at all

No deaths, al were in a secure coop—I think I’ll put them in around 4 today just to be safer!

 

[EastJacket]

If you want a more permanent solution, try concrete. My coop and run is a converted wooden playhouse and fort. I dug a narrow trench around the outside of my coop and run, flush up against the baseboard and down about 8 inches. I filled it with dry concrete mix, ran a hose in it until I could mix it easily, and hand mixed it right in the trench. Doing sections keeps them from breaking as easily as they settle. I did opposite sides on consecutive days, but you could do them a half day apart and get the same effect.
I now have a concrete barrier all the way around my coop and run - which has been very effective for keeping my digging dog out of the organic squeaky toy supply.
This year, I banked the top with some good soil and mulch, so now my birds can access kale and marigolds through the wire. So far, it's a win/win for everyone but Crazy Dog. She's reduced to watching Squeaky Toy TV!


View attachment 2314245

The trench runs all the way around the base on all four sides. It was VERY easy to create!

That’s a great idea, especially because the back of our run/coop is at the tree line. Poor puppy

 

[aart]

I’m going to look for bigger landscape staples and pile more things on top today.

Yep, just keep pinning it down flat, once the grass grows up thru it should help it in place pretty well.

 

[Folly's place]

Concrete is a very good option, if possible. And those tunnels are large enough for either rats or many weasels.
Mary

 

[MROO]

Concrete is a very good option, if possible. And those tunnels are large enough for either rats or many weasels.
Mary

It was actually a very inexpensive project.It helped that I had several bags in the garage already - from one of those "gonna get a round tuit" jobs - but even so, the bags of generic concrete mix are pretty cheap.