Weasel or mink proofing chicken coop

[Chickenmama73]

We had a mink or weasel kill our entire flock of 16. How can I completely predator proof my coop so this never happens again?

 

[CluckerFamily]

I used 1/4" hardware cloth on all 6 sides of my run. My run also has a roof.
I have a walk-in coop and it is raised off the ground. I installed hardware cloth on the bottom of the coop and down the open sides of the raised part so nothing can get under the coop.

 

[Chickenmama73]

Ty.

 

[Howard E]

Plan and build for them and they won't be a problem.....

This guy turned up a few days ago......taken 50 yards from the chicken house.......


This is what keeps him out.......

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/woods-colony-house-portable.1104954/

1/2" hardware cloth will stop anything bigger than a mouse.....and is made of heavier and more durable wire than 1/4". And 1/2" x 1" cage wire is heavier still.

If they can't dig in, wiggle in or break in......they can't get in. Do that and birds are safe.

 

[Howard E]

Also critical to use a feed system that does not encourage a rodent population around the chicken house. That will draw in rats and mice, and those draw in weasels and mink. They come for the rodents, but will transition to killing your birds at the drop of a hat.

 

[50-45-1]

Second on everything above.
1/4 inch hardware cloth apron around coop in ground down a foot at least. Hardware cloth over any gaps or holes any hole a mouse can get in a weasel will also.
So sorry about your flock!

 

[Howard E]

Another thought.....metal siding and roof.....same stuff used to built pole barns and such, is the most durable, bombproof, rodent proof building material you can use, but there is a learning curve associated with using it. Only really special tools needed is a way to cut it.

But in almost all climates, for use as a chicken house, it needs to be insulated. Without insulation, I can see one becoming a death trap. Damp, wet and Ice cold in the winter, blazing hot oven in summer. With insulation of the right type, very cozy.

Then lastly, if you want to go all the way, build it on a cement floor. Metal clad, insulated chicken house, on cement slab, will stop all comers. Design can be about anything, but since metal comes in 3 foot widths, multiples of 3 is best. My woods coop would either be 6' x 12' or maybe 9' x 15'. Purchased from pole barn shops, many of those will custom cut it for you so all you have to do is screw it down.

 

[graypes]

Also critical to use a feed system that does not encourage a rodent population around the chicken house. That will draw in rats and mice, and those draw in weasels and mink. They come for the rodents, but will transition to killing your birds at the drop of a hat.

can you recommend a feed system? or explain yours! whatever half-a'd system I have sure is attracting the critters... and my ducks sleep inside at night!

 

[cmom]

Another thought.....metal siding and roof.....same stuff used to built pole barns and such, is the most durable, bombproof, rodent proof building material you can use, but there is a learning curve associated with using it. Only really special tools needed is a way to cut it.

But in almost all climates, for use as a chicken house, it needs to be insulated. Without insulation, I can see one becoming a death trap. Damp, wet and Ice cold in the winter, blazing hot oven in summer. With insulation of the right type, very cozy.

Then lastly, if you want to go all the way, build it on a cement floor. Metal clad, insulated chicken house, on cement slab, will stop all comers. Design can be about anything, but since metal comes in 3 foot widths, multiples of 3 is best. My woods coop would either be 6' x 12' or maybe 9' x 15'. Purchased from pole barn shops, many of those will custom cut it for you so all you have to do is screw it down.

I agree. I use both the 1/2" x 1/2" and 1" x 1/2" welded wire. As @Howard E said the 1" x 1/2" is heavier. Myself I use hanging feeders and have never had any issues with pest getting into the feed but my feeders are inside the coops and I have electric wires around my coops and pens. My fences are grounded so if anything touches or tries to climb and touch the electric wires and the fence they will get a good zap that will hurt big time. I know I have accidentally touched them.