Weasles

[divineangel94]

I have a fairly large coop that does stand off of the ground. We have had mice find their way in through one very very small hole. We can't get hardwire cloth. Both the big door and ramp door have two locks on them and the coop is inside a large dog kennel which both is right next to my bedroom window. Not to mention we have four dogs. I just want to make sure no Weasle can get to them at night. They haven't yet but I am paranoid. Are my chickens safe at night?

 

[CluckerFamily]

A weasel can fit through the holes in chicken wire without any difficulty.
How small is the hole?

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

As far as Weasels (Fisher Cats, Martins, Minks, etc.), they can fit through any whole that your finger can fit in. As far as a dog kennel, they'll try pulling your chickens right through it if possible. I've had both geese and guinea fowl protecting my chickens before. I had a very close call once, and my guineas saved the flock. The guineas slept with the chickens and protected them. Other than that, I've had no trouble.

 

[cmom]

Not knowing your location, have you seen any weasels? I didn't think we had them in Florida but a BYC member recently posted some links that says we do, but they aren't common here. A weasel could easily get to my birds. Thankfully I haven't had to deal with them (yet). My coops and pens are pretty predator proof from other predators both aerial and land. Here I have seen, coyotes, fox, coon, bobcats, possums, owls, hawks and eagles. I do have several game cameras up on my property. Good luck...

 

[divineangel94]

Not knowing your location, have you seen any weasels? I didn't think we had them in Florida but a BYC member recently posted some links that says we do, but they aren't common here. A weasel could easily get to my birds. Thankfully I haven't had to deal with them (yet). My coops and pens are pretty predator proof from other predators both aerial and land. Here I have seen, coyotes, fox, coon, bobcats, possums, owls, hawks and eagles. I do have several game cameras up on my property. Good luck...

I live in Glenmoore Pennsylvania. I haven't seen any yet but I'm just not sure. I've protected my chickens from hawks multiple times and I was able to because the coop is right next to my house. But if I'm sleeping at night anything could happen. To be honest I'm not sure if weasels are around here. The coop is right next to the house and on the other side is a small wooded area. You can never be to safe.

 

[peeper89]

if u build it they will come

 

[TOPChickens14]

I had a weasel attack that took i think 12 chickens over 2 nights. Put some mouse traps around, where the chickens can't step on them and check every night. This is for the mice no the potential weasel. If you can block that hole off. Weasel can fit through any thing bigger than a quarter. Do you have cats? the weasel i had came into my house (because the coop is attached) and my cats killed it. If you have cats put them out there for a little while every day. And finally try to get a have a hart trap or rat trap to catch the actual weasel. Cat treats are great bait (don't let you cats get the treats though, my cat has gotting into a trap before)

 

[itsasmallfarm]

i have caught two weasels this year (both long tail) they will pretty much fit through any size hole that they can. keep in mind there are three types of weasels in north america, the long tail (biggest) short tail (middle size) and the least weasel (very small)

 

[Alaskan]

We have had mice find their way in through one very very small hole

Block the hole... if mice can get in then weasels can too.

 

[divineangel94]

i have caught two weasels this year (both long tail) they will pretty much fit through any size hole that they can. keep in mind there are three types of weasels in north america, the long tail (biggest) short tail (middle size) and the least weasel (very small)

So they can squeeze through this?