Mink attack...

Callender Girl said:

I am very sorry about the attack and hope you can save your girl.

ALWAYS close your coop door, especially if your run isn't "predator proof"! Forgetting one night cost me three of my four original hens to a mink. I got outside and gave chase too late. I knew it would come back and waited for it, armed with a three-tined cultivator and night vision headlamp. Had there not been a hole in the back hay shed wall, I would have killed the wretched murderer. I did not sleep well for a very long time afterwards, convinced every outdoor sound signaled another attack.

Chicken wire and a tarp won't stop a mink. I have spent a fortune on hardware cloth but it's bought me more peace of mind.

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Callender Girl said:

Let's hope your mink was a male. According to sources I found after my massacre, a male mink will have an exclusive territory while females will have overlapping ones.

I added flashing solar lights AFTER the mink attack. Whether or not they really help, at least it makes me feel better. And, I thought my set-up was predator-proof -- until I learned it wasn't. Even with the door closed at night, I realized that the run, which was designed to keep out large predators, like coyotes, wasn't adequate for stopping sneaky little killers.

How's your survivor doing?

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LateBirdFarms said:

After having 16 birds slaughtered by a stoat in under an hour, I've found nothing short 1/4" hardware cloth will keep out a weasel. If you leave one of your fresh dead chickens out as bait, it may come back for you to dispatch as you please, but they're quick little murder monsters. Sometimes a mass of chicken organs, the bloodier the better can tempt them into a live trap, but I personally have never had any luck catching one after Mt father was unable to set them up for me. Never was sure what I was doing differently but I sure wish I had paid closer attention when he was still able.

They can fit through regular chainlink like there's nothing there, you'll have to be pretty diligent until you catch or kill your culprit. Fingers crossed its working alone and doesn't have a horde of adorable little murder babies with it. The one I dealt with came back day and night trying to find a way back in after we fixed our problem area, so best of luck to you and your flock.

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fancychickens4mygirls said:

Ok. It sounds like we will need more hardware cloth around the coup and continue to shut the door no matter what. We thought we were predator proof, since we have been good for the last three years. Thank you.

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Folly's place said:

Some hay or straw, sure. In fact, your birds will love taking a pile of it down and spread it around themselves. Too much in a damp environment will get moldy though, so watch it. Adding their litter is actually fine, think about having them make compost for you!
Mary

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LateBirdFarms said:

If you're able to give the dirt a bit of a turn, I would start with that before tossing down more bedding, I find it helps to encourage the flock into more vigorous scratching. Like @Folly's place suggested, I put my used coop bedding into the run and have the ladies turn it into a wonderful addition to the garden come fall. They mix and turn all summer, with the occasional addition of grass clippings and yard waste, come the end of the season I fold back the top most layer, take what's underneath for the garden to break down the rest of the way with the added help of melting snow for a super rich base for spring planting.

Glad to hear your survivor is perking up for you!

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fancychickens4mygirls said:

Hmmm...okay. We have really hard dirt, so it is hard to till. Is this what you are recommending because we could give it a try? Sounds like a great idea.

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