In old rural beliefs, this animal is identified with a brownie. Like any evil spirit among the Slavs, the brownie is a controversial figure, sometimes kind, sometimes playing pranks. So is the caress. According to stories, it is she who braids the horses' manes, protects the barn from rats and mice, and sometimes she herself steals chickens and young hens. How to get rid of weasels in a chicken coop so that there is no harm from the “brownie”?
Ermine and weasel are small mustelids
These two animals belong to the mustelidae family, two of its smallest representatives. In summer attire it is difficult to distinguish them from each other; both are red-haired with a white chest. In winter, the animals change into a white outfit, only the ermine has a black tassel on its tail, known to everyone from the royal robes.
The most important difference between the ermine and the weasel is in their lifestyle. The stoat is a forest animal and has no contact with humans. But the weasel is a long-time neighbor of the villager; she often settles nearby. In nature, she lives in fields, in twigs, makes a nest in heaps of straw, in heaps of branches. Near a person’s home, it can settle in carelessly left old boards, in last year’s hay, under the floor of a hayloft, or in the attic. The main thing is that it is dry and quiet.
A nimble animal with a body length of 15-20 cm, the weasel is a caring parent. If the nest is disturbed by something or someone, she will quickly drag the cubs to another place. This is dictated by the fact that in the natural environment the weasel has many enemies. If a weasel has taken up residence in your yard, you need to do something. Otherwise, she will feel like a mistress in your house. How to get rid of weasels in a chicken coop?
Reproduction
In March, weasels begin mating games. At this time, fights take place between males for females. The events are accompanied by loud screams.
With the onset of pregnancy, the male leaves the female. Gestation of weasel cubs lasts 35 days. The mother prepares a home for the babies, she covers her nest with grass and moss, and creates comfort in the house for the babies.
The cubs that are born do not have vision. Puppies weigh no more than 2 grams. One mother gives birth to 3-8 puppies. First, the mother feeds them milk, and then gives them a small mouse, for which the kids fight. Upon reaching 4 months of age, babies leave their mother.
The weasel is a rather dangerous animal, despite its miniature size. She moves quickly and is not afraid of any obstacles. However, there is also a benefit from these animals; they destroy mice. In the places where weasels live, the number of rodents is controlled by it, which provides significant assistance to humans.
When meeting this animal in nature, you need to be careful. The person will not frighten the animal; the animal will take the position of an attacker. And getting rid of his tenacious teeth is very difficult.
Protective measures against the little robber
This small animal can kill prey weighing 10 times the hunter's weight. Natural courage and strength allows one to crush an adult chicken, and even a large rat is always defeated. In the summer, there is enough food for weasels in the fields and meadows; with the onset of autumn, they move closer to human habitation to settle down for the winter.
The danger to the courtyard is real. But if you block the predator’s path into the poultry house in time, the weasel will switch to mice and rats - easier and more familiar prey.
Watch the video what will happen to rats if there is no access to the chicken coop
Based on the interesting biology of this animal, a set of measures must be taken.
- Do not create places for comfortable housing. A stack of old boards, a pile of branches, a pile of old hay under a canopy are great places for petting.
- When building a chicken coop, it is better to immediately provide for the possibility of uninvited guests. If possible, build on a columnar foundation. If not, the walls and floor should not have holes or gaps. The weasel does not climb trees, so the absence of all kinds of ledges and steps on the walls will not allow the weasel to penetrate from above.
- The most favorite way for weasels to enter the chicken coop is through rat passages. Strengthening walls and floors against rats is also a measure against weasels. A chain-link mesh dug into the ground around the perimeter of the walls, walls covered with tin - these are the most common measures.
- Weasels are very sensitive to vibrations and noise. Install a couple of windmills that transmit vibration into the ground, and the weasel will not build its nest within a radius of 50 meters. A rattling weather vane on the roof of a barn is not only entertainment for children, but also a repeller for weasels in the attic.
- If there is a doghouse next to the poultry house, then most likely the weasel will not risk tempting fate. If a goat or goat lives in a flock with birds, you are completely safe. Weasel does not like strong odors, like many forest inhabitants. Therefore, you can try the old grandfather’s method - coating the walls with tar. This measure is temporary, but has a chance of success.
These were preventive and gentle measures. It is best to switch the “brownie’s” attention to protecting the yard from mice, but moods can be changeable and there is no guarantee that the weasel will not try to check the strength of the poultry house.
Foxy sister
Who strangles chickens, besides the predators listed above? The beautiful red fox will enjoy eating chicken meat. The cheat kills one or two chickens. And a few more are simply crushing. One gets excited, let's say.
She takes the killed chickens with her. Finds ways to do this. He also returns for those who have been strangled, but most often the owner of the poultry house is ahead of the cunning one. And she no longer gets anything.
When is the fox active? In winter, when there is a problem with nutrition. The cheats eat hares, field mice, and small birds. Winter time is a hungry time, so foxes come to villages and villages in order to profit from meat.
This animal hunts late at night or early in the morning, when it is least likely to encounter a person. The cheater is attracted to the site by the following odors:
Fish. If fertilizer in the form of fish bones is scattered on the site, the fox will definitely visit it.
Garbage. Sometimes owners put buckets of food waste outside the door. Foxes, attracted by the amber, look into the light. They happily rummage through buckets or garbage, looking for something edible. And in between times they’ll visit the chicken coop.
Dung heaps. Chickens love to poke around in them. And the foxes know this. Therefore, they are attracted not so much by the smell of manure as by laying hens enthusiastically rummaging through it.
Ways to fight a ruthless hunter
Let's consider radical measures to get rid of weasels in the chicken coop. Like an animal accustomed to humans, the weasel is not afraid of the smell of iron. It will not be possible to scare it off with laid out metal objects. But this makes it easier to set traps on it. Traps can be used the same as for rats or moles. Rat animals are placed “on the trail,” that is, on paths and near holes. Mole traps are placed along rat underground passages and burrows. You can use live traps baited with fresh weasel prey. They are sold in specialized stores or made independently. Schemes of such devices are known to everyone:
We place a dead bird or piece of meat in a special cage-trap. What to do next with the animal is up to the owner to decide. Some even try to breed weasels in cages as fur animals. It is worth remembering that if the brood does escape, it will be bad news for both your yard and your neighbors!
An ordinary trap is a last resort! Whether to use this method is up to the owners to decide. Don't forget about the good deeds of your little brownie!
Portrait of a predator against a background of nature
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There is no one smaller than a weasel in the Predatory squad. Males can grow up to 26 cm in length and gain weight up to 250 g. The animal’s body is elongated, and its legs are disproportionately short, like those of a dachshund. However, in agility it surpasses not only a dachshund, but even a cat. Moving rapidly in short jumps, the predator easily and often changes direction of movement. Not even a lizard can escape her.
For a complete description of the species, add:
The weasel is sometimes confused with the ermine. They really look alike, but the ermine has a black tassel on its tail, the same one that makes the lining of the royal robe look like it has stripes.
How to identify a weasel
The fact that a weasel has visited your chicken coop can be determined not only by the killed birds, but also by other signs. The behavior of laying hens can tell a lot. Chickens are in no hurry to come down from the roost in the morning, become more timid and cautious, and protect their eggs and chicks.
Weasels can be identified by their small stature, elongated body, like all mustelids, and short toes. The animal has thin but very thick fur. The forest-dwelling predator feeds mainly on rodents. It goes hunting exclusively at night.
The fact that none other than a weasel came to the chicken coop becomes clear from the specific marks that the animal leaves on the body of the killed birds - 2 points, the distance between which is 2-3 cm. The ferret differs from the weasel in that the distance between the marks left on the body birds dots is 5-6 cm. For martens this distance is 3-4 cm. All three predators are especially dangerous for poultry.
Range, habitats
The weasel has inhabited all the continents of the Northern Hemisphere. Animals can be found in such geographical regions as:
- Eurasia, excluding Indochina;
- North America (except for the southern deserts and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago);
- northwest Africa (Atlas Mountains).
Zoologists talk about pronounced intraspecific variability in weasels. For example, the smallest and darkest animals with short tails live in the forests of the Far East and Siberia, northern Europe and North America. Larger (3-4 times) and lightly colored weasels with long tails inhabit the arid regions of lowland Asia (Central/Anterior), as well as the Mediterranean (northern Africa, southern Europe and southwestern Asia).
In Russia, the weasel, due to its comparative unpretentiousness, is widespread and has adapted to most landscape and geographical zones. The predator avoids only snowy highlands and polar deserts, where mustelids are not found in principle.
In other places where small rodents live (steppe/forest-steppe, forests of all types, tundra, deserts and mountains to alpine meadows), weasels can also be found. The animal is not afraid of humans: the weasel has been seen in the park areas of megacities, including in the capital's squares/parks.
How can a weasel get into a chicken coop?
It won't be too difficult to get into the chicken coop for petting. Small cracks or crevices formed in the foundation are enough for the animal to get inside. Anatomical features help it penetrate even the smallest holes.
The weasel can easily gnaw through the old rotten walls of barns. The animal is also able to get inside through rat and mouse holes. In the absence of cracks and passages, the animal sneaks into the chicken coop through the ventilation holes or independently digs under the barn using claws and sharp fangs.
Rats
Who strangles chickens at night? More precisely, chickens and very young birds? It could be rats.
Quite rarely, rodents attack poultry. Hunger forces them to do this. These animals are extremely smart, and in a moment of danger they are able to rush at a person, defending their own lives.
How to protect chickens from them? Set traps for rats. If you are lucky enough to find a nest or hole in the chicken coop, you can use the old method. Break the glass bottle so that the neck remains intact. Champagne bottles are best; they have thicker glass. The sharp edges are pushed forward into the holes. The rat will cut itself on it and return to its place of residence. And there her relatives will finish her off.
Disturb the nest, get rid of the baby rats, if they are there. And with the mother rat, do as described above.
How to catch
Getting rid of weasels visiting the chicken coop is not so difficult. To do this, you need to acquire information about how certain traps work, aimed at catching dangerous animals.
Bird protection
When building a poultry house, it is better to immediately install a mesh on the ventilation system, and make the foundation a little thicker than usual. If this is possible, it is better to slightly raise the structure to a certain height, blocking access to the animal.
When installing a chicken coop on the ground, you can make sure that there is a metal fence around it, but its plates must be dug into the ground at least 50 cm.
During operation, it is important to promptly seal any cracks and holes that appear.
What to do?
Get rid of the visitor. In addition to damaging the farm, the fox also spreads rabies. A sick predator can attack a person. Therefore, having barely noticed fox tracks, it is necessary to urgently take action.
The best way to get rid of the red cheater is a live trap. The thief remains alive by getting into it. The trap is taken away and the animal is released.
Nobody has canceled the traps yet. But this is inhumane.
A guard dog is the best option for scaring off foxes and other small predators. An Alabai or Caucasian Shepherd dog running around the area at night will not allow the sister fox to visit the area.
Fishing methods
If the weasel has already visited the chicken coop once, you need to take drastic measures. To combat the pest, you can use one of the methods suggested below.
Important! Representatives of the mustelid family are repelled by strong smells and loud sounds. This feature must be used to protect poultry from weasels.
Repellers
You can get rid of weasels using different methods. First, you should try special repellers.
- Electronic products. The operating principle of such mechanisms is based on the production of low-frequency sounds that the human ear cannot perceive. They also do not cause harm to health. But the weasels are panicked by these sounds and run away.
- Flashlight with motion sensor. When an animal approaches, such a device reacts to the slightest movement by turning on bright lighting and emitting a sound signal. This scares Laska and she runs away.
Any of these devices must be installed in close proximity to the walls of the chicken coop so that the animals cannot get very close.
Mousetraps
You can catch weasels using ordinary mousetraps. Considering the size of the animal, it is better to take devices for rats. You can buy such a device in a store or make it yourself.
To make it you will need a small but spacious box made of boards. The 2 windows are connected by bridges that connect in the middle. They form a solid corridor hanging in the air. Metal hooks with bait are placed above the lid of the device. They should be located just above the place where the two bridges interlock. The weasel climbs onto the bridge for bait and falls inside.
Animals caught in them are immobilized and cannot escape. But you need to remember that the weasel is a very cautious animal, and if the trap smells like a person, then the animal will never approach it.
To solve the problem, the trap is coated with cow manure or the device is pre-boiled in spruce needles. The trap can also be treated with slaked lime. The trap should only be set in thick fabric mittens.
It is best to place the trap near a tunnel or an existing mouse tunnel. To catch a predator, it is recommended to use trail traps - plate or frame.
Plate traps can be of three types:
- with internal spring;
- with cross;
- without cross.
A trap with a cross is a universal option. Frame can be of several types. Each device is distinguished by a base, which can be oval, round or rectangular.
You have to resort to using a trap only when other methods of catching an animal have not been successful. For an animal caught in a death trap, a spring clamps its neck and paws and it loses the ability to move.
Frame traps are excellent at catching weasels. But plate devices are designed differently. They are used in the fight against larger predators.
Nimble toy
Weasel is the smallest predatory animal on the planet. His height is only 16-18 cm. He has an extremely cute appearance if you admire him from afar. Large beady eyes are combined with a sharp, whiskered nose and incredibly soft, fluffy fur. The miniature predator has a thin tail and a snow-white coat.
This animal belongs to the mustelidae family, and is related by blood to the mink, ferret and ermine. It is not afraid of people; on the contrary, it takes an aggressive pose at the sight of a biped. There are often cases when a predator itself attacks a person, and it becomes very difficult to free oneself from its sharp, tenacious teeth.
If you approach a wild weasel, it will attack without hesitation. By the way, this cute, at first glance, animal is a real record holder for hooliganism among animals. It attacks chickens, snakes, rabbits, moles and frogs. All these fauna representatives easily fit into the animal’s menu.
Of course, in order to avoid all the predatory antics of the animal, it is easier to tame an ordinary ferret, but if you are not looking for easy ways and are determined to make a predator your favorite, it will be useful for you to know about some of the features of its character, behavior, nutrition and habits.
Animal in nature and in captivity
The weasel swims very well, runs quickly, enjoys exploring burrows, holes and depressions in the soil, and moves freely along tree trunks and branches. Coupled with her aggressive disposition, this makes her even more dangerous to her “neighbors.” The animal can be found in almost any part of Eurasia.
The smallest animals live in the coldest places in the north. Despite its bloodthirstiness and hooliganism, the weasel is extremely useful to humans due to its talent in catching rodents.
Why did the weasel acquire such an uncharacteristic name for its behavior? The fact is that weasels are extremely easy to tame as a pet, especially at an early age. Unfortunately, a considerable number of these animals die in captivity, but they are quite capable of living with you for 4-6 years.
Please note that babies are best tamed, which means you will have to work hard with their maintenance, training and feeding.
A weasel, turned into a tame animal, very quickly becomes attached to its owner, and sometimes even follows on his heels like a faithful dog. History knows a case when one Englishman, who acquired an animal, was forced to take it with him to work, because it simply could not stand the painful loneliness. If you do everything right, your new pet can become a truly loyal, affectionate and gentle friend for you.
As we have already emphasized, the optimal option is to tame a small animal, however, due to its difficult adaptation at home, many people prefer to catch already grown animals. True, in this case they are destined to be bitten repeatedly. And it is not at all possible that your new pet will run away from you.
Therefore, it is better to take on the responsibility of caring for a newborn, but be 100% sure that this particular baby can become a devoted and faithful friend.
Unlike wild animals, domestic weasels fully live up to their name. They can sleep with you, play and relax. Keeping an animal is also quite possible together with a dog and a cat, but only on the condition that the more familiar four-legged animals are not aggressive. Especially considering that this small fur-bearing animal can easily occupy a sleeping place and steal food from its older “neighbors.”
By the way, the choice of resting place should be left to the guest herself, since you are unlikely to be able to artificially create and impose on her any location for sleeping. Be prepared for significant expenses on animal feed. Synthetic food from pet stores is definitely not suitable for him, and he needs to be fed exclusively with fresh meat and eggs.
The quality of these products must also be high. Don't forget that your new pet should always have clean drinking water in his bowl.
If you have taken care of a baby, be sure to feed him fresh natural milk using a syringe or pipette.
Keep in mind that if your neighbor has a bird, he is almost guaranteed to have to part with it. The new friend will destroy any bird, turning your former neighbor friend into your fierce enemy. But if you have a parrot or a canary living in your cage, the animal will not touch it, since it does not hunt where it permanently lives.
Lifespan
Animals living in captivity live on average 8-10 years, depending on the location and habitat. Weasels that are kept at home are somewhat inferior to their wild, free relatives. Their average life expectancy ranges from 4-7 years. Among the animals there are also long-livers. Cases have been recorded of female weasels living up to 20-30 years. But the true record holder was the male animal, who lived in captivity for more than 60 years.
Where to buy an animal?
If you are completely ready to keep a weasel at home, the question rightly arises: where can you buy this unique animal? Unfortunately, weasels are extremely rare for sale. Therefore, you have two options: look for people who purposefully breed animals, or catch the pet yourself.
But in the second case, one should not be surprised at the primary aggression. And you can also safely dismiss all notions of normal cohabitation between weasels and other mustachioed and striped animals.
We create a favorable atmosphere
When you are ready to welcome a new family member into your home, take care of his comfort:
- Calculate your budget in advance and allocate a portion for feeding. Remember - these animals quote exclusively high-quality products, especially chicken eggs and meat;
- If you are taking a baby, think about which way is more convenient for you to feed him. A syringe without a needle or a pipette that imitates a mother's nipple is best;
- Do you value your cords and adapters? Then immediately put them out of reach or cover them securely with a cloth. The young predator is extremely playful and will easily chew through all the wires;
- The animal does not need a large tray, but you must monitor its trips to the toilet and promptly clean up after the animal - it does not tolerate dirt near itself;
- Existing pets should be introduced to their new “neighbor” as carefully as possible. Let them get used to each other and make sure that the “elders” do not offend the newcomer;
- Don't be surprised by the daring robberies that may occur in your home from time to time with the arrival of an unusual wild animal.
If you decide to buy yourself such an unusual four-legged friend as a weasel, you must be prepared for periodic difficulties with its maintenance. May your new pet find a true loving owner in you and become your devoted friend for many years to come!
Preventing predators from entering
The best preventive measure is to repair an existing chicken coop or build a new one. In the event that the weasel has become a frequent guest, a new structure will have to be erected.
When carrying out repair work, you need to pay attention to a number of factors:
- eliminating all cracks and holes, even the smallest ones;
- replacing rotten wood;
- strengthening the floor in the poultry house with tin plates;
- cleaning the area around the chicken coop. All garbage heaps and any piles that could become a refuge for a predator must be removed;
- digging a chain-link mesh around the perimeter of the chicken coop;
- installing a chicken coop on piles.
In addition, you should take care of the concrete floor and high-quality roofing, thereby eliminating the possibility of undermining.
Can a weasel kill a chicken?
The appearance of the weasel is cute, but deceptive. This is an aggressive and voracious predator that eats chickens, ducks and even geese. Despite its small size, the animal attacks the victim, suffocates it, then tears off parts of the carcass. The weasel has sharp fangs and a muscular body, and a caught chicken has no chance of survival.
The small elongated body and brown coat color allow the animal to remain unnoticed in its natural environment, making it difficult to shoot. The animal near human habitation feeds mainly on rodents; it rarely attacks chickens, only during periods of famine. There have been cases when a hungry weasel attacked cats and small dogs .
After a night attack by a predator, the farmer finds several (sometimes more than a dozen) carcasses of dead chickens in the chicken coop.
Ferret is a dangerous animal
One of the worst enemies of poultry is the forest polecat. For most people, a ferret is a cute pet. A cute pet with the habits of a cat and the character of a dog. But is it really so?
The forest ferret is an animal that strangles chickens. In one raid on the chicken coop, he is capable of strangling a huge number of them. He will eat one or two and destroy the rest. The ferret attacks the chicken and strangles it with its paws. As soon as the victim stops resisting, the beast loses interest in her.
The ferret acts on instinct. Does the chicken run, fuss and resist? He is interested in her as prey. The bird is dead and therefore there is no resistance? The ferret leaves her and begins searching for a new victim.
This animal is not large - 40-45 centimeters. Very cunning and dexterous. It usually gets into the chicken coop through a tunnel. If the owner finds a hole near the walls of the room, it means that a ferret is visiting the “chicken kingdom”.
How can a weasel get into a chicken coop?
Weasel is a nimble, active animal. Thanks to its slender, elongated body, it is able to get into the chicken coop through any hole of more or less suitable size. The entry point may be:
- chipped foundation;
- mouse gap;
- rotten and falling apart wooden walls;
- ventilation system.
Even a small, inappropriately sized hole for caressing is often not a problem. The animal has sharp teeth and strong claws, and easily expands the hole to the required size, if the material from which the chicken coop is built allows. The predator easily crawls through mouse tunnels, digs underground paths on its own, and gnaws holes in the rotten damp boards that make up the walls of the poultry house.
Therefore, a farmer who decides to get rid of weasel must take care not only of means of destruction or repellent, but also of strengthening the structure of the chicken coop, as well as the fight against mice and rats in the garden.
Home owner advice
Four years after moving into our house, I noticed that a marten lived with us. We recognized the fact that a new tenant had appeared under the roof from the sounds that the animal made, especially at night. The external camera system quickly determined who the culprit was and how the animal got onto the roof: it was under insulation. I was afraid that the marten would destroy the roof insulation, so I decided to get rid of it as soon as possible. We gave up on the idea of using ultrasonic repellers because we have two collie shepherds and I was afraid it would be uncomfortable for them. We set various types of live traps, but were unable to catch the pest.
The battle with the marten lasted several years. Sometimes signs of its activity disappeared for several months, but then it appeared again. I hope she is gone forever now because the world has lasted almost two years. I think the most effective method of dealing with the critter is to earlier, very carefully "seal" any areas through which the animal can enter the attic. Unfortunately, we didn't think about this before.
A live trap for small representatives of the mustelid family is a pipe 90 cm long, 14 cm wide, and 18 cm high, made of boards 1.5 - 2.5 cm thick. One end side of this wooden pipe is closed by a window-latch made of organic glass, moving in the grooves of the strips nailed to the ends of the lower and side walls. The latch is secured in the grooves with a nail inserted into the socket at the end of the top board so that an animal caught in the trap cannot lift it.
Signs of appearance
If a poultry farmer has noticed predators of the mustelid family near a farm, he can rest assured that he will soon have to count the carcasses of dead chickens.
If a weasel came out of the forest and approached human habitation, then it has identified its victims.
It is difficult to see the animal, because, like any skilled hunter, it knows how to carefully camouflage itself, is perfectly oriented in the area, and approaches the feeding site undetected. Therefore, poultry farmers have to use defense rather than attack tactics.
Nutrition
What does the weasel eat?
? This animal is a carnivore. Therefore, his menu is appropriate: mouse-like rodents, chickens, pigeons, chicks, young rabbits.
A bloodthirsty animal should eat 30-40 g per day. If there is a shortage of food, the weasel can eat amphibians, fish, snakes, insects and even crayfish. During the hunt, this predator pursues its prey not only in open areas, but even in their own houses.
It grabs small animals by the back of the head or head, and digs into the neck of large animals. If a weasel finds eggs, it makes a hole in the shell and drinks the contents. The weasel animal does not forget to stock up for the winter. Sometimes up to 30 mouse corpses can be found in their burrows.
How to deal with weasels in the chicken coop?
It is not difficult to deal with a forest predator. The main thing is to take into account his weaknesses and habits. Farmers have invented a large number of means of control. They use mechanical, electrical devices, folk remedies, even other pets.
Do-it-yourself catching
This option is difficult. Since weasels are nocturnal hunters, the owner of the chicken coop will have to spend a sleepless night. You need to hide in a secluded place and wait for the forest enemy to appear. When the weasel approaches the chicken coop, jump out of the shelter, throw a blanket or tarp over it, press it to the ground, not allowing it to twist and scratch the covering fabric. Next, grab it by the scruff of the neck and place it in a previously prepared cage.
A farmer who decides to catch a weasel must wear rubberized work gloves, since the animal will bite and scratch, trying to escape. To prevent bites, you can pinch the animal's nose with your fingers so that the animal opens its mouth, and then put a gag or a wooden block in its mouth.
If a humane attitude towards wildlife is a priority and you don’t want to kill an animal, then you should take the cage to the forest closest to your garden plot and release the animal there.
Homemade devices
You can catch a weasel not only with your bare hands, but also with the use of simple traps:
- A wooden box or metal bucket is placed upside down on a support near the chicken coop. Meat is placed under the structure as bait. The predator, trying to get to the meat, breaks the structure. The support falls and the animal is trapped.
- Purchase or construct a cage in which the door falls down when a living creature enters. A treat is placed inside the cage.
These traps are not always effective. The weasel can get to the treat carefully, without hitting the support, or it can completely ignore the bait, heading straight to the chicken coop.
The farmer must stand guard, hiding near the trap. After all, even if tempted by the bait, the predator will try to get out of the trap.
Large mousetraps
Representatives of mustelids are small animals. Therefore, they are often caught using large mousetraps, also called rat traps. They look like a wooden or metal mesh box, inside of which there is a hanging block connecting the passages.
A treat is placed in the center of the rat trap. Seduced by the bait, the animal runs along the block and falls into the chamber, from which it cannot climb out.
Rat traps are sold at specialized points of sale. Some farmers construct them themselves.
Repellers
If a poultry farmer does not want to destroy small predators, but wants to discourage them from the chicken coop, he can use repellers. There are the following devices:
- An electronic device that produces low-frequency sounds that are not picked up by the human hearing system, but cause fear and a desire to run away in small animals.
- A lighting device with a motion sensor that turns on when a living creature approaches. Bright lights and sound signals scare away the uninvited guest. Typically, such a device is hung directly on the wall of the chicken coop.
Traditional methods
Among the traditional methods, poultry farmers most often use:
- Tar. They smear it on the walls of the chicken coop. The substance emits an odor unpleasant to animals. But such a remedy is useless if the animal makes its way into the building through the roof or mouse holes.
- Goat skins. They are hung on the walls of the chicken coop. Their effect against predators also lies in the unpleasant odor they emit.
Installation of traps
An effective but radical method of combating weasel is to install traps in the area near the chicken coop. But you need to take into account that a cautious animal will not approach an object that smells like a person, so before placing the traps, they are treated with manure, pine decoction or slaked lime. The lubricated device is opened and secured with rubber or fabric gloves.
The installed trap must be firmly fixed in the chosen place, since often sinewy and nimble animals run away along with the device.
If a weasel enters the chicken coop through an underground tunnel, then a trap is placed near the starting and ending points of the path. Pieces of meat and chicken feathers are used as bait.
Nutrition
The weasel can be active at any time of the day, but prefers to hunt at night.
The weasel is very dexterous and agile, runs fast, climbs and swims well, is distinguished by great courage and aggressiveness and is a dangerous enemy for all small animals; Its food consists of house mice, field and forest mice, shrews, voles, rats, moles, young rabbits, hamsters, chickens, pigeons, as well as lizards, copperheads, snakes, even vipers, frogs, and insects.
In places where it is not pursued, the weasel hunts both day and night. By exterminating mice, it brings great benefit, which, in any case, outweighs the harm it sometimes brings to chicken coops. Weasels sometimes successfully fight off even relatively large birds of prey (for example, kites).
In the winter season, Weasel prefers to move in voids under thick snow, and if a lot of snow has fallen, it may not appear on the surface for a long time.
The weasel is a very prudent and thrifty animal; when it is well-fed, it makes provisions by storing mouse carcasses in a secluded place - such a stash will come in handy in times of famine.
Pet Help
It’s good if, in addition to chickens, the poultry house contains geese and turkeys. These birds, having noticed a predator, begin to scream heart-rendingly. And the large size of their body does not allow the weasel to quickly kill them.
Pets scare away forest predators just as well as electronic devices. If a cat can handle rats, then it can handle affection. The main thing is to provide her with free access to the chicken coop.
In order for the dog to scare away uninvited guests, the booth must be built next to the chicken coop. Or attach a long chain to the collar, allowing you to reach the poultry house. But you shouldn’t let the dog into the chicken coop itself. By barking and chasing weasels, he can frighten and injure birds .
Marten
Who strangles chickens en masse at night? Farmers say they see something strange. Dark, very nimble and agile. It was like a shadow flashed through the chicken coop. And then she disappeared without a trace.
There are legends among people about the Chupacabra; supposedly this animal sneaks into a barn or chicken coop at night. Sucks blood from cattle and poultry. No one has ever seen the mythical creature. Only the shadow had to be seen. It will flash and disappear in the silence of the night. Has the chupacabra visited the chicken coop?
Alas, in our case it is an ordinary marten. That's who strangles the chickens! A cute animal, very dexterous and graceful. Visits human habitation not so often. The marten feeds on mice, squirrels and rats. When there is not enough food or there is simply no food, the animal goes to villages and villages. And destroys chickens.
The marten crushes the bird, then gnaws its throat and eats the carcass. Having had his fill, he continues to crush the chickens “in reserve.” It can drag the carcass with it if it crawls into the tunnel through which the predator passed.
Preventing predators from entering
The farmer must carefully inspect the chicken coop and the surrounding area and, if necessary, carry out the following work:
- caulk all holes, cracks, cracks, even small ones;
- replace rotten, damp parts of a wooden structure with new ones;
- strengthen the flooring with metal plates;
- put the poultry house on piles;
- fence the chicken coop with chain-link mesh;
- clear the area of debris, piles of fallen leaves and other things that could become a hiding place for a predator.
It is advisable to make the floor of the chicken coop concrete and install a durable roof. If the building is in poor condition, then it is easier to build a new one.
