Dylon: cleaning washing machine?

[zaniyah]

Hello, I got my eglu in early Feb and have been very happy so far. I have four beautiful hybrid hens who are all completely tame and extremely spoilt.

 

Unfortunately, I recently discovered that an american mink has taken up residence a short distance away, and I often see it shoot past at high speed when I am looking out of the kitchen window with my tea in the early morning. I'm quite worried as I have heard that they are ferocious predators, and I've already seen several of the local wild ducks that have obviously been attacked by something - probably the mink as there was never a problem before.

 

Has anyone on here had experience with mink before? My local farmer has offered advice on how to shoot or trap it, suggesting that fish varieties of cat food or a freshly shot rabbit are good bait, but I am not sure I'm ready to take that step. Has managed to keep them away with other, slightly less deadly methods? So far it doesn't appear to have taken an interest in the hens but I've been very careful to shut them away as soon as it gets dark and to let them out only into the run until about 11am.

 

zan

[Christian]

Hello Zan and welcome to the forum.

 

Mink are not good news when it comes to hens. I personally would not let mine out of the run if I had mink around.

 

Maybe speak to the farmer and see if you can help?

 

Hope you get it sorted out soon.

[Egluntyne]

Be sure to make it impossible for the mink to sneak in at night through the gap at the back of the Eglu, just above the poo tray. Unfortunately a couple of people have lost a hen in this way. Rare in most areas of the UK.

[Old Speckled Hen]

My local farmer has offered advice on how to shoot or trap it, suggesting that fish varieties of cat food or a freshly shot rabbit are good bait, but I am not sure I'm ready to take that step.

 

zan

 

Mink are well established across the whole of the UK now so are quite common. They are seen in urban gardens and parks as well as in the countryside.

You have to make a choice.

If as you say you are not ready to take a step toward trapping and killing the offenders then you will have to securely confine the chooks. sad but true

[Stevie]

I suggest borrowing or buying a mink trap and dispatching it.They are not a native and are a real threat to indigenous wild species plus domestic poultry.I agree with the others that if you cannot do it yourself-ask the farmer if he could sort this problem.

[zaniyah]

Thanks, I have spoken to the farmer and he has put a few mink traps around. I've so far seen quite a few injured ducks and a lot of fluff from rabbits that have been taken, but haven't seen the mink itself for a while. I've put some extra galvanised, welded mesh under the eglu and tie-wrapped it onto the run, as the hens tend to dust bathe right in front of the door, and with the eglu lifted off of the ground for ventilation this creates a neat gap that a mink or probably a fox could squeeze through - a serious design fault if you ask me!

 

If I/we manage to catch and dispatch of the mink I'll let you know. So far I'm just not letting the hens out of the run unless there are people around. They don't like this at all and look really miserable, but I don't know what else to do.

[chick wiggle]

Im so sorry, what an awful situation! I agree with the others though, no matter how guilty your hens try to make you feel, and they do, dont they? only let them out when your around and they are safe. You wouldnt let your kids play in a park where there have been tigers or bears spotted (unlikely I know, but you know what i mean ) would you? Hopefully your farmer will get them 'sorted' for you.

Tough Love, tougher on the parents then the kids i think!

Be strong and let us know how you get on