AllWhat do I need to know about weasel family predators if I keep chickens?October 11, 2022 Back to blog Show Name:  Some are tiny; for instance, some weasels aren't much bigger than a mouse, but they can kill rabbits and chickens many times their size. Some members of this group are very large; for instance, wolverines have weighed up to 70 pounds. Distribution/Habitat: Various species are found throughout the world Hunting Behavior: Some in this group are not predators of chickens (otters, for example), and some are more often predators of young chicks or eggs (such as the skunk). However, most types will eat chickens if given the opportunity, and when they do, their hunting behavior is similar enough to be classified together here. These predators can often be very effective hunters. The lithe body shape of many types means they can squeeze through holes that mice or other small rodents can barely fit through. In fact, most of this group usually prefer to prey on voles, mice and shrews, so this body shape is quite efficient. They will also be attracted to unsecured animal feed, ungathered eggs and the like. The truth is that chickens are not the preferred prey of many members of this group, and it is relatively rare for most even to prey on small wild birds, much less chickens. That said, if you give them the opportunity to attack your birds, they will certainly take it. Larger members like fishers, wolverines and badgers are an exception: they can be vicious determined hunters of your chickens if they are in your area. But since the primary diet of many small weasels consists of mice, a weasel who has gotten into your coop may initially have done so initially because it was hunting mice, or even because it found your unsecured chicken feed, hidden eggs or something else in your area that attracted it. When they eat most of the rodents and preferred prey in your area, they may also begin targeting eggs, chicks and adult birds. Members of this taxon are typically excellent climbers and diggers, and larger types can be quite strong, forcing their way through the edges of wire mesh that aren't secured. Don't be surprised if the animal seems very large for the entrance you find! They are designed to fit into small spaces. If these are the predators of your chickens, they will probably kill multiple birds in the way foxes will. They kill with lots of small bites to the base of the skull. The larger predators in this group may carry off a carcass, but since they tend to gain access through smaller openings, it is usually not possible to remove a carcass from the scene of the crime. Instead, the bodies may be strewn about where they were killed, or they may be piled. Which particular species did that damage can probably best be determined by which are common in your area. Predation by skunks will, of course, leave a lingering smell. Protecting Your Flock First, don't attract these predators to your yard. For instance, don't leave out cat food, and make sure they can't get to wild bird feeders or any seed beneath the feeders. If you have mice, be sure to take care of the problem before weasels or other predators of these rodents are attracted. In dry areas or during dry periods, they may be attracted to sources of water in your yard, too. Don't leave anything out for them! To keep your flock safe, make sure any wire mesh on your coop is securely attached, because these predators can force themselves through areas that are not firmly attached. They can climb fences, and dig beneath enclosures. Don't use chicken wire for your coop or run: chicken wire is not a barrier to predators. Most predators can tear through it like tissue paper, and some in this group can simply squeeze through the holes. (Chicken wire should only be used to keep chickens in, not to keep predators out.) Instead, use hardware cloth, and be sure to provide a small mesh for best protection (1/2" or 1/4"). Back to blog Mustelid: The name doesn’t sound very intimidating. But if you keep chickens, your ears should perk up, and you should be on high alert. Among the savvy, wiry members of the mustelid family are martens, ferrets, fishers, minks and, of course, weasels—so common and conniving that this whole family of hunters is often referred to as the “weasel family.” Even so, the family Mustelidae is one of the most diverse animal families and includes larger mammals, such as badgers, otters and wolverines. While each animal is different and can vary greatly in size and behavior, on the whole, these hunters can be recognized by their long, thick bodies and tails; short legs; rounded ears; and five-toed feet with nonretractable claws. In fact, by all appearances, they’d seem to be rather cute … if you didn’t know the damage they can inflict on a flock of chickens. Mustelids are usually nosy creatures by nature; they like to stay very active and are always on the move hunting for their next meal. To round out the male mustelid’s physical attributes are powerful scent glands that release a repellent odor, often used to mark territory. It’s not quite as pungent as skunk odor, but not pleasant, either. Do you still think they’re cute? The Weasel’s Calling CardBecause there aren’t many chicken keepers who fear for their flock’s safety from badgers or otters (that I know of, anyway), for the sake of this profile, we’ll consider the behavior, habits and threat of the common weasel, called the least weasel. It’s the smallest member of its family—not much bigger than a mouse—and likely the greatest threat to your birds and chicks, if only due to its wide North American distribution. Still, whether or not your flock is vulnerable to these tiny carnivores depends on your locale, of course. What the weasel looks like may vary slightly depending on your location, too. Most weasels are various shades of brown and some have white underbellies, but they can also be almost completely white, depending on the time of year, as some weasels’ coats turn white in winter. Because the weasel is rather tiny compared to many of our domestic chickens, our flocks are thankfully not usually their first meal of choice. Most of the members of the weasel family that call North America home prefer to hunt smaller animals, such as mice, rats, frogs, moles and voles. However, they’ll easily make a meal of larger prey if the conditions are right. If weasels are likely to prefer rodents and small animals to a flock of chickens, why should you be concerned? Well, because of their svelte frames, least weasels can squeeze into and through gaps about the size of a quarter. They’re also rather good at climbing over obstacles or digging under enclosure walls and fences if they can’t just sneak through a gap. Another thing to consider is the weasel’s strength, which is considerable for its size. To boot, they are fierce in temperament, rather cunning and certainly opportunistic: If you’ve seen weasels or another member of the mustelid family around, it’s likely that they were attracted by rodents in the vicinity and decided to make a meal of your chickens. How To Know If A Weasel AttackedUnlike predators that take one bird at a time, weasels tend to kill or injure several birds during one attack, if not the whole flock. They also prefer to suck the blood of the prey animal, rather than consume large amounts of flesh. A mustelid may be the culprit if you see some of the following after an attack:
Defend Your Flock Against WeaselsWeasels are unique among predators because of their small size, strength and tenacity, and they’ll find your weak links, especially if you don’t know where they exist. So, with that in mind, protect your flock from mustelid hunters as best you can by doing the following:
It’s easy to cut corners when building a coop or take a manufacturer’s safety specifications at their word. But you can never be too cautious if you know mustelids live in your region, or if you’ve seen them before—especially if you’ve seen them before! Your flock’s coop should stop weasels at their point of entry by having secure corners and gaps and using fencing or mesh in the appropriate size. What exactly does that look like? Enclose any opening larger than a quarter with 1/2-inch hardware cloth. This includes gaps between boards, and around windows and doors. Use this same hardware cloth mesh to line windows and permanent runs where birds spend much of their time. Bury fencing around the coop or run at least 12 inches into the ground around the perimeter, or, fan out the mesh in an L-shape around the enclosure. Because hardware cloth is rather expensive compared to other fencing options, use chicken wire or another thinner mesh for daytime fencing and burying. Even with all of these precautions, however, it’s always very important to lock your birds up securely in their coop each evening at dusk: Mustelids are most likely to attack after the sun has set. You should also frequently remove any food scraps and extra feed, because these can attract rodents, which will subsequently attract weasels. Weasels are great at offering an incentive to keep a clean coop! Once in the habit, it’s easy to keep your flock’s living area clean and tidy. Store feed in predator-safe containers. I like to use large galvanized steel trash cans with a secure lid. You can even use a bungee cord to strap the lid on tightly. Keep the coop clean from trash, feed bags and food scraps to reduce or eliminate the rodent population. If you can’t seem to beat the rodent problem, remember that a mouser cat is a great addition to any homestead! Finally, if your coop is close to your home, you’re in luck: Weasels and their family like to keep a healthy distance from humans, so they’ll be cautious around the normal noise and light pollution we emit. Knowing the ins and outs of weasel behavior and what keeps them away can arm any chicken keeper with the tools needed to defend the coop and protect the flock. Thankfully, it’s not terribly difficult or expensive. And a well-armed and informed chicken keeper can still think mustelids are cute—from a distance. How do you protect chickens from weasels?Securing your coop and run is vital in keeping your chickens safe from weasels. Remember, chicken wire is only good for keeping chickens in. It's not suitable for keeping predators out. Instead, use hardwire cloth to secure any weak spots, including windows, any cracks, and the edges of the coop.
How do weasels kill?The method that weasels use to kill their prey is to bite the back of the neck of the animal. The long teeth penetrate the neck with only two bites. This signature method of killing led to the myth of blood-sucking.
Where do weasels eat chickens?These predators sometimes raid poultry coops with easy entry. Once inside, weasels may eat chickens, chicks, or eggs. In fact, they sometimes hunt more prey than they can consume at once, so weasels may store extra food near their dens. This separates them from raccoons, which tend to leave uneaten chickens in coops.
Do weasels eat chickens blood?They also prefer to suck the blood of the prey animal, rather than consume large amounts of flesh. A mustelid may be the culprit if you see some of the following after an attack: chickens killed and collected in small piles (weasel, mink)
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How do you know when a weasel is going to kill a chicken?
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