decoying mad Posted June 13, 2011 Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 right for the last 3 mornings i have gone in my hen shed to find one of my chicks eaten all that is left is feet and 1 wing when i say chicks they are the same size as a partridge now. as to what is doing this i am not sure what do you guys think would do this ? i have found 2 entry holes 1 large ish and the other is small. i no there is rats on my alotment but i have never had trouble before with them taking youn birds. only other thing i can think of is a mink as we are at the side of a stream or stote/ weasel any ideas gents as im getting rather peed off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted June 13, 2011 Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 The entry holes one large one small, how big are we talking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
decoying mad Posted June 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 The entry holes one large one small, how big are we talking? one is in the floor about 4 inch square and the other is about 2 inch wide rat size Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEREALTHRILLER Posted June 13, 2011 Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 I think if it was a mink all your hens would've been killed - get the holes boarded up asap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
decoying mad Posted June 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 I think if it was a mink all your hens would've been killed - get the holes boarded up asap im going to do that mate just need to get rid other wise it will be back what ever it is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted June 13, 2011 Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 Where there no bodies left just the legs. If so could the birds be pulled through the bigger hole or eaten inside the run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
decoying mad Posted June 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 Where there no bodies left just the legs. If so could the birds be pulled through the bigger hole or eaten inside the run. two were eaten in the pen and the 3rd all i found was its legs outside the pen. going to spend a few hours at dusk with the lamp see if i can spot/ shoot what ever it is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proTOM1 Posted June 13, 2011 Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 Now then mate i would say stoat or rat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
decoying mad Posted June 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 cheers tom wasnt sure if a rat would take them with them been a decent size Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted June 13, 2011 Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 Quite a few who could be guilty here. Rat, stoat, mink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted June 13, 2011 Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 Fox, 4" is plenty for them to get in and as there is little left I would say it wouldn`t be rats or mustelids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asa Bear Posted June 13, 2011 Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 Now don't laugh but have you considered hedgehogs? My cousin caught a hedgehog eating one of her chicks from the leg up. They will latch on and eat the lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
decoying mad Posted June 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 Fox, 4" is plenty for them to get in and as there is little left I would say it wouldn`t be rats or mustelids. fox would just do the lot in in one night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maidment78 Posted June 13, 2011 Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 I doubt fox, we have had a few fox kills in the past and it is like a slaughter house and nothing is left, I would put money on a stoat. Do you have anyone with a trap you could leave by the existing hole? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
decoying mad Posted June 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 I doubt fox, we have had a few fox kills in the past and it is like a slaughter house and nothing is left, I would put money on a stoat. Do you have anyone with a trap you could leave by the existing hole? am sure i can get one going to try and shoot what ever it is this evening Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascal_2005 Posted June 13, 2011 Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 TRY A SNARE? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maidment78 Posted June 13, 2011 Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 Forgot to mention a live trap not leathal, Chicken, well all poults are dumb really, would be a shame to get it wrong. But if your there with a gun then all the better, let us know how you get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo33 Posted June 13, 2011 Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 RATS!!!! I lost 4 goslings a week old when I was a kid and they are much bigger than chicks. Fenn trap in a tunnel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted June 13, 2011 Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 fox would just do the lot in in one night So would a stoat/mink/ferret. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyp Posted June 13, 2011 Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 I vote rat... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asa Bear Posted June 14, 2011 Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 Did you catch the culprit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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