predators

**Suechooks** · 24-08-2010, 07:51 AM

You could contact your local hunt/gamekeeper/water bailiff as mink are a real menace to any small stock. They might be able to trap it/them for you. They're not indiginous and are the result of misguided folk releasing them - BTW I DON'T agree with mink farming its as bad as battery farming but that's another issue!
Welcome to the Vine and sorry your first post has been on such a sad subject. Poor Gladys.

**elizajay** · 24-08-2010, 07:58 AM

Poor Gladys, how horrible I gave a friend some chicks and the cockerel was taken by a stoat that bored a hole through the wood of the hutch.

**Glutton4...** · 24-08-2010, 08:04 AM

Sorry to hear your news. I hope your other Hens are safe and not too traumatized.

**Nicos** · 24-08-2010, 08:13 AM

Hi there- and welcome to the Vine!

( could I ask you to pop your rough location into your profie?- you'll find it helps with future replies

)

Mink are an invasive species- and are in competition with our own natural species- it would be the 'right thing' environmntally to report them so they can be 'flushed out'

Having said that- I imagine they could squeeze through chicken wire- or easiy climb over it???..maybe there are a few ferret owners on the Vine who could advise on that???

We have an electric fence with fine mesh to prevent rats etc getting throgh- that may help you in your situation??
What sort of size are you talking about for your run???

**Hilary B** · 26-08-2010, 01:25 PM

Mink are quite big, but long and slender. Chain-link mesh it would be borderline whether they could get through or not. They are very bold, and the right thing to do is get it trapped and removed.
We have 2 species in Britain which are here purely because of releases after fur-farming. Coypu are (I understand) a more local nuisance, and were often released because the fur was never worth as much as the farmers were led to expect. Mink are a menace to so much of our wildlife, and were released by people whose enthusiasm for Animal Rights didn't include thinking through the consequences.....

**Mrs T** · 28-08-2010, 12:38 PM

Thank you thank you to everyone who has replied... such a brilliant source of information, support and encouragement..
Our run is about 20 square mitres... since posting we have further secured the area as advised and have been carefully monitoring for predators - happy to report the coast looks clear . . .
We just need to do a couple more bits then we'll be able to open it up for the girls again - it's been rubbish having them inside all the time, although they do have a spacious area (they have an old, semi converted greenhouse with a large nesting box and a home made perch) it will be good to have them out and about again... and hopefully laying again soon..
Thank you all again and I look forward to catching up with more positive news in the future..
BTW - I hope I'm doing this right??? in terms of posting and all??!!!

**Nicos** · 28-08-2010, 12:42 PM

Originally posted by Mrs T View Post

BTW - I hope I'm doing this right??? in terms of posting and all??!!!

Yup- brill!

Glad you're getting the chook run sorted...they'll love it!

**Mrs T** · 28-08-2010, 12:49 PM

Have put my location in... Bury Lancashire 'up-north'!!! England (just noticed you're in France, bet it's warmer there!)

Thanks again

**Nicos** · 28-08-2010, 12:58 PM

Ha!...well it's 19C at the moment...and looks like rain later.
Had to light my wood fire to warm the house through a bit. Autumn is certainly on it's way!

Bury??...used to love going to the market there- superb

( lived in N Cheshire a while ago)

**Mrs T** · 28-08-2010, 01:05 PM

Ahhh Bury's FAMOUS market!!!

Am jealous re your 19C - struggling at 14C here at the moment (Booohooo) and LOTS of rain...

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