PPHA Forums
Predator Hunting => Varmint Hunting => Topic started by: muttbuster on June 29, 2009, 03:29:07 PM
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A friend of mine is loosing chickens and an occasional duck at an alarming rate. She found 6 chickens dead and one duck. The chickens were penned but there was a small opening for something to get in. She set a cage trap and the animal ate the chicken bait threw the cage wire mesh. What does this sound like to you?
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Sounds like a weasel
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What size cage trap did she set and how big of a hole was there ?
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If she can get a closed box trap used for trapping nuisance skunks.
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Mice & Rats will eat/nibble on bait in box traps.
Sounds like a Weasel (or Mink).
It's very hard to catch a Weasel in a Hen House with box traps. They are focused on fresh, live chickens and their natural behavior to kill prey takes over.
As far as killing more than one chicken, in hen house...
I offen heard about this over the years and witnessed once.
I only have my opinion and oberservation... There are many chickens running, flopping, flying, clucking so much confusion and mayhem, I think the Weasel makes a kill, then see another easy kill and another and another and another.
I saw this same behavior from a Red Fox in a hen house. Killed 11 took 5 on two trips.
Maybe predators get caught in the monment when they have the chance, maybe it's their nature. Someday I may know.
muttbuster, I have better success trapping Weasels at chicken coops with 'blind sets', outside next to wall(s) of coop.
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Thanks guys, what exactly is a blind set? She has one medium and and small cage trap that is made for weasels. She set the traps last night and one was not touched and the other was set off. No weasel. Instead, the weasel killed her duck. Now she's crying. She lost 18 chickens and three pet ducks in the last month.
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She might be inclined to let ya try some night time hunt'n with a .22 or a .17. ;D
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If she can't trap it this week I may go and hunt all night this Friday. 223 wssm will be sure to stop it in it's tracks. It's close to Mountaineer. Want to go George?
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Might take 2 shots, them weasels get pretty big!!!
Try a rat trap set on a likely path to the chickens, no bait( thats a "blind" set)
maybe lean a board or something over the trap to create a tunnel that only weasel can get through.
That will eliminate the chance af something else getting in it
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Thanks Bob, I'll tell her to give it a try. How big does a male long tail weasel get?
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3 maybe 400 pounds, given the proper diet
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your butt is 3 to 400 pounds. Ha Ha
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;D
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Tell your sister to leave some orange sauce out for the weasle
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A blind set is a trap placed (hidden) in the travelway of an animal. At times, guide sticks are used. No bait or lure is used. You are taking advantage of a critters nature travelway and your ability to conceal trap naturally. Nothing is out of place or undisturbed when finished making set. Blind setting can become an art form.
Weasel set at hen house...
next to outside wall
dig small depression to bed trap
Set small foothold trap and fasten to anchor. Make sure trap is bedded solid and doesn't wobble
Place loose jaw against wall so Weasel must go between jaws (not over jaws)
cover trap with sifted dirt, only slight cover or no covering, Weasels aren't trap shy
place board, plywood, tin or such near outside jaw of trap to create a tunnel
*note:
Use trap size #0 to #1 1/2.
Set on hair trigger
Make sure pan is level with jaws or below jaws when foothold trap is in set positon
Loose jaw to wall
Thishere tunnel-blind set will also take pesty barn Rats & Chipmunks
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Thanks Hern, that will be a big help. I'll tell her husband to try it. The Weasel can't win this war! Nuttin better that Weasel Schnitzel.
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Ive been doing nuisance control for the last 8 yrs and it sounds to me like you have a coon getting into the crib. I just finished helping a friend, they were losing ducks and everyone said mink but I new better and set a large cage and caught the big male first nite. The killing stopped after that. Just a hunch unless you have seen the mink or weasel Im saying coon. Good Luck trappin
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Your regular plain jane rat could also be the culprit Ive known them to kill chickens from time to time
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Waterfowler, where do you do the nuisance control work?
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Southeastern Pa and working on getting licensed in Maryland as well
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Are you doing it full time or part time? Hows business?
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What part of SE Pa waterfowler?
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If she can't trap it this week I may go and hunt all night this Friday. 223 wssm will be sure to stop it in it's tracks. It's close to Mountaineer. Want to go George?
Well, what's the story ? Just got home last night. ;D
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George, I couldn't go last Friday cause it was the holiday weekend and she had lots of people at her house. I've been out of town all week so I haven't talked to her. I'll see her on Monday. After that i'll let you know what's up.
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Waterfowler, you win the grand prize. My friend trapped a couple big coons and she has not lost a chicken or a duck since. I've heard about coons killing but I've never seen a coon kill so many. I thank you for the help.
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No problem if you or anybody else has any nuisance animal questions or concerns I would be glad to try to help.
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I truly find this stuff exciting!!!!Not that she lost the chickens but how critters act when they kill....
Hern like your input on leaning the movable jaw against the shed. That is awesome!!!You be the weasel man for sure... Let me know when your doing your next weasel demo?...I would like to attend....