Mink attack!

[Earthdog]

Yesterday when I went to let out my cream legbars I found them all dead which was a shock. When I looked closely I could see that 'something' had squeezed in through a very shallow gap under the ark. This morning, when I opened the pophole of another ark and waited for my light sussex to come out- nothing. I stuck my head in the house and was met by a big fat startled liver chestnut MINK next to the dead sussex. I slammed the door shut and fetched my gun, but by the time I got back it had escaped through a small hole that it had chewed through the wooden floor! Concerned that it would come back, I left my other chucks free range so that they could escape, but that damned thing returned before I got back from work and has had another two :-( I really dont think there is anywhere that is mink proof as they squeeze and gnaw so I guess my only option is a trap...anyone else had this?

Wire underneath the run as well?? No other idea I'm sorry but I really hope you get it sorted.

Try a trap. they usually disable their prey and leave it alive to come back and eat so will keep coming back to you until everything has gone. the long tunnel trap can go inside an ark, cover it with leaves, old wood, roof sheeting etc but use gloves when you do it so your smell isnt on it. trap it and then shoot it - its the only way. Mink will chew through wood and can squeeze through tiny holes once they know you have food you have to deal with it or move all your chickens away until they have gone. For the future, you should put wire underneath all of your runs - stops foxes digging in, rats getting at food etc

Thank you for the replies. I have kept chickens for many moons and they have always been safe in their arks previously; but yes, I will have to rethink and add wire now. Though that doesn't stop the mink chewing in through the wooden sides I guess.. :-/
This mink killed all the chucks instantly by a bite through the back of the neck. Somewhere, I have a larsen trap and a couple of rat traps so I will see if they will do the job and if not buy a proper trap. I shall happily put some lead in the horrible, stinky, verminous thing. Thanks again.

And this is why minks should be jackets - they are bastards. I lost 9 chooks over 2 days to the bloody things - yes wire and traps are the only thing you can do really. So sorry for you though it is horrible to find them all dead and they don't even have decency to cart them off like foxes half the time.

Hear hear re; the mink jacket!! Sorry to hear about your chucks pinky.

A jacket is too good for em!! The best trap looks like a wire mesh tunnel. you put the bait in the middle (fresh meat or one of your dead birds if you can bear to do it) the spring will pop whichever end they enter from. good luck