Mink Killing Hens in SAC Area - Help Please

NatureGirl · 07-10-2018 08:02PM #1

I've been searching the net for advice on live trapping mink, but have got only bits and pieces, most applying to the US, not Ireland.

I have a mink killing my chickens, at night and in the middle of the day whilst I am in the garden making noise ! It is not shy at all and I was even able to snap a photo of it whilst it was staring at me grrrr

It first arrived 2 nights ago

I need to get rid of it very fast, for the sake of the rest of my chickens and the birds etc around the place. I assume it won't go for my pet cats ?

I have a mid sized live catch 'rat cage' for multiple rats, but I'm thinking it's not big enough maybe ? Although the mink looks pretty small...and could defo fit in it if it wanted to. I am using tinned tuna and cooked leftover chicken in it. I have placed it next to the tunnel it dug to get into one of my hens it killed. I left the chicken body there so it keeps coming back to try and get the hen out of the pen lol The hen is way to fat to fit through it's tunnel. Anyway, I'm hoping it comes back and eventually goes into the trap.

I haven't disguised the trap at all. Should I ? I

I am truly expecting to wake up tomorrow to find the rest of my hens and my cockerel killed even though I have tried my best to fortify their sleeping houses.

I'm intending to contact the NPWS early tomorrow morning, to see what they are do, as I live on a SAC area and the mink is obviously ravaging the wildfowl I'd guess !

Any help would be wonderful please, anyone

Amanda (between Gort and Kinvara, Clare-Galway border).

Richard308 · 07-10-2018 11:04PM

You can buy a mink trap from Maceoin’s in ballydavid Tralee. Put fish head in it. Trap and then kill it. Not protected animal

NatureGirl wrote: »

I've been searching the net for advice on live trapping mink, but have got only bits and pieces, most applying to the US, not Ireland.

I have a mink killing my chickens, at night and in the middle of the day whilst I am in the garden making noise ! It is not shy at all and I was even able to snap a photo of it whilst it was staring at me grrrr

It first arrived 2 nights ago

I need to get rid of it very fast, for the sake of the rest of my chickens and the birds etc around the place. I assume it won't go for my pet cats ?

I have a mid sized live catch 'rat cage' for multiple rats, but I'm thinking it's not big enough maybe ? Although the mink looks pretty small...and could defo fit in it if it wanted to. I am using tinned tuna and cooked leftover chicken in it. I have placed it next to the tunnel it dug to get into one of my hens it killed. I left the chicken body there so it keeps coming back to try and get the hen out of the pen lol The hen is way to fat to fit through it's tunnel. Anyway, I'm hoping it comes back and eventually goes into the trap.

I haven't disguised the trap at all. Should I ? I

I am truly expecting to wake up tomorrow to find the rest of my hens and my cockerel killed even though I have tried my best to fortify their sleeping houses.

I'm intending to contact the NPWS early tomorrow morning, to see what they are do, as I live on a SAC area and the mink is obviously ravaging the wildfowl I'd guess !

Any help would be wonderful please, anyone

Amanda (between Gort and Kinvara, Clare-Galway border).

Grizzly 45 · 08-10-2018 12:40PM

Living in a SAC area should make no difference as [1] It is killing your domestic fowl and [2] Mink aint protected here under the Wildlife acts.
So have at it.

Czhornet · 08-10-2018 01:30PM

Leave something heavy on top to stabilise it, (a mink will be reluctant to go into it if it moves under his feet) and be careful that it doesn't interfere with the closing mechanism!
I try to cover mine, even if it is with twigs and loose leafy material, can be very inviting to an inquisitive mink to go in for a look when they cant see the cage/bars in front of them.

PM if you need further help!

Brontosaurus · 10-10-2018 03:38PM

I'd contact the NPWS first, and make very sure it's a Mink and not a Pine Marten. Pine Marten are protected. I don't mean to sound condescending, but I've heard and seen people confuse the two a lot despite looking very different.

It would help at least getting good picture or video of it.

aaakev · 10-10-2018 05:42PM

Brontosaurus wrote: »

I'd contact the NPWS first, and make very sure it's a Mink and not a Pine Marten. Pine Marten are protected. I don't mean to sound condescending, but I've heard and seen people confuse the two a lot despite looking very different.

It would help at least getting good picture or video of it.

Op said they took a picture so no need to call npws, just stick the picture up here!

NatureGirl · 16-02-2023 02:07PM

By the way, I have ended up not keeping chickens because of the continuous problem of predators around here. I could not let them free range, and keeping them in small ish runs was not good.

Birdnuts · 16-02-2023 04:16PM

On the SAC's near me in North Mayo, NPWS r employing trappers to do work seasonally on mink. Might be worth inquiring if they can do something similar where you are

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Mink Killing Hens in SAC Area - Help Please

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