Got chickens? Then you know protecting them from harm is vital. Sure, big animals like foxes can be a danger. But what about smaller ones, like weasels?.
Well help you understand weasels better, how they hunt, and what you can do to keep your chickens safe.
Weasels are sneaky animals that can do a lot of damage to a flock of chickens. Because they are thin, they can get into chicken coops through the smallest gaps. Once they get inside, their strong jaws and sharp teeth kill chickens quickly. But how exactly does a weasel kill a chicken? Take a look at what they do.
The Weasel’s Anatomy
Weasels have long tubular bodies with short legs. This shape lets them chase prey into burrows and other small spaces. Their heads are shaped like triangles, and their jaws are strong, with sharp, pointed teeth. In the animal kingdom, weasels have one of the strongest bites for their size.
The long-tailed weasel is the species most likely to raid a chicken coop. It measures 11-16 inches long from head to tail tip. Males are larger than females. They have brown fur with a white belly and black-tipped tail. In winter they molt into all white fur.
Hunting Behavior
Weasels are ferocious hunters. They mostly eat small mammals like chipmunks, mice, and voles. They will also eat eggs, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. Weasels are mostly nocturnal and solitary.
A weasel’s hunting technique is stealthy pursuit followed by a rapid attack. Their slender build allows them to sneak through tunnels and underbrush after prey. Once in striking distance, they pounce with lightning speed.
Weasels kill their prey by biting them in the neck or base of the skull. Their sharp teeth can easily pierce the spinal cord or jugular vein. When someone bites, they break bones or cut off connections between the brain and body. Death occurs within seconds.
Why Weasels Attack Chickens
Weasels resort to killing chickens when their preferred prey becomes scarce. A female weasel with a litter of kits to feed will take down chickens out of desperation.
Once inside a chicken coop, the weasel’s strong hunting instinct takes over. The noise, movement, and scent of chickens triggers an irrepressible urge to chase and kill. A weasel may massacre an entire flock in one night.
Weasels don’t actually eat much of their chicken prey. They usually just drink the blood and eat the head. Surplus killings are cached around the coop for future meals. This gives the false impression of senseless slaughter.
The Attack
A weasel sneaks into a chicken coop at night when the birds are sleeping. Chickens are vulnerable while roosting since they don’t detect the initial entry.
Hearing the soft footfalls or smelling the unfamiliar scent, the chickens become agitated. Their nervous squawks and fluttering sets off the weasel’s predatory drive.
The weasel springs at the nearest chicken and delivers a lethal bite to the neck or head. It then rapidly attacks each frantic bird in turn. Within minutes, the entire flock succumbs to the frenzied assault.
Any chickens missed in the initial massacre fall victim when the weasel returns to feed over subsequent nights. One weasel can decimate a flock of a dozen or more chickens.
Preventing Weasel Attacks
Fortifying coops is the best defense against weasels. Eliminate any openings larger than 1/2 inch. Bury hardware cloth around the base to prevent digging. Set traps immediately at the first sign of attack.
Installing motion-activated lights and game cameras can help deter recurring attacks. Getting a guard dog that patrols the coop at night adds another layer of protection.
Weasels may be small, but they can inflict huge losses on backyard flocks. Their lightning-quick and lethal attacks explain why a weasel can massacre a chicken coop before the farmer is any the wiser. Taking preventative measures will help protect chickens from becoming weasel prey.
Change Feeding Schedules
Weasels tend to hunt during the early morning hours or at dusk. Changing feeding schedules to daylight hours can minimize the risk of weasel attacks.
Are Weasels a Chicken Predator?
Weasels might look harmless. But dont let their small size fool you. These little animals can be a big problem for your chickens.
Weasels have long and thin bodies, making it easy to sneak into chicken coops and nests. Their sharp teeth and claws also make them great hunters.
But are they dangerous to chickens? The answer is yes. Weasels are night creatures and love hunting when its dark. So, if your chicken coop is not well-protected, weasels can be a real problem.
Amazing weasel eating chicken monitoring.
FAQ
Do weasels drink the blood of chickens?
Dead chickens with blood around their heads and/or necks are the tell-tale signs of an attack by a mink or weasel. These are high-strung animals who prefer to kill at the throat and drink blood from the neck. Weasels also enjoy dining on chicken entrails.
How small a hole can a weasel get through?
A weasel can squeeze through a surprisingly small hole, often as small as one inch in diameter. Backyard Poultry says they can even get through holes as small as a quarter (7/8 inch). According to Critter Control, they can fit through any hole larger than one inch.
How do you tell what killed my chickens?
Hen carcasses that are missing heads or sections of their necks are trademark signs of owls and raccoons. Rats will bite a hen several times, and after the hen is dead, they may only leave gnaw marks or missing pieces of flesh. Finally, many dogs kill for sport – it’s part of their nature.
What does a weasel hole look like?
A weasel hole is typically a small, round burrow, often found in or near other animals’ abandoned tunnels, such as those of chipmunks, ground squirrels, or woodchucks. They are usually located in areas with tall grass, thick undergrowth, or near structures like sheds or foundations.