[Prod]

Tonight when I went to check the girls were in their coop there was a stoat/weasel that was quite happily running around outside and around the field.  Should I be worried???

[arugula]

They probably won't bother larger bird, but if you have bantams or youngsters they might attack. They might also try to steal eggs.

[Prod]

My girls are mainly purebreds, Cream Legbar, Ancona   that sort of size, plus a Welsummer Cockerel.  Would thay take eggs during the day from the coop as I have posted recently about low number of eggs being found? Though I have not found any evidence of eggshells etc?


UPDATE  I have just been browsing various information sites and the concensus is that, provided they arent taking/killing my hens, (and they are unlikely to attack a fully grown bird) then they could be beneficial as they will reduce/remove any mice or rats (I have never seen any around).  Apparently it is unusual to see a stoat during the day, this was about 5pm this evening and, even after it saw me, it was running around quite close to me.  Im really not sure what to do now.  I was about to order some traps (humane of course, I couldnt kill them) but am not sure now.....  Any suggestions?  Thanks

[arugula]

Well if you purchase a humane trap such as this



how and where will you plan to release any you catch? You can't just release them anywhere... A pest controller might be a better option.

[Prod]

Thanks for your reply I dont see the point of a humane trap if you are not going to release them.  I live in an extremely rural location so, if I did use such a trap, I would just take them a couple of miles away and release them in another field.

At the moment I am trying to evaluate if they are something I should be worried about as I have read conflicting advice.....

[arugula]

Thanks for your reply I dont see the point of a humane trap if you are not going to release them.  I live in an extremely rural location so, if I did use such a trap, I would just take them a couple of miles away and release them in another field.

I totally agree, my circumstances are similar, but just be aware of the law on that sort of matter, I'm not sure off the top of my head which animals you would not be allowed to release.

[Prod]

I bought & put out a couple of 'Big Cheese'  traps (got a good deal on Ebay - 2 for price of 1)  Put them out with some dog food in............   caught a Dunnock!!!!  God knows why it went in  but was happy enough when I let it go....  I ll set them again tonight