[vichope74]

Hello, we are moving to our new Highland home just after Christmas and will be getting some chickens once settled.  I have been warned that Pine Marten's are rife and was wondering if anyone had some tips.  Was planning on getting a house with attached run and then letting birds free range during the day for a couple of hours when I am about.  Do I need to do anything in particular to keep the chickens safe overnight.

[grumpydad]

i dont have any first hand knowledge with pine martens, but as they can climb and dig, would think you need small hole wire dug into the ground, and with a covered roof of wire or plastic, if they hunt during the day, you may need to consider a large run to keep the chucks safe.

[Fredjones]

A Pine marten will hunt in the day especally if it has young, once they find where the food is they will keep comming back till non left.  Weasles, Stoats and ferrets all do the same and will take prey, 3 and 4 times there size, i hope i hav`nt put you off, a fully enclosed run with mesh buried as deep as you can shoulds be ok, don`t forget Martens can climb--------Fred

[vichope74]

Mmmmmm had kinda hoped they were nocturnal.  Oh well, fully enclosed run and a shotgun it is then!

[treacleminer]

Mmmmmm had kinda hoped they were nocturnal.  Oh well, fully enclosed run and a shotgun it is then!

Careful! they are a protected species www.treesforlife.org.uk/tfl.pinemarten.html

hopefully they will have plenty of other prey animals available to them and will leave your chooks alone

[Flowerpower136]

May be the run need mesh walls, roof and floor, though that would be a shame cos it would stop the girls digging.

Can you visit chuck keepers or game keeprs in the vicinity.  They might be able to advise through experience?

[joyfull]

If you sink the weldmesh floor under the ground by about 8 - 12 " then you can put soil back over it. Use a really good heavy duty galvanised weldmesh though as low a number that you can get. You may be better off going to a steel stockholder for this and buy it in panels. Of course you would then need to enlist the help of a welder and they could then make the frame so it is definitely chew proof. It may not look pretty but they would be safe.

[vichope74]

Thanks everyone.  Treacleminer - panic not, I know they are a protected species and was only joking about the shotgun.  Yes I'm going to visit the local woman who has breeds fancy fowl and see what she uses, but all your suggestions were duly noted.

[treacleminer]

Thanks everyone.  Treacleminer - panic not, I know they are a protected species and was only joking about the shotgun.  Yes I'm going to visit the local woman who has breeds fancy fowl and see what she uses, but all your suggestions were duly noted.

 

The article does suggest that they are mainly nocturnal - and hopefully the local chicken keepers will be helpful too.

Hope your move goes well.