Author Topic: Mink (Read 3163 times)

in the hills · « **on:** September 05, 2017, 01:48:46 pm »

We thought we spotted what might be a mink a few weeks ago. It was dusk and we didn't get a good look.
A neighbour called at the weekend to say that she had seen one sitting on a neighbours lawn just down the lane from us and very near to our possible sighting.
I don't know much about them. The brook runs along our boundary.

How much of a risk are they to our free ranging poultry?
Do they hunt in the day?
Do they attack cats?

Anke · « **Reply #1 on:** September 05, 2017, 02:41:16 pm »

Definitely serious risk to your poultry, they are also very good at getting over fences, I have seen them out in the day, so I think they are active and hunting (but we have - touch wood - not lost any poultry to mink), no idea if they attack cats.

I would have a chat with a local gamekeeper, maybe they could set a trap?

Sbom · « **Reply #2 on:** September 05, 2017, 03:25:36 pm »

We had a batch released by do gooders from a mink farm a few years ago.....

They followed the river and a few found their way into the brooding sheds ( during my lunch hour) where I was working. Carnage, would be an accurate description

. Must have been a hundred dead, part grown turkeys, they ate the heads only.

Not sure how wild ones hunt but I'd be concerned $:-\$

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #3 on:** September 05, 2017, 04:25:38 pm »

A neighbour lost all his ducks to them over a couple of days. They hunt in the day and it's very hard to make a run mink-proof unless it's sturdy and on concrete - like stoats and weasels they'll get through a hole less than half the size of a closed fist.

in the hills · « **Reply #4 on:** September 06, 2017, 11:06:00 am »

Mmmmm, thanks all.

Somehow feared this would be the case. Not a lot I can do then really. Lots of gamekeepers around so guessing mink won't be popular with them.

Have small strong wire on most runs but can't put them on concrete so they may as well carry on free ranging.

Fingers crossed that they prefer pheasant poults.

Jukes Mum · « **Reply #5 on:** September 06, 2017, 11:13:53 am »

Live catch traps are not too expensive and if you can find a well used run/track, they are very effective.

DavidandCollette · « **Reply #6 on:** September 06, 2017, 01:29:01 pm »

I bought a link trap after losing some stock. Baited it with a bit of smelly fish. Caught a podcast! Never seen one before

landroverroy · « **Reply #7 on:** September 06, 2017, 01:35:58 pm »

Quote from: DavidandCollette on September 06, 2017, 01:29:01 pm

I bought a link trap after losing some stock. Baited it with a bit of smelly fish. Caught a podcast! Never seen one before

Caught a what??

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #8 on:** September 07, 2017, 01:06:42 pm »

I suspect it's a Lesser Spotted Autocorrect. If, however, it was a polecat, it'd be one of the most vicious predators of all - even our farm dogs wouldn't tackle the one they cornered.