The weasel is dead … and so is a rat … and a few mice!
My husband has been going out each morning to check the chickens (ie. tally up the dead) and the traps. We’ve caught a few mice, harmless enough to chickens, but had no success with catching the main culprit.
Yesterday, the traps were baited with leftovers from chicken harvest (liver, etc.) The darn weasel made my husband livid! It took the bait, but didn’t set off the trap.
Today, however, was a different story. Upon entering, he was relieved to see no dead chickens. Then, he saw the dead rat. But, knew that the rat, although a potential predator, was not the animal we were after. (I, however, am glad to be rid of the rat!).
Under the straw, under the wire installed yesterday, he saw movement. The darn weasel had gotten caught in a trap, but had managed to get the trap free of it’s tie-down and was trying to get back to it’s lair.
It’s dead now. We are relieved, and we hope the chickens are safe for the rest of the winter. Eric plans to leave a few traps in the lean-to/barn just in case there is another rat, but we are done with the weasel.
I’d have taken a picture of the weasel, their fur at this time of year is just beautiful, but didn’t think any of you would appreciate pics of dead animals. And, boy do they smell! I hope Eric used old gloves to handle the beast.
I grew up on a farm. Probably seen every dead animal you can imagine.
ReplyDeleteMy dad owns a game farm and we all go "rat hunting"...so red neck I know.
We chase the rats out and the kids kill them with sticks.
That is life. Eat or be eaten.
Glad you got that bad weasel.