how high can a stoat jump?

[VM]

There is a stoat (or possibly feral ferret, but we think stoat) at the allotment site where we keep our chickens - it has recently killed a neighbour's hens.

Our run is designed to be fox-proof with wire fencing sunk into ground and a roof; and up til now the hens have put themselves to bed and not been shut in the hen house. But I can see that a stoat could get in as they are small enough to get though the gaps in the wire fencing.

So we've started going down to shut them at night and let them out in the morning, but it's not easy to do this long-term.

I know stoats can climb and dig - but what I want to know is whether they can jump as high as a chicken! Our hens get into the hen house by jumping onto a big log and then into the house (we took the ramp away to discourage rats from living in the house). It's when they are in the house at night/early morning that I'm most worried about. If a stoat came in to the run in the daytime it might get one or two hens but there are several high perches for them to fly up to, so don't think it would be all-out massacre as with our friend's chickens who were in a more limited space.

But perhaps I'm being naively optimistic!

Any thoughts on stoats jumping capabilities anyone??

[chilitony]

depends how hard you kick it

[oldjerry]

Stoats or ferrets will not kill all your hens in one go, as they dont kill for fun,like a fox.Reinforce the run with a line of rabbit netting from ground level,and they will hopefully bugger off and find an easier meal somewhere else. Good luck.

[VM]

This one did kill three out of four chickens in one go - in our friend's run. We are sure it was a stoat (or ferret) as someone has seen it and also there was no way for a fox to get into the run - the tunnel into the run may have been made by rats originally, but definitely nothing big enough for a fox to get through. All the birds were there, not taken away.

I think I've heard that mink will kill lots at once, but we're not near water and this thing seems stoat-sized not bigger.

Will they kill lots at once if in an enclosed space?

Thanks re: rabbit netting suggestion.

[oldjerry]

Well VM,I may be wrong,but Ireally would be surprised if it was a stoat or weasel.They are pretty nervous of humans,if someone was close enough to see it,I think they would scarper(don't know if that makes sense,what I'm trying to say is you dont see them often as they are wary of humans).Minks are MUCH more likely,you dont need to be near a river,they will travel through drains,ditches etc. and quite a way across land,and they will kill for the hell of it.To avoid rat holes bury the rabbit wire 9'',and turn up the bottom3-4''(L-shaped) should keep them thinking(if you havent got a killer cat,an air rifle is good),it's worth keeping rats down,they disturb the hens,and need controlling.Best Wishes.

[Mrs H]

Sounds like a Mink. We had them in Surrey and they tended to hunt in packs, they had a go at our turkeys when they were young, one went in and chased them out to the others waiting. You need to treat them like miniature foxes. I keep ferrets they can't jump very high but they r very talented climbers and can fit threw tiny gaps however they rarely try and climb anything that isn't stable.
If your fencing is sunk into the ground I would try and run a roll of electric netting round the pen, its unlikely they would dig in at this time of the year.
The electric net worked with our turkeys.
The other thing to remember is how long they are!! Although they can't jump they can stretch themselves right out to climb!! Very talented little creatures!
Failing that as OJ says an air rifle will sort it right out. Good luck! Xx

[fumanchu]

A ferret will do this , they can go a bit beserk like foxes, and a ferret can get in anywhere. You will need to catch/kill it I think, be easier in the long run. Sit upwind as they have good noses but poor eyesight.

[Goatwhisperer]

I watched a Stoat jump about 5 foot into a hole in a stack of bales just last week, it failed on the first attempt backed off had another go and made it.
The best thing is to shut the chickens in, you can get automatic battery operated doors that open and shut on a light sensor if you are unable to visit to shut them in.

[VM]

Been away from forum for a bit so only just read last few replies. It's an escaped ferret, pretty sure now. We've seen it several times and it's definitely not in a pack and it doesn't look quite big enough for a mink. Cute little thing and not frightened of people, but not cute enough for me to want it to have all my chickens. So far sinking smaller mesh netting into ground, keeping an eye out for rat holes and shutting chickens in at night have stopped any further losses, but it is a lot of work. Neither partner nor self any good with air rifle unfortunately. Had one go at trapping it but think trap too small and it was able to get bait without getting stuck in trap. It's not been seen around our bit of the site for a week or so, but presumably will be back. I wonder if it is going to survive the winter - been living down there for a while we think, but food will have been easier in summer.

thanks for various advice and suggestions!

[fumanchu]

Why not leave food out nearer the house and a wee cosy box with straw in ? Sooner or later it will go in there and be grateful for it. Ferrets dont really enjoy being wild for too long. And you'll always find somebody glad to take it off your hands.

[Mrs H]

Poor little ferret, I agree with above post, an enclosed bed filled with straw will encourage it in especially in this cold weather just be careful you don't get bitten!! Minks r black ferrets, what colour is it? Somebody has probably let it go because they don't want it any longer. Its sad. Ferrets make the best pets when looked after properly. Goodluck. Xx

[VM]

It's still not around at present. I appreciate suggestions about trying to catch it but I have thought about this and really not sure what we would do with it or how long we could keep it once we had caught it. I don't want a pet ferret and don't know anyone who does and have checked with RSPCA locally who don't rehome ferrets. They don't have it registered as missing so yes, probably someone dumped it or let it out. Anyway, as I say, it's not been seen for a couple of weeks now, so may have moved on, though expect will turn up again unless has not survived this cold weather. The allotment site is very big, so it's hard to know where to look for it when it isn't obviously around.

It's dark grey, nearly black in colour.