Intruder in hen run

[AftonShepherd]

So, a couple of nights back something tried to get into our hen coop

It's only pallet wood so can't think it would have stopped a fox or a mink. Have had a few rats about but chewed up to 18 inches off the ground and I'm pretty sure I'm getting on top of them with poison as well.

Just found these droppings too which look too big and light for any rat I've seen before but not sure what they are.

Trying to set a cage trap in limited space, trying to avoid setting anything more lethal if at all possible due to a new, and very adventurous, kitten.

Any suggestions as to what we're dealing with?

 

[spin cycle]

rat defo IMO

 

[AftonShepherd]

rat defo IMO

Certainly possible. Droppings bigger and lighter than I'm used to seeing though so thought I'd ask

 

[DanM]

Certainly possible. Droppings bigger and lighter than I'm used to seeing though so thought I'd ask

Squirrel is the other option

 

[Humble Village Farmer]

Squirrel poo is shorter and rounder

 

[JD6920s]

Stoat, weasel or polecat possibly ??

 

[Lincoln75]

Rat.

 

[Lincoln75]

Stoat, weasel or polecat possibly ??

Doubt it , they would kill the poultry, a rat wont usually.

 

[Agrivator]

Squirrel is the other option

A squirrel is too small to shiit a 50p piece.

It could be a badger, although I'm not an expert on badger shhiit.

 

[AftonShepherd]

Thanks all, I'll keep at it with traps and poison.

 

[Lincs Lass]

Big gnaw marks ,,looks more a beaver has been nagging it ,,any in the area

 

[AftonShepherd]

Big knaw marks ,,looks more a beaver has been nagging it ,,any in the area

Not that I know of, photo is well zoomed in lol. Only pallet wood.

 

[muleman]

Polecat/mink

 

[Lincs Lass]

A rat wouldnt stretch up that high ,,they would chew away at the bottom ,,not a badger,too rounded ,,teeth marks suggests something with prominent front teeth, not canines

 

[Cowmansam]

Big rat

 

[willie waver]

how big are some of your rats? any i've seen here would get in the gap without needing to chew

 

[JSmith]

I’ve known a rat kill broody bantams after they’ve taken the eggs/chicks one by one,you get a big one they’re barstewards!! I’d say that’s a rat

 

[AftonShepherd]

Found a run in the long grass next to pen and set a cage trap so fingers crossed I can update this soon!

 

[serf]

Thought you got vermin about that poops 50p pieces for min .....

Your onto a winner

 

[Jonp]

Badger...they eat chickens and have claws that can rip through pallets. Wildlife camera would expose the culprit.