Posted by Georgia Kohart on September 11, 2005

Q: I saw a mink in our barn yesterday, which explains the horrible loss of poultry we have been experiencing the past few weeks. I don't want to have this animal killed (we would have to call someone in as we don't trap or hunt) yet I a losing chickens and ducks on an almost nightly basis. Help!

Habitat: field/meadow

State: Ohio

Habitat: field/meadow

A: This is a real dilema, if one wants to enjoy wildlife and also have farm animals we often learn that the two don't always coexist well!

Mink can be especially aggressive animals at getting to farm animals and as you've found out, will return again and again when they find an "easy meal". First off, I'd try to determine where your mink is getting in to the animals and see if you can block entrance. If that's not possible, you may be able to place a livetrap nearby with some nice meat or fish as bait. Unfortunately, the mink will probably not enter the trap if there is easy access to the birds. However, if you can remove the birds for a few days, place the trap where the birds were, then you may be able to capture your animal. If you're able to catch it, you'll need to release it many miles from your home or it will return. If you release it near a stream or lake (they like areas with water) it will be able to establish its territory there and probably leave you alone from then on.

Good luck and thanks for asking.

John Wiessinger ( September 12, 2005)