Unfortunately, many house owners have at least once in their life encountered the problem of a deserted chicken coop. Signs are the same: sucked blood, severed heads and gnawed legs. This is the work of a ferret. At first glance, this is a funny animal with a cute and pretty face. But behind this mask is a dangerous predator. He considers it a matter of honor to destroy all the birds in the area.
At the first signs of the appearance of this animal, you must immediately begin to fight it. By taking all appropriate measures, you can prevent a series of further victims. So how to get rid of a ferret? Poultry farmers offer many options to deal with this animal. Use both homemade traps and hunting traps. In addition, there are many other methods of dealing with this predator.
Predator Features
Probably every farmer who breeds poultry at least once encountered the problem of night robberies. The behavior of this predator is always the same: it will not calm down until it destroys all the birds in the chicken coop to the last. Therefore, if at least once the ferret has visited the house, remember - he will definitely return.
Do you have a large variety of birds on the farm? Overwhelmed by so many potential victims, a ferret can even attack a goose. He is unlikely to be able to take such a heavy trophy to the forest, so he often leaves half-eaten carcasses in the chicken coop.
Ferret is a small animal. The body can reach 45 cm in length. But this does not stop him from almost a single go lime a huge amount of poultry. In its actions, this predator resembles affection. Both of these animals live in conditions of carelessness and impunity, because often the owner of the birds will find out after the fact about their atrocities. Therefore, it is important to worry in advance about the safety of poultry and to consider all options for their protection from visits of weasels and ferrets. But if they appeared, you must immediately find a way to get rid of the ferret.
How does the animal act?
How does the ferret attack? This cute animal is quite aggressive. He imperceptibly creeps up to the victim, abruptly jumps and strangles her with his paws. After the ferret regales a trophy. As a dessert, the predator prefers small chickens. But the main part of his diet is chickens.
The ferret’s behavior is described by the proverb: “If I don’t eat it, I bite it.” His greed sometimes reaches the point of absurdity. After all, after the visit of the ferret, you can find many birds dead, but not eaten. Having attacked the bird, the ferret does not touch its head. He gnaws at the bird's throat. Soft tissues decompose quickly. It is impossible to use such a bird in food after the visit of a ferret. To know exactly how to get rid of a ferret, you need to know all the signs of the appearance of this uninvited guest.
Ferret Signs
This predator leads an active lifestyle at night. You can catch him red-handed only in the early morning or at night. The behavior of a bird can indicate the presence of an outsider in the chicken coop if it survived. If, when you enter the chicken coop, the birds do not leave their perches, then you can rest assured that a guest came to them at night. Therefore, immediately you need to think about taking some measures to protect your pets.
Having made his way to the chicken coop and killing at least one chicken, the ferret considers the entire nursery to be property. From this moment, all living creatures are considered to be a strategic reserve for the animal for the future. Of course, you can replace a dead bird, but other birds are in great danger. Therefore, everything must be done in order to decide how to get rid of the ferret forever. After all, this thief will surely find a way to cope with a new bird population.
How to get rid of a ferret in a chicken coop?
The ferret leads a nocturnal lifestyle, so you can try to watch him at this time of day. But this animal is quite agile and dexterous. It is almost impossible to catch him alone. In addition, you should worry not only about the safety of the bird, but also about your own. After all, in defense, this predator can attack a person.
Want to catch a ferret on your own? Then you need to act according to this scheme:
- Seeing a ferret, a heavy cloak or coat is thrown over him.
- The animal is quickly wrapped in tissue and placed in a pre-prepared cage.
It is necessary to get the animal out of the cage with tight gloves so that it does not bite through human tissue and skin. The predator needs to be held tight. If a dexterous predator has bitten you, you need to pinch the animal's nose, while a small wooden stick is inserted between the teeth. Scrolling it, you can open the ferret's jaw, freeing your hand.
What to do next?
How to get rid of a ferret in a chicken coop if it is already caught? As soon as the thief got into the cage, his fate depends on the will of the farmer. But remember that during a fright, a rather unpleasant odor emanates from the animal. The stench glands of the animal exude stench. How to get rid of the smell of a ferret in this case? You need to wash your hands well with soap, you can add a few drops of essential oil to the water. Fortunately, this strong unpleasant odor quickly disappears.
When choosing what to do next with the animal, remember that the animal acts according to its nature. There is no malicious intentional intent in the act of the ferret. Therefore, before harming the animal in a fit of rage, you should think carefully about your act.
How to get rid of a ferret in a chicken coop? You can try to tame a ferret. You can keep him as a pet in a cage. But many prefer to use a more humane way - the animal simply needs to be taken out several kilometers from your place of residence.
This method of catching the animal is not very reliable, because it is quite difficult to cope with the agile ferret on your own. In addition, you can be scratched and bitten. Therefore, it is better to resort to a safer method using a live trap or trap.
Catch trap
Many do not know how to get rid of a ferret at home. Experienced farmers recommend using traps. This method is effective, repeatedly tested in practice. At the first alarming calls, it is necessary to place the hunting traps correctly. But remember that the small, nimble predator is quite careful. In addition, he has a good scent. Therefore, the trap must be treated with a special solution that will well erase the smell of human presence.
Trap can be coated:
- manure;
- slaked lime;
- dried lizard skin;
- can be boiled in spruce needles.
After handling the trap, it can only be picked up with gloves on. Before installing the trap, you must carefully examine the area. If the animal settled in a hole near the house, a trap must be placed at the entrance to the tunnel. A trap can be masked with a bunch of bird feathers. This curious predator will definitely want to explore such a place.
Using a trap
Experienced farmers recommend purchasing 2 traps. When choosing a model, it is recommended to pay attention to the sensitively configured gatehouse. Such a model will certainly work qualitatively, and you can quickly catch an attacker. How to get rid of a ferret in a barn using a trap?
The first trap must be placed directly at the entrance to the structure. A ferret strangled bird is recommended. It is hung on a hook at a distance of 10-20 cm from the floor above the trap. The trap should be set in the evening, when the bird settled in its place, calm.
Many summer residents complain that the ferret does not disdain to visit residential buildings. How to get rid of a ferret in the house? The principle may be the same - installing a trap under the door. In this case, previously killed bird can be hung on the doorknob. The second trap must be placed at the entrance to the hole. For greater persuasiveness, you can treat the body of a dead bird with poison or soporific drugs.
In the early morning you need to view the traps. If the beast did not come to visit that night, traps can be left until the next time. Acquired live traps will allow you to catch a living animal. Remember that pets can get into traps. So worry about the safety of domestic cats and dogs.
Repellers
Today in specialized stores you can buy modern devices that can scare predators. They can be:
- sound and sound;
- ultrasound.
Light and sound repellers create sound noise when the beast approaches and blink. They are equipped with motion sensors. The operation of the device begins at the moment when a warm-blooded creature appears in the radius of its action. In this case, an infrared sensor is immediately triggered, which provokes the generation of light and sound, which repel the predator.
The device is compact in size, can operate both from batteries and from the mains. Some models may also include an ultrasound generator. Ultrasonic devices emit low-frequency sounds that scare away animals. Therefore, the predator will not come close to the place where the device is installed. In addition to ferrets, such a device acts on mice, rats and moles. There is a wide variety of patterns. Such a device is safe for pets (except hamsters and decorative rats) and humans. It works both from batteries and from the mains.
Pets can also help
How to get rid of ferrets in the country? Pets such as cats and dogs can help you with this. Directly at the entrance to the barn, you can place a booth with a dog. The dog can also be tied in the vicinity of the ferret's burrow. But remember that in this case, you can not use poison in the fight against a predator. After all, it can be quite dangerous for your pet. It is rare that a dog can catch a cunning ferret, but it is quite capable of scaring it with its presence or smell. In addition, you can understand that at night time uninvited guests come to your barn. The cat will also help scare away the ferret. It can be run in the chicken coop. But remember that a pet can suffer from the sharp teeth of a ferret.
Folk methods
Many summer residents are interested in how to get rid of a ferret in the attic of the house. After all, often these animals try to settle on a secluded and sheltered from wind and rain roof. In this case, you can use folk methods of scaring away ferrets. Both in the attic and in the chicken coop you can hang goatskins. They have a specific smell, which scares away these cute predators. In the house you can cover the walls with tar. Ferrets cannot stand this smell either. Therefore, the animal will definitely not climb into such a room, even after prey.
You can arrange some simple traps: just install a large pan on a support, for example. Inside the bait is placed. As soon as the ferret approaches the delicacy, he will hook the support, and the container will cover it.
How to prevent the appearance of a predator in their lands?
Don't want to fight the cunning ferret? His appearance in his lands can be prevented. It is enough to follow a number of recommendations:
- The animal most often gets inside the house with the help of a dig. Therefore, it is recommended to fill in a reliable concrete floor. You can also build a wooden coating, upholstered in metal.
- Make sure that there are no gaps in the structure in the walls, doors, roof. The roof must be reliable.
- If there is a ventilation system, it is imperative to install a mesh that will prevent the predator from entering the premises.
- There is no way to make a strong floor? Fence the house with a fine mesh, which must be dug 0.5 m into the ground.
- Keep your site clean. Landfill of old branches, garbage heaps attract ferrets.
Subject to these rules, you may not have to learn how to get rid of ferrets in a private house. The main thing is to prevent the penetration of this cunning animal into its possessions.
Conclusion
At first glance, the ferret is a furry and cute animal. But it can cause irreparable damage to farmers, ruining chicken coops and destroying the bird. Therefore, before you get an economy, worry about equipping a quality building for their residence. You can place a doghouse next to the chicken coop. If suddenly the animal began to climb into your yard, immediately declare war on it. Use all of the above methods to protect your household from this attacker.