To keep mink away from chickens, secure the coop with sturdy fencing, bury it underground, and use motion-activated lights or noise deterrents.
Minks are ruthless predators that can wipe out an entire flock in one night. These agile hunters kill chickens by biting their throats and drinking their blood, often leaving multiple dead birds behind. Protecting your chickens requires a multi-layered defense strategy.
Why Minks Are Dangerous to Chickens
Minks belong to the weasel family and are solitary hunters. They can squeeze through 1-inch gaps and dig under fences. Unlike other predators that take one chicken, minks often kill multiple birds in a single attack.
These predators are active year-round and hunt both day and night. They’re excellent swimmers and climbers, making them hard to deter. Once they find your coop, they’ll keep returning.
10 Ways to Protect Your Chickens From Minks
1. Fortify Your Coop Structure
Use 1/4-inch hardware cloth instead of chicken wire. Bury it 12 inches deep around the perimeter or lay a concrete footer. Cover all openings, including vents and windows.
For added protection, install an appropriately sized coop with solid flooring. Minks can dig through dirt floors.
2. Install Predator-Proof Fencing
Electric fencing works best against minks. Use a 6-wire system with the bottom wire 3 inches from the ground. Add a hot wire outside the fence at mink nose height (4-6 inches).
3. Use Motion-Activated Deterrents
Motion sensor lights and sprinklers startle minks. Place them around the coop perimeter. Solar-powered blinking lights may also help disrupt their hunting patterns.
4. Apply Natural Repellents
Minks dislike strong smells. Try these options:
- Ammonia-soaked rags near entry points
- Predator urine (coyote or fox) around the perimeter
- Garlic or peppermint oil sprays
5. Remove Attractants
Keep the area clean of:
- Spilled feed that attracts rodents
- Tall grass or brush that provides cover
- Abandoned dens or burrows
6. Use Guard Animals
Geese make excellent watch animals and will sound alarms. Dogs like Great Pyrenees can deter minks but require training.
7. Set Live Traps
Use large live traps baited with:
- Fresh fish
- Bloody meat
- Dead mice
Place traps along mink runways near water sources. Check traps twice daily.
8. Maintain a Clean Perimeter
Keep grass trimmed short around the coop. Remove piles of debris where minks could hide. Install gravel barriers to make digging difficult.
9. Use Nighttime Protection
Close chickens in a secure coop at dusk. Minks are most active at night. Automatic door closers ensure birds are protected.
10. Monitor for Signs of Mink Activity
Watch for:
- Small tracks (1-1.5 inches) with 5 toes
- Dead chickens with throat bites
- Fish disappearing from ponds
What to Do If Minks Attack
If you lose birds to minks:
- Immediately reinforce all coop defenses
- Set multiple traps in the area
- Increase nighttime security measures
- Consider getting a guard animal
According to Havahart, trapping is one of the most effective control methods. The Backyard Chickens community recommends hardware cloth as essential protection.
Long-Term Prevention Strategies
Preventing mink attacks requires ongoing vigilance:
- Inspect fences weekly for new digging attempts
- Rotate repellents to maintain effectiveness
- Keep trapping areas active even after catching one mink
- Maintain clean surroundings year-round
By combining physical barriers, repellents, and active monitoring, you can create a comprehensive defense system against these determined predators.