Stoat kits-advise please...?

[bert the fert 28]

Right if my memory serves me right we used to set tunnel traps for these on the shoot cos they were considered 'vermin'!

Any keeper would be glad to see the back of the bloody things and you have saved 2!!

 

 

Thats right EVERYONE MUST THINK AND ACT LIKE A KEEPER. If your keeping birds then having stoats about is maybe a problem, if not then they dont cause any harm and are more likely to cause some good. They may be vermin in certain situations or certain places but thats a ridiculous basis for eradicating them on site or not trying to save one if found.

 

 

We have stoats knocking about and we keep chickens. I did wonder if the stoats would have a go at the chooks, but they never have. What's their natural prey ?

Anything they can catch pretty much but they love a rabbit. A great little hunter but can be a right pain in the arse when they get started.

 

 

That's mebbe why then, cos front field is heaving with bunnies. I also wondered if it was cos our chooks are big. Hector the cockerel is almost turkey sized and he's a right cranky bugger. When he has a go at my hubby, he tries to get his spurs as high up as hubby's chest Bunnies must seem easy pickins by comparison.

[Ideation 8,216]

Right if my memory serves me right we used to set tunnel traps for these on the shoot cos they were considered 'vermin'!

Any keeper would be glad to see the back of the bloody things and you have saved 2!!

 

 

Thats right EVERYONE MUST THINK AND ACT LIKE A KEEPER. If your keeping birds then having stoats about is maybe a problem, if not then they dont cause any harm and are more likely to cause some good. They may be vermin in certain situations or certain places but thats a ridiculous basis for eradicating them on site or not trying to save one if found.

 

 

We have stoats knocking about and we keep chickens. I did wonder if the stoats would have a go at the chooks, but they never have. What's their natural prey ?

Anything they can catch pretty much but they love a rabbit. A great little hunter but can be a right pain in the arse when they get started.

 

 

That's mebbe why then, cos front field is heaving with bunnies. I also wondered if it was cos our chooks are big. Hector the cockerel is almost turkey sized and he's a right cranky bugger. When he has a go at my hubby, he tries to get his spurs as high up as hubby's chest Bunnies must seem easy pickins by comparison.

[S.Cheshire Ferret Rescue 0]

Hi there it is highly unlikely that the mum to the kits will have them back as youre scent will be over them, if you go and put em back youl just be providing the local wildlife with a little snack!

I have hand reared stoats and e.u polecats before now and when theyve got old enough they are dehumanised and rehabilitated back into the wild. I would be happy to take them if you would like

 

 

 

the photo is of polecat kits with a jill ferret as a surrogate mum

[The one 8,469]

I can remember seeing a family group at a wildlife park in a big sized run and the guy said he'd had them for ages and they where still nevious all they did was stick there heads out a log pile

[S.Cheshire Ferret Rescue 0]

Well when i have had them in to rear they are very noticeably different to the average ferret,they hide,scream,spit and sometimes fly at you with teeth showing,i dont believe in keeping them in cages theyre just not meant to be kept.

[Tyla 3,179]

Right if my memory serves me right we used to set tunnel traps for these on the shoot cos they were considered 'vermin'!

Any keeper would be glad to see the back of the bloody things and you have saved 2!!

 

 

Thats right EVERYONE MUST THINK AND ACT LIKE A KEEPER. If your keeping birds then having stoats about is maybe a problem, if not then they dont cause any harm and are more likely to cause some good. They may be vermin in certain situations or certain places but thats a ridiculous basis for eradicating them on site or not trying to save one if found.

 

Good sense there, a pest is only a pest when its causing a problem.

[Ideation 8,216]

Right if my memory serves me right we used to set tunnel traps for these on the shoot cos they were considered 'vermin'!

Any keeper would be glad to see the back of the bloody things and you have saved 2!!

 

 

Thats right EVERYONE MUST THINK AND ACT LIKE A KEEPER. If your keeping birds then having stoats about is maybe a problem, if not then they dont cause any harm and are more likely to cause some good. They may be vermin in certain situations or certain places but thats a ridiculous basis for eradicating them on site or not trying to save one if found.

 

Good sense there, a pest is only a pest when its causing a problem.

 

 

Aye mate . . . . its something many on this site just CANNOT grasp.

[Rottphoenix 3]

Thanks for all in taking the time to reply and share their views to date-its much appriciated

 

-Just to clarify that these kits are very young and I looked for a while before deciding they were better picked up than left where they were. I understood that I wouldnt be able to take them back after touching them but was certian they were going to die on the road in the very near future as they were completly disorientated and not trying to leave the road,just rushing backwards and forwards on it.

 

I will see how others have gone about re-introducing kits like this back into the 'wild' and be very happy to recieve advice and suggestions in this regard. But its probably better at this point to move the thread on from discussions about wiether stoats are pests, or I should have picked them up to start with. I felt it was the right thing given the circumstances, and we cant go back in time

 

Thanks again Look forward to your advice.

Edited September 5, 2010 by Rottphoenix

[scothunter 12,609]

I know keepers do have a job to today and birds to protect,but sometimes they think their f*****g birds is the be all and end all and everything else should be exterminated on sight.id call it an occupational hazard and surely they must allow for some birds to be taken or lost.anyway not having a dig at all keepers and tbh those that talk about eradication of every danger to their stock probally hasnt ever keepered in their lifes.just the usual BS macho attitude some on here have.

[scothunter 12,609]

Hi there it is highly unlikely that the mum to the kits will have them back as youre scent will be over them, if you go and put em back youl just be providing the local wildlife with a little snack!

I have hand reared stoats and e.u polecats before now and when theyve got old enough they are dehumanised and rehabilitated back into the wild. I would be happy to take them if you would like

 

 

 

the photo is of polecat kits with a jill ferret as a surrogate mum

 

they just look like hybrids,as ive said before dont think anyone has a pure eu

[kevin from bristol 95]

got any pics of them ?

[fireman 10,869]

Recon i would have picked them up as well mate and all the very best with the little things,also wondering just how many of the keepers today would even know if a stoat was working a hedgerow these days as there sat in their 4x4's driving to the feed stations and not walking the land looking for any sign of predators and i'm not talking a pile of dead birds as sign either.

[Ideation 8,216]

I know keepers do have a job to today and birds to protect,but sometimes they think their f*****g birds is the be all and end all and everything else should be exterminated on sight.id call it an occupational hazard and surely they must allow for some birds to be taken or lost.anyway not having a dig at all keepers and tbh those that talk about eradication of every danger to their stock probally hasnt ever keepered in their lifes.just the usual BS macho attitude some on here have.

 

 

 

To the O.P - if you are going to keep them i would advise getting a sizeable cage with plenty of cover for them in it, i.e rocks, piece of log, maybe a pine branch etc. . . . lots of stuff for them to hide away in etc. If they are eating meat then feed them only whole carcasses, rabbit, birds etc.

 

For more info look here - http://wildlife1.wildlifeinformation.org/S/00Man/MammalHusbandryTechniques/UKMHusbIndTech/HR_M_Mustelinae.htm

 

Might be of some help.

 

Jai.

[DABCHICK 58]

I know keepers do have a job to today and birds to protect,but sometimes they think their f*****g birds is the be all and end all and everything else should be exterminated on sight.id call it an occupational hazard and surely they must allow for some birds to be taken or lost.anyway not having a dig at all keepers and tbh those that talk about eradication of every danger to their stock probally hasnt ever keepered in their lifes.just the usual BS macho attitude some on here have.

GOT TO SAY A VERY GOOD POINT ANYONE CAN GO KILLING EVERYTHING A BALANCE IS WHATS NEEDED REGARDS DABBER

[perthshire keeper 1,239]

I know keepers do have a job to today and birds to protect,but sometimes they think their f*****g birds is the be all and end all and everything else should be exterminated on sight.id call it an occupational hazard and surely they must allow for some birds to be taken or lost.anyway not having a dig at all keepers and tbh those that talk about eradication of every danger to their stock probally hasnt ever keepered in their lifes.just the usual BS macho attitude some on here have.

heare heare just because something needs killad on one place doesnt mean it needs it every where good on you for saveing them, shows the antis we arnt all blood thirsty nuts.

i have looked after a otter kit before and found it the best 3 months i can remeber its a privilage to se and hold thease animals alive and well so make the most of it