Johnny... I'm not sure if a mink will go into a live trap or not, but it's worth a try... If you don't get him, borrow a couple of legholds or conibears from someone... If you know a trail or a hole he is using to access your hen house, it would be a natural for a conibear...

As far as bait goes, mink like FRESH food, not carrion.. Probably fresh fish would be best and easiest to get.. A few minnows would be better than a big piece of carp or whatever....Also, fresh meat such as squirrel, rabbit or muskrat would be good..You probably could pick up fresh roadkill....

Good luck....

BTW, we're practically neighbors...I'm over in Steuben County....

It sounds more like a weasel rather than a mink to me, but until you catch who knows? Did you happen to notice any white on it, tip of tail or undersides? If it is a mink do as pigmy suggested, as they like fresh fish. A weasel I am not so sure about except for a nice pellet gun to do the trick. Good Luck on getting rid of that varmit! I would also find the place it is getting in and patch it up so it can't find it's way back into it.

is it near water? ist there anywhere that it makes a funnel from where its coming fom to your chicken coup.

maybe try a little fish.

however i am no expert. i just undersand your frustrationabout losing chickens and ive caught mink before.

At the risk of attack here.....The reason I think it is a mink is because it
put the carcass's in a pile...And I was told,weseal's don't do that....

I got his sorry ass..no white on this one..He looked black in the spot
light..Looks dead now..

congrats on getting the little buggar. now your chickens are safe and sound again. how many did you end up losing?

i've seen live traps where they put a mesh cage in it and put a live chicken in it. give em what they REALLY want. the mesh should keep the chicken safe.