Unfortunately, stoats don't only kill for food, they also kill for sport. ... Stoats don't usually kill larger hens, they prefer smaller animals such as chicks and eggs however they have been known to kill sitting hens.

Will stoats kill chickens?

Stoats and Weasels will not usually attack large chickens but can be a problem with smaller birds such as bantams, guinea fowl, call ducks, quail and many species of wild fowl as well as chicks and growers. Both have the same diet and similar habitats although they do tend to avoid each other.

Can stoats get through chicken wire?

While you'll likely have a wooden frame in place, that frame must be protected with strong wire mesh. The gaps between the mesh should be no more than half an inch wide. Anything bigger enables the stoat to squeeze through.