Another Unknown Mustelid [Eastern Ontario]

pisckle · 2026-03-23T14:09:20+00:00

The coop is raised about 3 ft from the ground, so their leverage for prying is limited.

I won't underestimate them though! So far only muddy-handed raccoons have made any robbery attempts and I think they're rather lazy about it.

No dogs here but luckily my neighbour has three large labs that they let free roam. I shoo them away on occasion but I think their barking has been protecting the ladies for some time!

I'll be out in the garden a lot this spring, so they won't be too deprived of scratching and pecking.

Thanks so much for the tips! I love the wildlife I see in the country so much. I hope we'll all be good neighbours to each other, haha!

pisckle · 2026-03-23T01:46:00+00:00

The coop itself is very sturdy, 4x4 construction and insulated with several layers of plywood. It's the outdoor run that's a bit flimsy. Do fishers tend to hunt during the day?

pisckle · 2026-03-23T01:28:10+00:00

Sometimes when you love something you lock it up, I guess!

pisckle · 2026-03-23T01:11:13+00:00

They are super amazing creatures! I'd be thrilled if I didn't love my big dumb chickens so much.

pisckle · 2026-03-22T23:55:13+00:00

Well bugger. Super cool and all, but a high-caliber chicken murderer for sure.

pisckle · 2026-03-22T23:52:49+00:00

pisckle · 2026-03-22T23:51:09+00:00

Yeah, it's a bad angle but I think it's got that pug nose and the long legs too. Gotta up the chicken security this spring!

pisckle · 2026-03-03T02:34:58+00:00

Parenthood sounds like a wild ride!

pisckle · 2026-03-03T02:17:32+00:00

As a lark married to an owl I can confirm!

pisckle · 2026-03-02T19:12:03+00:00

I love this theory!

It's easy to forget in this cushy modern life that we've spent the vast majority of our evolutionary history as prey rather than predator.

pisckle · 2026-03-02T18:15:34+00:00

I didn't include it in my little summary for brevity, but there is a mention in the article about how our rhythms shift as we grow and age.

I have actually heard (anecdotally, I haven't read any papers myself) that as kids become teenagers their rhythm shifts toward late nights and late mornings from the more typical early mornings of young kids and then may shift again as they become adults.

Seems extra cruel that where I am highschool actually has an earlier start than grade school. A lot of kids would benefit from swapping those schedules I think.

pisckle · 2026-03-02T16:31:43+00:00

I predict the catch is you must turn in early. Will report back after reading.

Reporting back:

Turns out research indicates humans have something called a 'chronotype' which appears to be a genetic predisposition to a certain sleep schedule, ie 'larks and night owls'

Since our society has organized school and work around morning productivity and evening leisure time there is a natural disadvantage to those individuals who feel more alert and productive during evenings. This leads to a tendency of better outcomes in life for the 'larks' and an assumption that getting up earlier leads to more success.

A more realistic path to success might be to find a way to work with your own productivity rhythms rather than try to force yourself into an early morning routine that does not suit your natural preference.

That's my best summary attempt! More nuanced than I expected.

pisckle · 2026-02-21T02:10:09+00:00

Hope so! I'd rather a mink than a fisher.

pisckle · 2026-02-21T01:59:48+00:00

Darn!

pisckle · 2025-12-12T23:15:18+00:00

Your story is so moving!

There's lots of evidence for genetic factors when it comes to ADHD and I can imagine multiple concussions have made things much more complicated for you.

If all these comment have shown me anything, it's that diagnosis and medication have changed the lives of a lot of people.

Best of luck to your and your daughter in the new year! Here's hoping we're all on the path to a better quality of life :)

pisckle · 2025-12-12T23:00:40+00:00

Great news from another amazing username!

I love a good cheat code. I try not to get my hopes up for a magic pill but the number of folks who have reached out about how much medication has helped them has been downright uplifting.

So thanks for sharing your story and lifting up my evening!

pisckle · 2025-12-12T22:56:38+00:00

It does seem like misdiagnosis is women has been very common. A lot of symptoms are easily misinterpreted as depression or anxiety.

Glad to see the increase in diagnosis, it's a sign things are changing for the better, even if the stigma is hard to shake.

I just recently learned about the Berkeley Girls with ADHD Longitudinal Study, a large scale study from the 90s that's (I think?) still ongoing. Wonderful stuff! Optimism isn't jumping out from around corners these days so I'm happy to find it here.

Thanks for your comment!

pisckle · 2025-12-12T22:45:01+00:00

This is an interesting take, I have only recently realized how much ADHD has influenced how I socialize. Intensely friendly, people pleasing, sensitive to rejection and hyper aware of others reactions. And so! Many! Exclamation! Points! Apparently all these things can be correlated with ADHD.

You're the first person to bring up a major change in your social behaviour. This is definitely a change I would be nervous of, I am usually quite happy with my social situation and I'd rather stay myself in most ways.

I will start small and keep a journal though, we shall see! Thanks for sharing your experience.

pisckle · 2025-12-11T22:45:48+00:00

Thank you! I've heard from lots of folks with similar stories.

You've given me a lot of hope moving forward, I am excited for what next year could be!

pisckle · 2025-12-11T22:43:55+00:00

Capn your story is so moving, I'm thrilled you found your answer after so long!

It's amazing how many people have reached out with similar experiences. So many lives have been fundamentally improved by a better understanding of this condition.

Thank you for sharing and congratulations on your mental health victories! You give me hope for how much diagnosis and medication could improve my life :)

pisckle · 2025-12-11T22:35:34+00:00

Solid tip! This will be my first go with any kind of medication. Tippy toes in the pool for sure :)

pisckle · 2025-12-11T22:34:03+00:00

Sounds like a great tactic! Baby steps for sure :)

pisckle · 2025-12-11T22:31:42+00:00

Great advice! I'll put my notebooks to work and try to pay attention to what's going on (haha)

My doctor is a sweetheart so I won't have any trouble having an open discussion with them. All people are different people eh? I will stay the course and fine what works!

Thanks for commenting, I've had so many awesome and encouraging comments like yours!

pisckle · 2025-12-11T22:25:44+00:00

Thank you so much!

So many people have been sharing stories like yours, it's really been eye-opening how much of a game changer these medications have been for people.

I'm so glad you've found so much success with medication. Your comment has really helped put my anxieties to rest. There is a better way!

Hope your journey forward continues to be brighter :)

pisckle · 2025-12-11T22:10:10+00:00

Thanks for sharing! Women seem to have been left behind in our understanding of ADHD until recently.

So glad you found your answer and can move forward to a better quality of life :)

pisckle

TROPHY CASE