Are mice really a problem?

[h2olilee]

Yesterday I noticed a mouse dug under the edge of the coop run to get to the feed inside. I have large stones around the outside edge, but they are irregular and it found a small spot it could get in. Rats wouldn't be able to get in, but mice can. I have 3 four month old gold laced wyandotte bantams and they seemed concerned about the mouse and were sticking to the opposite end of the run. My question is if mice are actually a problem? Should I just ignore it, or should I do something about it? I am an organic gardener and won't use poison. Any suggestions?

 

[PurpleChicken]

Where there is one mouse more will follow. I'd recommend an old fashioned mousetrap.

Chickens will actually eat a small mouse. The only major concern with mice would be them urinating on the eggs. Mice pee is nasty stuff and they can spread salmonella.

1 or 2 mice are nothing to worry about.

 

[fordmommy]

I use a trap that I got from my local Fleet Farm and it's like a "T rex". It cost $3.99 for two and I caught one mouse the first hour I had it. Killed instantly. I have had no problems with mice since. And the traps are still set. It was the best 4 bucks I ever spent. Easy to use and not scary like the origanal mouse trap that you're used to. Way better. And it comes in different sizes, say for rats or something like a squirrel. Hope this helps.

 

[PitterPaws]

I second the "T-Rex" but if your not willing to empty the trap

you can always get a cat or two they will clear out any mice quick like, and any mice they don't catch will pack their bags and leave since the neighborhood just went down hill!

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

come on folks she organic -- whatcha need is a couple of mostly feral barncats!

 

[deerman]

To answer your question, yes they will be a problem, one mouse has babies every 21 days, those babies will breed at 6 week, not long you will have hundreds.

Traps

 

[Sitka]

The good news is that (if I remember correctly) if you have mice, you don't have rats. Rats will drive mice away. If I had my "druthers," I would choose mice over rats, since mice will eat feed but rats will eat feed and chicks. It seems obvious, but make sure that you put the mouse traps where the chickens can't get to it. I lost a pigeon to one once.
Good luck.

 

[daryl]

Best thing is try to keep your feed from spilling anywhere other than where chickens can eat it. I have a entryway into my coop where I keep feed in canesters but If i spill a little now and then I sweep it to the outside. It not so much the mice themselves its the droppings and pee and possible viriuses thay can bring with them. I would use the glue traps there disposable and cheep. Keep a clean food storage container .Im also 100% organic, posion it not a option.

 

[Lady Henevere]

I recently read that mice and rats really hate cayenne pepper, so you can either sprinkle red pepper flakes around the coop/run or put the flakes in oil, let it soak for a while, and spray the oil around the coop and run. I haven't tried it (although I probably will soon), so I have no idea if it works. I also have no idea whether the chickens will eat pepper flakes (did I read somewhere that birds can't taste spiciness...?), and if so, whether it will make the eggs taste bad. So oil may be the better way to go.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

 

[Kojack]

use the hot pepper. The spice does not get to the egg. I have a neighbor that fed his girls some crawfish shells (in south louisiana they are HOT!) the yoke was a red color (like tobasco) but tasted the same as usual! I think it would be great if they had that great crawfish boil taste!

Cajun eggs! IIIIIIIIYYEEEEEEE!!!!