Chickens and Mint

[Stacyoung13]

I see
I was just curious, I know my birds can make a mess! I've got 1-2 that like to bill through the feed and leave it on the ground. That's when the feed cups get taken up so they have to clean it all up

Now...all my cups/feed containers are under cover, but in damp warm weather, feed on the ground can mold very quickly here - sometimes overnight, so I watch for that very closely and keep my shovel handy clean it up.

I have 5 pvc feeders. 3 in with bigger chickens, 2 in with my silkies. The mice we're jumping up into bottom of feeder and chowing down. We watched about a dozen running around on the camera then decided to try mint. I'm not complaining. So far tonight we've seen one, and it didn't go near the food.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have 5 pvc feeders. 3 in with bigger chickens, 2 in with my silkies. The mice we're jumping up into bottom of feeder and chowing down. We watched about a dozen running around on the camera then decided to try mint. I'm not complaining. So far tonight we've seen one, and it didn't go near the food.

Fantastic!

 

[007Sean]

I love mint in both ice cream and chocolate but I prefer sage, parsley, salt, and black pepper with my chicken. The Colonel's 11 secret herbs and spices are also tasty.
Let us know if you find the perfect spice to go with mice.

 

[Stacyoung13]

My girls couldn't care less about eating mint but It wouldn't hurt them if they did.
They do like walking through it and sitting in it ! Maybe it repels mites??? Certainly does not repel mice. I have it planted all along the garage and we have plenty of mice in there!

Mint won't hurt your chickens.
As for mice...personally, I don't think that mint will deter the mice. If you have a rodent problem, trap or poison them, just make sure your chickens don't have access to the traps or poison.

My girls couldn't care less about eating mint but It wouldn't hurt them if they did.
They do like walking through it and sitting in it ! Maybe it repels mites??? Certainly does not repel mice. I have it planted all along the garage and we have plenty of mice in there!

Night 3 and I seen 1 mouse for about 5 seconds. No where near the food. For all the skeptics that said it wouldn't work, I have to say you're wrong. Peppermint extract mixed with water and sprayed around feed stations does keep the mice away. In my run anyways.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Night 3 and I seen 1 mouse for about 5 seconds. No where near the food. For all the skeptics that said it wouldn't work, I have to say you're wrong. Peppermint extract mixed with water and sprayed around feed stations does keep the mice away. In my run anyways.

Thanks for the update!
Glad to hear that it's working for you - I may have to look into that more closely

 

[Cragg Klefor]

I have mint plants growing beside a shed in my garden - mice were burrowing under the shed and wanted to try deter them. Mice regularly nest underneath the plants now. I guess the shelter outweighs their dislike of the mint in my garden. Wish it wasn't so but glad it works for others!

 

[Stacyoung13]

I have mint plants growing beside a shed in my garden - mice were burrowing under the shed and wanted to try deter them. Mice regularly nest underneath the plants now. I guess the shelter outweighs their dislike of the mint in my garden. Wish it wasn't so but glad it works for others!

Maybe try the oil instead of plants?