Chickens and Voles and Ferrets?

[CoopersFarm]

Hello All,

I recently got 8 chicks in May that are now seemingly full-grown and fully free-range (within a one acre enclosed yard). They are very happy and great additions to the property despite their love for all things in the vegetable and fruit garden. Recently, I have noticed voles eating hostas in the shade garden (the chickens like to trim some of the leaves as well) and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on how to eradicate voles without endangering the chickens. Vole traps? Poison? Get ferrets?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Shadrach]

Hello CoopersFarm.
Welcome to BYC.
I don't understand why you would want to eradicate the voles. They are not a threat to the chickens.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

@CoopersFarm

I too am a little curious as to why you would wish to be rid of the voles. Now rats I will happily trap but not had issues with voles. I certainly wouldn’t suggest ferrets. We have ferrets and if they had the chance they would be in the chicken & quail runs to attack them. Ferrets can get in place you would not imagine possible.

 

[PirateGirl]

I got a cat. He catches more voles than anything else. The voles do a number on the garden but don't generally seem to bother the chickens.

 

[PirateGirl]

I also wanted to mention that a ferret could/would potentially kill your chickens, so I'm not sure that's the best solution. They are in the weasel family.

 

[CoopersFarm]

Thanks, everyone. Ok, so no ferrets. I want to get rid of voles because they are eating the roots of my plants.