Chipmunks eating chicken feed

[Wizbop]

The chipmunks are having a good ole time eating at my chicken feeder. My girls are free range out in the backyard. We are city dwellers and there are lots of little chipmunks. I don't have an outside cat. The dog sleeps his days away in the sun unphased by the little cuties. Anything I can do aside from just deal with it? Is this common?

 

[PortageGirl]

Very common! You can pick up the feed during the day if it bothers you... my hens chase chipmunks off if they're around, but if they're not there, the chipmunks get a free lunch. (mine free range too)

I have chubby chipmunks!

 

[ChickenToes]

There are ways to get rid of them, if you don't mind being called a chipmunk killer for the rest of your life. I use the bucket trap, as described in the link below.

http://www.helium.com/items/611644-how-to-get-rid-of-chipmunks

 

[obxWaMi]

I looked out the back door a few days ago and saw our 5 chickens having a scratch party with 2 squirrel just a few feet from our deck. I think the local wildlife is getting a bit too comfortable in our back yard. The cottontail bunnies are even venturing out into the yard in the daytime.

 

[spottedtail]

Your dog is dozing in the sun while chipmunks carry off the food?
What the heck?
A person to dog pep-talk is in order.

spot

 

[adoptedbyachicken]

Sadly the little cuties are just as bad as any rodent for the damage they do and the parasites they pack. If your hens are not eating their feed in the day take it away. I use bait to control mice since we have the deer mice with hantavirus here. Chipmunks eat the same bait. I use a 3 or 4 inch foot long hunk of sewer pipe for a container, and wire the bait to the center of the pipe so that the chickens can't get in or even peck at the bait. They love tunnels and go in there to eat. Be sure to buy the newer expensive bait that not only is more humane but the body is safe to eat in case your dog or chickens get one. It's well worth it. They can be trapped with peanut butter too if you want to try a snap trap but keep it out of chicken reach somehow.

 

[Wizbop]

Quote:
Nope, my heart just wouldn't let me do it. Besides there are dozens where we live, I imagine.

 

[Wizbop]

Quote:
Yep, after his morning run, he's done for the day and could care less about a little "chickmunk" as my daughter calls them.

 

[molly645]

well you might have to think about the bucket to get rid of them because you dont wont them eating your feed or trying to get your feed to they get it...

 

[LeezyBeezy]

We live in Maine, and we are infested with the dang things!! The other day there was one inside the small coop for my 5 weekers- it squeezed through the one inch hole!! I keep the regular feed in a platic garbage can, though.