Chipmunks?

[Jennyhaschicks]

This is probably a dumb question...
Do chipmunks pose any sort of threat to the chickens? I feed the birds and I put out squirrel food so I have the chipmunks out there all the time. I don't mind them.
I noticed they are climbing up the sides of the coop and stuff being the curious little creatures that they are.
If they were to get into my coop they wouldn't bother the chickens would they? I don't want a chicken to get bit or something.

 

[spook]

It is a double sided question. Rodents of all kinds can bring in illness, I find that regardless to how you protect from rodents, they will be in our lives. I have found it strangely humorous to watch the girls when a chipmunk does enter their space, they chase and can kill one of the little buggers. I have seen a red squirrel stealing food, make a wrong turn and have the hair off its tail stripped from a chicken having a strong hold on it! That particular squirrel disappeared- perhaps move out after that! hee hee.
So, enjoy your wild life, and have fun!

 

[PortageGirl]

Your chickens pose a bigger direct threat to Chip and Dale than the other way around IMO. Chickens will gang up and chase/kill mice and small rats, but not big ones. Not sure where chipmunks fall in that size scale but I don't think I'd worry about them at all. They're not as aggressive nor are they as omnivorous as rats as far as I know, and I live on a lot with a lot of woods, which means lots of munks.

[edit] I think Spook and I were typing at the same time!! YEAH!! What he said!!

 

[first time farmer]

I would advise a bb gun or a .22 rifle it worked for me. They didnt get into the coop just tried and were getting into the house

 

[Jennyhaschicks]

Quote:
Sorry, ain't gonna happen here at my place. If they are getting into the house that may be one thing, but they don't seem to be bothering much. And I am the one giving them food.

Hmm, so I guess I don't have much to worry about. I figured the chickens would scare them away. My barred rocks are "old bitties". They even chase the poor wild birds away.

 

[PortageGirl]

Just watch out for rats. Big ones WILL hurt hens when they're sleeping. Not sure what makes hens go so catatonic while they sleep, but rats can be very dangerous to the chickens themselves, and to eggs.

The other thing is chipmunks can tear up insulation etc if they're getting into the walls themselves. I think I share your attitude though, just keep an eye on em.

 

[Eric in NC]

They do bring fleas with them wherever they go...

 

[Amy_52]

This is probably a dumb question...
Do chipmunks pose any sort of threat to the chickens? I feed the birds and I put out squirrel food so I have the chipmunks out there all the time. I don't mind them.
I noticed they are climbing up the sides of the coop and stuff being the curious little creatures that they are.
If they were to get into my coop they wouldn't bother the chickens would they? I don't want a chicken to get bit or something.

The chipmunks and wild birds have always coincided with my chickens. But tonight when I went out to lock up my girls and my rooster, I was completely shocked to find a chipmunk tail! Like, only the tail!! I'm flabbergasted! There's no evidence anywhere of the rest of the chipmunk and my kids are completely fine. No other signs of struggle or dismay. My only conclusion is that one p***ed off one of my hens ( my rooster is very docile) and they snapped that tail off right at the buttocks. A clean cut with no blood whatsoever! I'm blown away I mean I feel bad for the chipmunk and I hope it's still alive cuz I get a kick out of watching them but I know my girls and ya don't mess with them!! So I wouldn't worry about the chipmunks! It's them who have to worry about the chickens!

 

[Red Mangrove]

My chickens cohabitate peacefully with chipmunks, squirrels and roof rats. At the absolute most, these rodents will eat some chicken food. I think they're all cute and they don't bother humans or chickens at all

 

[Al Gerhart]

Rodents of all types including tree rats and chipmunks are also prey species for larger predators like raptors, snakes, coyotes, and foxes. Besides the pests and disease they spread they also encourage predators to hang around a coop. Protect the chicken feed and you eliminate a lot of potential problems.