Deep litter method

[CATRYNA]

these are going to be the most expensive eggs you've ever had anyway, LOL but I do see your point with it being that big

I haven't. But then I hate those little boogers so much that I used 1/4 inch hardware cloth all around my run and coop to keep them out. Mice don't need much of an opening at all to make entry!

We have 3' high, 1/4 inch hardware cloth around our whole enclosure, which is quite large. This because we have coyotes and raccoons. No matter what, we still have mice that get in (and even a vole or two). They always end up in the drinking water. I merely throw them to the chickens and they eat them right up.

 

[Blooie]

We have 3' high, 1/4 inch hardware cloth around our whole enclosure, which is quite large. This because we have coyotes and raccoons. No matter what, we still have mice that get in (and even a vole or two). They always end up in the drinking water. I merely throw them to the chickens and they eat them right up.

Gives me the heebies just thinking about it. I don't know what it is, but I'd rather be fighting large predators than those teeny little mousies. I haven't seen any, nor any signs of any. We even put 1/4 inch HWC up around the lower portion of the coop, secured with large washers and screws then folded out into an apron 2 feet wide. Maybe I'm living in La-La land and have just convinced myself that they haven't discovered the coop and run yet. Who knows? But if there was a gap or a miniscule hole anywhere it got covered - in some places with a double layer! <shudder>

 

[CATRYNA]

Gives me the heebies just thinking about it. I don't know what it is, but I'd rather be fighting large predators than those teeny little mousies. I haven't seen any, nor any signs of any. We even put 1/4 inch HWC up around the lower portion of the coop, secured with large washers and screws then folded out into an apron 2 feet wide. Maybe I'm living in La-La land and have just convinced myself that they haven't discovered the coop and run yet. Who knows? But if there was a gap or a miniscule hole anywhere it got covered - in some places with a double layer! <shudder>

Sounds to me like you really got the problem covered and solved.

I don't mind the little critters, but the big ones have caused us a lot of grief, in the past; snatching cats as well as chickens, turkeys, guineas. We also cover our pens/yards with chicken wire, because of the arial predators.

 

[PapaChaz]

We have 3' high, 1/4 inch hardware cloth around our whole enclosure, which is quite large. This because we have coyotes and raccoons. No matter what, we still have mice that get in (and even a vole or two). They always end up in the drinking water. I merely throw them to the chickens and they eat them right up.

a mouse can get in as small as 1/4" opening, they can literally flatten their bodies out and squeeze through. I learned that from years managing a restaurant, one of the heath dept guidelines was that there can be no opening, crack around a door or window that's 1/4"



sorry Blooie.........

 

[Blooie]

a mouse can get in as small as 1/4" opening, they can literally flatten their bodies out and squeeze through. I learned that from years managing a restaurant, one of the heath dept guidelines was that there can be no opening, crack around a door or window that's 1/4"



sorry Blooie.........

Why sorry, PapaChaz? I used 1/4 inch hardware cloth so only the real contortionists will be able to sneak past! Even the wind has a hard time squeezing through!

 

[JaceAgain]

 


a mouse can get in as small as 1/4" opening, they can literally flatten their bodies out and squeeze through. I learned that from years managing a restaurant, one of the heath dept guidelines was that there can be no opening, crack around a door or window that's 1/4"



sorry Blooie.........

Why sorry, PapaChaz?  I used 1/4 inch hardware cloth so only the real contortionists will be able to sneak past!  Even the wind has a hard time squeezing through!  

Because hes saying that mice can easily fit through 1/4 in holes, not just certain ones or contortionist ones. On the plus side, you are keeping rats out

 

[Blooie]

Because hes saying that mice can easily fit through 1/4 in holes, not just certain ones or contortionist ones. On the plus side, you are keeping rats out

Oh, you guys are making me feel SOOOOO much better about going out to do my chores!

 

[TalkALittle]

I don't think mice can fit through a 1/4" square. A 1/4" high crack that they can flatten through, yes, but I wouldn't think they'd fit through a 1/4" square or hole. Maybe I'll see what Google thinks.

 

[TalkALittle]

A quick search tells me that the size hole a mouse can fit through is limited by the width of their skull. Apparently adult field and house mice have skulls that range from 2-2.2 cm wide.


1cm=0.394 inches

Looks like you're safe with 1/4" hardware cloth.

 

[Blooie]

A quick search tells me that the size hole a mouse can fit through is limited by the width of their skull. Apparently adult field and house mice have skulls that range from 2-2.2 cm wide.


1cm=0.394 inches

Looks like you're safe with 1/4" hardware cloth.

You are my new best friend....and your check is in the mail!