perchie.girl
RIP 1953-2021
So how does everyone deal with predators here? Not raccoons but like rats mice and such animals with their chickens ?
I really think keeping the coops clean of extra feed is the solution. Possibly using a treadle feeder for outside.... But keeping the feed accessible ONLY to the poultry in some fashion.
I know @seminolewind uses drop down buckets to cover her feed dishes at night.
I also think if its practical that all feeding should be done outside of the coop. So when the poultry goes to bed at night they only have water inside the coop. in case you get up late in the morning...
The other way is to seal that coop up to the Nth degree with hardware cloth and mouse proof barriers. Keep the feed in Steel trash cans... If rats want in they will go right through a plastic can. I have had ground squirrels go through a Pallet then up through the bottom of a Plastic storage locker then through plastic feed bin and drain the feed from the bottom.
Ground squirrels her are incredibly destructive... Been known to collapse patio foundations... They carry boubonic plague fleas too.
deb