Electronic Deterrents / Ultra Sonic

[TheFleetch]

Has anyone used electronic deterrents for their coops to repel squirrels and other rodents?

Would they potentially irritate the chickens?

Just wondering if these ultra sonic things work or are too good to be true! I know I could sit outside with a pellet gun, but I'm a little soft hearted with these squirrels that are just trying to live too.

But, I'm not willing to allow them to give my chickens diseases or other nasties.

What's a girl to do?

Thanks!

 

[Wezdin]

Welcome To BYC! I have never tried the electronic things but my rooster keeps them out pretty well. Either that or they just don't have the urge to come in....

 

[TheFleetch]

Welcome To BYC! I have never tried the electronic things but my rooster keeps them out pretty well. Either that or they just don't have the urge to come in....

I'm in a pretty urban area, and roosters aren't allowed. I wish I could have one to protect the flock, it would make life a lot easier.

 

[Wezdin]

Just found a OLD thread on this sort of thing https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...onic-mouse-rat-control-in-their-coops.385763/

 

[TheFleetch]

Perfect - thank you Barnhart. Yes, it looks like it's just not going to be a solution I was hoping for, but the bucket trick might be the one.

 

[Fishkeeper]

The bucket traps work, but you might want to find a dispatch method other than drowning, or just go with regular snapping mousetraps. You can put the mousetraps under things so the chickens can't reach them, and it's a lot more humane than letting a mouse tread water until it's too exhausted and drowns.

 

[Wezdin]

and it's a lot more humane than letting a mouse tread water until it's too exhausted and drowns.

A bit of antifreeze in the bottom of the bucket will do the trick

 

[Fishkeeper]

Antifreeze causes massive internal damage, and by all accounts, animals that die of antifreeze poisoning are in severe pain before they do. Also not something I'd suggest doing. It's not as if the mice are tiny sadists who are going to mouse hell for their crimes after they die, they're just animals.
If you have to put something in the bottom of the bucket to kill the mice, try legitimate rodent poison. Most kinds kill via severe internal bleeding, which is horrifying, but probably less painful than the other options.

 

[VictoriaMoore]

You might try something like this: https://predatorguard.com/products/expel-natural-animal-repellent-spray-32-oz

I write articles for that company and that spray works for rodents and squirrels, and several other animals as well. It's all natural, so it won't hurt any of them, they just don't like the smell or taste, so they avoid it. I hope that helps! I don't have a problem with squirrels, but we get a lot of skunks over here.