Finally figured out how to take care of the mice problem

[madimorg]

I've been having an issue with mice getting into the feeders at night in my chicken run. I dont like the idea of them eating my feed and also peeing and pooping in it. I'd been noticing mouse poop in the mornings and before letting the girls out I'd have to try to clean it out which was such a pain. I didn't want to use poison around the coop or run for fear of the chickens getting hold of a dead mouse that had eaten the poison. I tried glue traps under the feeders and I'd still find mouse poop in the feeders. So finally my husband had a great idea of penning our two outdoor cats in the run at night. So far every morning when I let the cats out of the run and the chickens into the run I've found dead mice. I figure it's time the cats start working for their food anyway. This has worked perfect for us and the cats dont seem to be minding at all.

 

[mediazeal]

Sounds like the cats are enjoying it
is it warm enough for the cats at night in the run? is it covered?
I'm sure the word will get around that the open feed bar is closed due to bouncers and you will start seeing fewer dead mice.
has the mice poop in the feed disappeared since the cats are on duty?

 

[geebs]

Genious...and if you get overrun with cats you can move up to dogs... LOL

Nice use of the food chain!!!

 

[madimorg]

Yes, the mouse poop issue has been resolved!! Apparently word has gotten out that there are bouncers on duty. Yes, the chicken run is covered and is really large... I've recently put straw on the floor of the run since we're getting into winter and we want to keep mud to a minimum. I'm thinking by the end of this week the cats can go back to spending their nights roaming around the farm and doing whatever it is cats do.

 

[Judy]

If it were my cat, or my dogs for that matter, you wouldn't find the mice. The dogs actually dig out rat holes to try to get the rat and kill it. Sometimes they succeed. Hmmm, wonder if this is why my little dog is getting fat....

Agreed, good use of the food chain!

 

[RedReiner]

oh man! thanks for the idea!! I have had chickens for about 3 weeks and already the rats have moved in. I had never gotten chickens before just because of that. soon as our cold snap breaks Mr. Cathead is sleeping in the chicken coop lol. He is pretty lethal and brings me weasels and bunny rabbits before the coyotes ate them all. He will be quite comfy in there and hopefully takes out the family that moved in.

 

[speedy2020]

Mouse will get smart and come back. I used Victor snap trap and I got 14 mouses/rats so far. There is no sign of dropping and I only see mouse twice. If you have dropping, there may be too many around.

 

[Mattemma]

I wish my cats would eat some mice.I think my dogs are better at catching them. I just set some traps after my dogs went crazy for something under my car. All I need is a mouse chewing my car wires!

 

[trailgurl]

that sounds like my dog Jessie. Just the other day, a rat was in our corn, and the sides are slippery so he couldn't climb out- I got Jessie, tipped the barrel over, and she was on him That is one of the main reasons that my dad actually likes her