Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

I am not looking for a fight on any topic, and certainly not on how to get rid of mice, but I really feel I need to restate that drowning is not humane. I understand not everyone will care about humane killing of mice, but some will.

I encourage everyone to research this for themselves. Just like cervical dislocation is regarded as one of the few humane ways to kill a chicken, a snap trap is effectively the same thing to a mouse.

Attached below is an extract from Q&A from the International arm of The Humane Society:

Q: If a mouse or rat is suffering on a glue trap and can’t be released, is there a humane way of killing them?

A: The only method of killing a rodent on a glue trap that is regarded as ‘humane’ is with one sharp blow to the head. However this requires a firm, unwavering resolve and many people may find themselves too frightened, squeamish or upset to be able to do it. Forum users divulging details of what they have done with glue-trapped animals list leaving the animal to die on the trap, drowning the animal or throwing the trap away with a live animal still attached as methods of dispatch, all of which would cause unacceptable suffering.

Q: Is drowning an option?

A: No. The professional pest control industry and scientists agree that drowning is not humane. One experiment found the average time it takes for a rat to drown is 2.6 minutes. Setting an important legal precedent, in 2010 a man was convicted under the UK Animal Welfare Act of causing unnecessary suffering after he drowned a squirrel in a water butt.

***
Other sources I have reviewed essentially say the same thing. If you have a mouse that has not been killed you should deal them a hefty blow with a hammer, not drown them.
Of note, sticky traps have been banned by a number of countries like New Zealand and Ireland on the grounds of animal welfare.

Like @Ponypoor I like the zap traps. I think they stack up quite well economically.
A basic Victor electronic trap costs $17.78 on Amazon - add about $5 for the batteries - let's call that $23. They are rated for about 100 mice per set of batteries. So that is 23 cents per dead mouse.
Glue traps vary wildly in price - but many are around 50 cents each and are generally single use (though sometimes you can catch a family together on one trap).

Dead mouse tax: Tassels on a short enforced break from her nest. Nothing changes this girl’s mind about being broody!
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Wow she sure is determined isn’t she? Of course my brats are no better - I am just waiting for Marty to go broody now hahaha.

 

[Grandma The Chicken]

Twofer

 

[Ponypoor]

@Ponypoor ,

I have some George news for you that I am sure will make you happy. Along his neck and around his shoulders George's white is becoming more of a cream color. I do not know if it will eventually end up with a orange tint as he gets older, but it is definitely new feather growth and not bright white.

That’s how Butterscotch and Muffy were - I thought they were dirty and tried to wash them

Muffy

 

[BY Bob]

Not sure drowning is such a quick death.
I put my snap traps in boxes so they cannot approach them from the side and it will always break the neck. It also prevents cat paws and chicken feet from being in danger.

Very clever.

 

[BY Bob]

Big beautiful Nocturne is in the house for her pedicure. She is appreciating the warm epsom salt footbath and the wormy treats!
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Zombie eyes!
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Such a beauty.

 

[BY Bob]

I got one for one of the project I worked on, it was a Traeger smoker bbq, used pellets, it was awesome.

We raffled it off at project end, I sold tickets and then to up the stakes my boss went and bought a brand new one and when we told everyone we sold even more tickets!

Over $9,000 - and the company matched dollar for dollar, we donated the money to the local childrens’ activities at the public library. Almost $20,000 when all was said and done

This little monkey is such a little turkey, and so adorable.
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Great job by everyone helping others. Just Awesome!

 

[BY Bob]

He never showed up today. I forgot that his father’s funeral was today. I feel like but I did attend the funeral wake after. I’m such a loser!

Try not to be too hard on yourself.

 

[BY Bob]

Rodent Tax

Everyone involved in the rodent elimination discussion powers some tax. I'd like to see multiple photos please.

 

[BY Bob]

@Ponypoor ,

I have some George news for you that I am sure will make you happy. Along his neck and around his shoulders George's white is becoming more of a cream color. I do not know if it will eventually end up with a orange tint as he gets older, but it is definitely new feather growth and not bright white.

That's sad.

White is magical!

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

That's sad.

White is magical!

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I'm torn. I know Rosie will be thrilled with a bit of color on George. Mr P has a hint of color on him as well and he is handsome. I had it in my head after all this time that George was going to stay the bright white gorgeous boy he has been. If I am being 100% honest, I am a little sad he is not. Whatever color he ends up being it will not make me love him any more or less. I just liked my sparkly white boy the was he was.