Hanta virus threat

[Mpotter72]

I've kept 8 chickens, 7 hens and 1 Coques. My daughters have fondly named it XeXim. We recently lost one to a blocked vent issue. We have Rhode Island Red, Golden sex linked, Orpington and Wyandotte breeds. We started keeping chickens during the onset of covid thinking on how we could become self sustaining in the event things really got out of hand. I've shared my ladies' eggs with friends, relatives and coworkers with nothing but raves. I never knew how much personality these birds had until we started caring for them. My older daughter has now turned to agriculture as a career path partially due to their influence.
We keep the feed inside the coop. The door is on a timer, closed at night. I'm not sure what else to do about my latest issue with mice. We didn't have this problem last year but the drought and heat has brought them closer to home. With the cold winter around the bend the heaters inside the coop will likely just make my problem worse. Any suggestions? Hanta virus is a real concern.

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, again!

 

[DobieLover]

the heaters inside the coop

You do not need heaters in the coop. It isn't necessary in a properly ventilated coop and is a huge fire hazard.
Seriously. Try the trap in a crate technique I mentioned in your other intro thread. It works.

 

[swampfox440]

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

 

[Tookie]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

 

[Boppo]

Glad to meet you. Hope you get the mice under control. Best wishes with your flock and all your plans.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
I had mice too this summer, and thought "maybe thirty or so". Then I found the Victor metal mouse live traps, first one $15 at an Ace hardware store, then $10 on Amazon. Today our count is 140!!! I have four traps, labelled to hold thirty mice, but no way are they that big. However, as many as fourteen at one in a trap!
Set at night with a bit of chicken scratch inside, removed and mice relocated by late morning the next day. Wonderful! There's no way we could have set enough snap traps in safe locations with this success.
Worth every dime spent! And no bait necessary, another plus.
Mary

 

[Boppo]

There is also a way to kill mice with a bucket of water and several different designs to have them flip in. Here is one, and another and a third. At least one of these can be gotten at most hardware stores. good luck.

 

[Boppo]

Welcome!
I had mice too this summer, and thought "maybe thirty or so". Then I found the Victor metal mouse live traps, first one $15 at an Ace hardware store, then $10 on Amazon. Today our count is 140!!! I have four traps, labelled to hold thirty mice, but no way are they that big. However, as many as fourteen at one in a trap!
Set at night with a bit of chicken scratch inside, removed and mice relocated by late morning the next day. Wonderful! There's no way we could have set enough snap traps in safe locations with this success.
Worth every dime spent! And no bait necessary, another plus.
Mary

You have to be sure to relocate those mice at least 5 miles away or they will return! They are little homebodies and want to get back to their families. I have used these too. They do get wise to most traps, so it seems you have to switch around.