Hen Killed Chick

[DianaMallory]

I don't know about what or who killed the chick, but I do know that a mouse can fit through any hole it can get it's head through! Sorry about your loss.

 

[BuckNBark Farm]

If my incubator chicks hatch, I was thinking about putting in a pullet to deter a mouse from getting the chicks (they will be brooding in the house, but we have mice). None of my hens are broody yet (9 month old Silkies), but since Silkies like being moms. I thought it was worth a try. Now I wonder if they will be more at risk of a non-broody foster mom, or the mice. They will be in this huge cage as a brooder- but I don't trust a mouse not to find a way in. I can't close the lid totally, because of the heat lamp cord. *sigh* Worries about my first hatch!

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Maybe instead of putting a non broody hen in with them, you can set a bucket trap outside the brooder. Fill a bucket 1/2 full with water and cover the surface of the eater with BOSS. Provide an access ramp. They jump in and don't come back out. I think if they have a "food source" (the bucket trap) they'll leave your chicks alone. This trap has worked well for me, with all of my chickens and cats I didn't want to use snap traps or poison. Just keep setting it until you don't catch anymore mice
Nikki

 

[BuckNBark Farm]

Maybe instead of putting a non broody hen in with them, you can set a bucket trap outside the brooder. Fill a bucket 1/2 full with water and cover the surface of the eater with BOSS. Provide an access ramp. They jump in and don't come back out. I think if they have a "food source" (the bucket trap) they'll leave your chicks alone. This trap has worked well for me, with all of my chickens and cats I didn't want to use snap traps or poison. Just keep setting it until you don't catch anymore mice

Nikki

Thank you! I'll try that.