How to keep mice in control

[pheasantfrenzie]

Hi Everyone,
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to control the mice. Last night on the video screens in my pens I noticed so many mice jumping into my birds food. I have placed bait killer outside of the pens so the birds don't get into it but it's not controlling them. I know I will never get rid of them all even tho' I would like to and I'm not going to get a cat.
We do have owls but I don't think they can even keep up with all of them. Yes I have the bait covered so no other wild life animals can get into it. Although a squirrel did get into it and that was horrible and I would like to prevent that again.

PLEASE any good info send it to me.
Thanks,
Patty

 

[Alaskan]

You need to remove all feed every night.

You other option is to buy or make one of those feeders with a pressure plate. It stays closed until a chicken stands on the plate, and then it opens.

There are a couple home made ones here on BYC.

Here is one:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/843581/my-bird-and-rodent-proof-feeder

 

[PheasantsFirst]

I find that snap traps, when reused, are most effective. I always put the out of the pens where the birds can't get to them but the mice frequent. This has gotten me over 20 a day. And I bait with peanut butter.

 

[Tony K T]

I've heard that ferrets eat rats and mice and they go right down the hole after them.Don't get a ferret,but get some ferret droppings and scatter it around your pens.Make sure your birds can't get to it.The smell alone is suppoed to ward of rats and mice.Though I've never tried it.
In N.H.,Tony.