Illinois...

[Justso]

Yes. I have found 3 small holes (quarter-sized) since June. No other chicks were lost. I believe I may have a hungry mouse looking for a meal. Why the hens don't kill it is beyond me. Before building the coop, I lined the perimeter with patio stones (they go down 16-18"), filled it with sand, & then built the frame of the run. After that, we used hardware cloth.

It's possible the stones have shifted leaving gaps. Are chipmunks, mice, & rats harmful to poultry? I do not believe I had a weasel b/c it was only one loss.

Mice and chipmunks should be no problem, but rats may harm young poultry. I would guess that rats are not the case with you if they are small holes.
Some chickens are really good mousers, like my neighbors- they seem to catch one every other day or so - none of mine have caught one yet (that I know of) but I know they're around!

 

[ChicagoClucker]

Update, my partridge is still hanging on. Cleaned out the cage today and no more bloody poop since last night. Still have them on the Corid. I was in such a panic last night. Once I saw the bloody poop, I thought she was going to go as quickly as the GL. I didn't want to go to sleep, but had to. I am now a bit hopeful that she will make it. Crossing my fingers.

@Faraday40 I have read quite a few posts about rats making off with babies. So yes, I would say a great danger. Mice and chipmunks, not a danger, but a nuisance. I do have 1 mouse catcher in my group, Zoey my black marans. She catches them and runs so everyone else will chase her. Its so fun to watch. Kind of feel bad for the mouse.

 

[cavemanrich]

@Faraday40 I have read quite a few posts about rats making off with babies. So yes, I would say a great danger. Mice and chipmunks, not a danger, but a nuisance. I do have 1 mouse catcher in my group, Zoey my black marans. She catches them and runs so everyone else will chase her. Its so fun to watch. Kind of feel bad for the mouse.

I don't have rats or mice. It does not take rocket science to figure out why.

Nature working at its best.

 

[chickendreams24]

@ChicagoClucker
Got my fingers crossed too praying for your babies

Faraday40 I have read that certain breeds are better mousers than others buckeyes are apparently known for it. I've never seen my girls after a mouse or gopher of course they have plenty of bugs to chase.

 

[Faraday40]

I used to have a squirrel-chasing chicken, but she recently got bored of it or is off her game b/c of the molt. Some of the pullets enjoying trying to pounce on those little house sparrows. The other day I threw a grasshopper into the run expecting a comical game of chase. My CCL quickly grabbed & gulped. Not as fun & exciting as I had hoped.

 

[chickendreams24]

Faraday40 we have bought crickets from the pet stores before and given them to our girls you could try that. We first did that when our first girls were in the brooder still(we bought teeny tiny crickets) anyway that would also be a good protein boost for the molt too. Our girls also love to chase sparrows not so much now I think they're more used to them but sometimes they still chase them

 

[ChicagoClucker]

I don't have rats or mice. It does not take rocket science to figure out why.

Nature working at its best.

Apparently you have many great hunters. I have not had any rats,( knock on wood), but plenty of mice. I had mice in the garage coop all summer and the only reason I can think of is because of the straw seeds. I feed the chickens on my patio so I can sweep up all spilt food. So I will not be using straw for their bedding in the new coop. I will try leaves and pine shavings at least for the winter, but they will probably still head in there for some warmth.

I also had another Coyote visit yesterday. I will have to buy the neighbors dog a treat to say thank you, I am sure that coyote was looking for some chicken dinner at 5pm. We couldn't believe it was out during the day! Neighbors and I were shocked as I ran out with my Fly swatter, like that was going to do anything. LOL

 

[cavemanrich]

Apparently you have many great hunters. I have not had any rats,( knock on wood), but plenty of mice. I had mice in the garage coop all summer and the only reason I can think of is because of the straw seeds. I feed the chickens on my patio so I can sweep up all spilt food. So I will not be using straw for their bedding in the new coop. I will try leaves and pine shavings at least for the winter, but they will probably still head in there for some warmth.



I also had another Coyote visit yesterday. I will have to buy the neighbors dog a treat to say thank you, I am sure that coyote was looking for some chicken dinner at 5pm. We couldn't believe it was out during the day! Neighbors and I were shocked as I ran out with my Fly swatter, like that was going to do anything. LOL

Those coyotes sure can be bold. I heard they may possibly be in my neighborhood, but never did I see any. My friend goes to the I and M canal forest preserve trail .. He sent me a picture of 2 that he thought were fox. They were a distance from him. I quickly text back informing him they were coyotes. That is not far from your location. Maybe from the same pack.
Yes, I do expect my GREAT HUNTERS to earn their keep. LOL All mine are part of the TAR ,,, Trap and release program. They are ferals that are neutered and spayed. I feed them, and allow to stay in garage during winter nights. All other times, they are outside. We don't keep cats in the house. I can pet most of them and they don't run away. They will run away from strangers. They absolutely NEVER BOTHER MY CHICKENS.. I have seen mice texting other mice on their little Iphones to stay away from the area. =D=D=D

 

[Faraday40]

We have a lot of coyotes in the suburbs. I grew up in Naperville before all the development. We had many fields all around us with deer visiting regularly. Only minor coyote issues.

Now I live in more urban setting. No undeveloped land or wide open fields. We have a neighborhood coyote pack that I've heard making noise from time to time., I've also seen a coyote use the sidewalks during high snow. Each night it would would walk right down the sidewalk. We kept looking for the owner to be following behind the "dog," One night it carried an animal in its mouth. By then we knew it was a coyote. I just hope they still fear humans. The village knows about the coyotes, but unless it attacks someone, there's nothing they can do.

 

[MeepBeep]

I just hope they still fear humans.

They fear less and less, especially in urban areas since they are not hunted and thus they don't consider humans a threat in those areas... And even in rural areas they can overcome a lot of their fear, I had to remove one from my mom's property several years ago it was coming onto her enclosed porch and eating the cats food in broad daylight... And if you confronted it when it was in the yard (nearly every day) it just moved to the edge of the property and waited until you left so it could return... Said coyote met her fate once I was informed of the situation...