is a mouse dangerous??

[smom1976]

We have a mouse.. it is getting into the run and getting leftover scraps that the chickens miss..

do I need to worry.. I where I could put some bait and the chickens wouldnt be able to get to it..

Do I need to be worried?

 

[Wildsky]

Chickens might catch it!

 

[smom1976]

the mouse is about 3 inches (the body part) it comes in at night when the ladies are on their perch..

 

[Chirpy]

Rodents can always cause potential problems with disease so I'd certainly figure out how to get rid of it asap. If your chickens have a chance to catch it that would solve the problem but if it only comes at night that's difficult. I'd certainly try to catch it - use a non-bait type trap (I think they are called Have-a-heart or something), they work quite well and the they can't hurt the chickens in any way.

 

[Wildsky]

I have a tiny little plastic box trap thingie - paid $1.50 at walmart - its really great.

 

[smom1976]

My DH is trying to unjam an airsoft gun for me to try and get it..

he cant get it mouse is safe for tonight..

 

[LynneP]

Do you have cats that can patrol the coop when the chickens are out or cruise the run when they are in?

 

[warcard]

As stated above disease is the biggest problem. If they get into the feed not only will the eat it, but they will defacte and urinate in it. They can get out of the smallest Hav-a-hart trap unless you retrofit it with hardwire cloth. If you can't get out there to pick up a snap trap before your girls get up look for the plastic no-kill traps.
Remember mice mostly like to run along surfaces since they can't see great, so placing the trap along the wall you think they are coming in will increase your chances of catching it.

Oh yeah, and the mouse you see is only the tip of the iceberg.

 

[HorseFeathers]

We have a resident pair of chipmunks, Harry, and, you guessed it, Chippy. They have a hole going into the garage where the coop is and eat the spilled seeds (outside the coop but inside the garage). They aren't causing a problem and the hens don't mind, so we let them stay.

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
It's rare to have one mouse. If you see one, you probably have more. I would put a cat in the coop (unless you have chicks in there).
JMHO
Jody