Mice in Run: A Creative Approach

[Aunt Angus]

I change & clean my birds' waterers daily. A few weeks ago, I found 2 mice drowned in my chicken/duckie waterer the other day.

EW.

Where there are two, there are mmmmaaaaannnnyyyyyy more...

Decided to see how bad an infestation I'm dealing with. I completely emptied my coop (bedding, PDZ in poop board, nesting material) looking for evidence they were not just in the run, but also in the coop. I found nothing to suggest they'd gotten into the coop itself: no holes, no mousey poop, nothing. So the problem was isolated to the run, from what I could tell.

I sat in the run one night and realized that they were coming in from under the coop, which is partially raised to compensate for a slope. Perfect place to raise a mousey family.

What to do????

Well, I have 4 indoor-only cats. They used to be indoor/outdoor until we moved to an area where coyotes are notorious for taking cats.

Here's what's been working (as far as I can tell):

1. Switched to treadle feeders
2. Placed a few traps in strategic locations away from curious birds
3. Make sure kids to metal feed cans are secure
4. Seamus

Meet Seamus...

I've been taking Seamus out to the run every night after the birds go to bed. I've been leaving him there for most of the night. He can't get out, and coyotes can't get in (my run is a fully enclosed dog kennel).

He's caught only one, but I think his presence has been deterring them. And hs seems to enjoy his nightly field trips. I haven't seen any evidence at all of mice in the run in the past 8 days.

 

[Mtnboomer]

Nice strategy! Elevated coops (under 24" above the ground) are notorious rodent hotels. When elevating, its best to go high, but a very natural and creative solution to the problem.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Nice strategy! Elevated coops (under 24" above the ground) are notorious rodent hotels. When elevating, its best to go high, but a very natural and creative solution to the problem.

Very true! This was an existing shed on the property that we converted in a hurry. The new one I'm building later this summer will be higher, for sure!

 

[Al Gerhart]

Man, you went after the problem from all the right angles! Once the treadle feeder cuts off their food, assuming it doesn't require blocking open to train the birds, mr rat is going to leave.