Mice in Shed

[tish_matt]

We are using a portion of our shed for the coop. I JUST spotted a mouse and some mouse poop in the nesting box. Chickens will be going permiently into the coop in a week.

Do i need to take the mice out? or what? Will they harm the chickens in anyway? I checked for holes in shed and found none, so i dont know how they are getting in and out. We live in the woods so im sure there are a few mice out there.

Thanks
Matt

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Best to get rid of the mice. They carry diseases and waste precious feed. I feel you pain, I'm dealing with the nasty critters as well. But on the bright side, at least your birds haven't moved in yet. So you can deal with the mice without worrying about your ladies. I, unfortunately, do not have that option. Good luck.

 

[JPHorvath]

Don’t use poison to kill the mice!!! If you have cats the cats can become poisoned too. Equally as bad would be if the chickens became exposed to the poison.

Snap traps or Glue boards work well.

If my chicken come across a mouse or chipmunk they will kill it then fight over it to eat it. My wife has seen them rip a chipmunk into shreds. I’m sure this can’t be good for the chickens, possibly get worms or some disease.

 

[MetalSmitten]

Quote:
a chicken is naturally omnivorous, eating a mouse or chipmunk is perfectly normal and is usually healthy for them

(unless of course, they've been poisoned) they peck around in the dirt all the time, they will always be exposed to worms and disease. a healthy bird is normally able to keep these pathogens in check with little to no outside assistance, except perhaps an occasional worming, depending on the birds and the owner's beliefs

that said, mice eat the feed, poop in the feed, attract snakes etc, and could in theory harm chicks (though this has never happened to me personally) so i'd still try to keep them under control. good luck!

 

[schellie69]

My 2 dogs catch and kill the mice I have seen my chickens eat a mouse whole. I figure if you look at the wild chickens in New Orleans they are eating what ever and doing fine. As long as you don't set poison you should be fine use traps of some kind. Chickens are more then likely going to get worms from earth worms and other bugs that carry worms. I would think about a good mouse cat if you want to go that way.