mice in the coop.

[annabelle08]

I was cleaning the coop out today and when I moved a cinder block (used to hold waterer), a mouse ran out of it. I had seen a mouse in the run about a week ago, but this is the first time I have noticed one in the coop. How is the best method of getting rid of mice?

 

[Labelles Velders]

Just to make sure, NO chemicals/anything that can harm the chickens. Chickens in themselves, assuming they are active, enjoy eating mice whole (if they are big enough). I assume a mousetrap that a chicken definitely cannot reach is a good option.

 

[BYCforlife]

Chickens will definitely eat mice, but all you would have to do is put a mouse trap in the cinder block hole, as long as the chickens can't get at it.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

How is your coop set up? Is it elevated or flat on the ground? I would try enclosed mouse traps.

 

[imnukensc]

Cats work well.

 

[MerryMeridional]

I have a rolling log mouse trap over a bucket with water, baited with peanut butter. I put it out as soon as I saw a mouse in my greenhouse. I caught and killed the mouse and have seen no more. The good thing about the bucket method is that they will keep falling in so you can catch multiple in a night. Seeing their dead buddies in the bottom doesn't scare them off.

Personally, I would couple a trap like this with a bait box with Tomcat, placed somewhere totally inaccessible to your birds and pets. The neuroagent used in Tomcat is supposed to have a negligible chance at secondary poisoning due to the way it is metabolized. I was reading info released by a government agency who did the testing on these poisons and am happy to find you the link if you want to read that.

 

[Sue Gremlin]

We have them, too. I don't do anything for mice as my chickens are quite capable and eager to eat them if they are silly enough to make a daytime appearance.

 

[ChickenyChickeny]

have your chickens food raised so it is a bit more difficult for the mice to get at it... mice can jump, though

 

[chantel with chicks]

Having dealt with mice for many years, I can tell you the reusable, heavy duty (plastic or metal) snap traps are the most humane and quickest death. I have had 2 mice over the years not get killed right away, but I think it was because I set the trap on a soft/uneven surface and so it snapped incorrectly before their head was in "place." Set traps along fence lines, and walls as mice like to sneak around along walls. Mice typically don't travel more then 30-40 feet from their nest, so you may also be able to search that out. Posion is the worst thing to use, please don't. Mice are just a part of life with chickens, we control the population, and won't ever eliminate it over the long term. Read about the dangers of poison in this link. https://www.audubon.org/magazine/january-february-2013/poisons-used-kill-rodents-have-safer

 

[aart]

I was cleaning the coop out today and when I moved a cinder block (used to hold waterer), a mouse ran out of it. I had seen a mouse in the run about a week ago, but this is the first time I have noticed one in the coop. How is the best method of getting rid of mice?

Put all cinder/concrete block so holes are open on both sides.
Snap traps work best for me.. along with keeping feed inaccessible to rodents.