Mice... or something

[jvp0719]

I have been seeing two small holes on the outside of the coup. Maybe 3 inches across. I assume they are mice but maybe not. The chickens seem to be fine. I see some droppings in the coupe that are small and round. I guess they are going after my feed. The coup has an attached run with fencing. The fencing is about 1"x2". I would think a mouse could fit through there and just go right through the open door in the coup... maybe not.

I don't want to stress the chickens with anything entering the coup and a surely don't want them to get sick.

First, what are your thoughts as to what I have? I had a squirrel in the coup a few times. He was in the feed. I covered the top of the feed shaft and I have not seen him in there since, could it be him that is tunneling? Mice? Worse?

Then, how do I stop this? I move the coup every week to new grass, so I would be looking for a mobile solution, if possible.

Thank you All

 

[madamwlf]

That sounds more like a rat. The mouse hole I found was roughly 1/2 inch in diameter. Caught the mouse the next night. This time of year we keep traps set for mice and rats since we are surrounded by farm fields. If you can set traps, that's what I would do.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

I hate Rats/Mice!

 

[silkielover92]

I had rats whipe,out my whole flock.