Mice

[djronron]

Starting to get cold here in south Louisiana. Noticed a couple of field mice around the coop, guess they are looking to stay warm in the hay. What can I use to keep them out.
Thanks in advance

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Starting to get cold here in south Louisiana. Noticed a couple of field mice around the coop, guess they are looking to stay warm in the hay. What can I use to keep them out.
Thanks in advance

Keeping mice out is a challenge - any gap at all (keep in mind, they can go through seemingly impossibly small spaces) will have to be sealed off, hardware cloth is a great tool. Do you have an enclosed run or does the coop open to a free range area for the birds and, if no run, do you close the coop up at night?

 

[djronron]

Open for free range.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Open for free range.

Unfortunately that is going to make mouseproofing difficult. The best thing you can do is make it as unattractive as possible -- remove feed at dusk and replace at dawn to avoid drawing the mice in for an all-night buffet, keep attractive mouse hiding spaces to a minimum as much as possible, etc. Do you have a nice barn cat that would like to live around the coop?

 

[BBQJOE]

Starting to get cold here in south Louisiana. Noticed a couple of field mice around the coop, guess they are looking to stay warm in the hay. What can I use to keep them out.
Thanks in advance

Maybe if you got some chickens, they'd chase the mice out of the coop.



Oh, wait.

 

[djronron]

BBQ JOE

SOUNDS LIKE U R A DALLAS COWBOYS FAN!!!!!!! OH WAIT, THEY DON'T SCORE EITHER !!!

 

[BBQJOE]

BBQ JOE

SOUNDS LIKE U R A DALLAS COWBOYS FAN!!!!!!! OH WAIT, THEY DON'T SCORE EITHER !!!

I theen I missed the joke.

 

[aart]

Quote: Keep feed in metal can with tight lid.
Put traps around where birds can't get into them.
Keep coop bedding stirred up, especially under 'things'...
.....I found tons of shed feathers and chewed up paper towel under a portable nest and ramp when I cleaned coop a few weeks ago.
Never really took up residence as I saw the torn paper towel and set traps, caught mouse next day.