Moles... harmful to chickens?

[KingD]

I don't think a mole would eat chicken food unless it consists of worms.
Moles only eat worms and insect lava pretty much

 

[45lk9p459gm-w]

I’m not an expert but it’s my understanding that moles are carnivores and voles are herbivores. A vole is something like a mole. You most likely have voles coming in to eat the scattered feed on the ground. Don’t think they will harm the chickens but they will tear up the ground around a feeder.

 

[Morrigan]

Are you sure it isn't gophers? Gophers are big diggers and are definitely attracted to chicken feed. They somehow figure out where the feeders are and tunnel so that pop up right next to them. Things like raised or PVC feeders help some, but they go after whatever the chickens bill out.

The biggest problems I see is that 1) they create holes that potentially allow weasel access into the yard; and 2) the holes and tunneling creates erosion issues that undermine the coop structures and create low points where water collects.

I wish I knew how to get rid of them. I'm afraid to put poison down the holes as I fear they would push some of the poison to the surface when they backfill the hole, or that the chickens would attempt to eat a poisoned gopher who surfaced. If anyone has successfully gotten rid of gophers from their chicken runs or yards, I'd love to hear about it.

 

[45lk9p459gm-w]

Gophers are much larger than moles and voles. Their size ranges from 6 to 13 inches so if you have really large tunnels or holes it might be a gopher. They are herbivores.

We have tons of moles and voles around here and I don't know how to get rid of them safely either. Had a blue healer that tried but her "hole to mole ratio" wasn't very good. Poor dog.

 

[cats dogs chickens]

Positive, it's been happening at night when the hens are inside

same thing is happening to me. but the chickens still have access to their run however i’m assuming they are sleeping. the rodent eats all their food, poops all in their coop and makes a big mess burrowing their holes in and out. i heard mike repellent balls may be harmful to chickens? i may try one of those solar beep inserts. i’m going crazy!