Moles / Mice Burrowing into Run

[gmayberry]

Recently I have noticed two small holes (3/4" to1" diameter) in the coop's run.
This is an enclosed coop/run combination.
I've not actually seen any vermin or signs of them.
I lost a hen last week to fowl cholera which can be transmitted by rodents.
What is the best way to rid my chickens from these pests.
I have noticed some mole activity in the yard this summer.
By he way, all the other chickens are fine.
Now three hens and one rooster.

 

[boskelli1571]

Hello & welcome!

Are they burrowing through dirt or have they eaten through wood?? If the option is available put about 3-4 inches of pea gravel in the run, preferably after you have put down 1/2inch hardware cloth (wire) on the ground. That will slow them down - also gravel is very easy to hose chicken poop off. My girls have a 'Florida room' which is pebbles/small stones,, it works well. If the rodents are chewing through wood, again, 1/2 inch hardware cloth over the holes with a generous allowance. Bear in mind, if it's a 3/4 inch hole, weasel can get in and they can do untold damage to birds.

If you have a cat/dog, try and get them interested in the holes and see if they will sit/guard. Sorry about your loss, keep a close eye on the others, good luck

 

[Howlet]

 

[gmayberry]

Actually these holes are in the dirt not in the wood.
When I originally built the coop I dug trench, put gravel and sand in the bottom to level and placed concrete block on top.
Concreted anchor bolts in the block and the base plate bolted to them.
This was four years ago and no issues up to this point.
I think they may have a nest / burrow up against the block.
I do have some hardware cloth to cover the holes but I may have to pick up some smoke sticks for the holes and see if anything runs.
Thanks.

 

[RonP]

Posted to another query:

My understanding is that rats/mice are everywhere.
They will congregate and breed where there is available food water, and shelter.
Look closely around any fast food restaurant and you will see rat bait stations.

They will eventually come, the idea is to prevent them from establishing a colony.
If you see 1, there are probably fifty.
If you see two or more holes, expect dozens.

Keeping a rat trap/bait station baited 24/7 hopefully keeps the population from establishing near your food source. Once established, they are very difficult to eliminate.

Remember, chickens don't attract rats, food does.

That said, I fabricated black 6 inch circular x 18" long drainage plastic pipe as a bait station.
Placed along the outside of my coop, looks like drainage pipe (not unsightly).
I put a t fitting in the center, capped, for easy viewing once a week.
Inside I maintain commercial rat poison.

My run has food scraps 24/7.
My coop has food access 24/7.
Water access 24/7.

5 years, no sign of rats or mice...

Hope this helps.

 

[MeepBeep]

 

[gmayberry]

I have some 6" drainage pipe laying around.
I take it you leave the ends open so the mice have a way in.
What is the purpose of the capped fitting?
To add poison?
My chickens spend the whole day in the coop and free range from the time we get off work until bedtime.
I doubt there is a danger of them eating the poison themselves.
I'm just trying to picture this in my mind.
Thanks...

 

[RonP]

I have some 6" drainage pipe laying around.
I take it you leave the ends open so the mice have a way in.
What is the purpose of the capped fitting?
To add poison?
My chickens spend the whole day in the coop and free range from the time we get off work until bedtime.
I doubt there is a danger of them eating the poison themselves.
I'm just trying to picture this in my mind.
Thanks...