mouse killers

[robinm609]

Today I witnessed my chickens kill and consume a mouse. A very brutal sight, as they pulled the poor little thing apart. Should I be concerned that they ate it? Can they get diseases from such behavior?

My outdoor cats catch and eat rodents all the time, without any ill-effects, but should I now worry about my chickens' health?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Welcome to the wonderful world of having a flock of velociraptors! The ills that *could* result are the same as those your cats may encounter - infections of parasites from the consumed mouse (ie worms). Really nothing to be concerned about and, short of confining the birds in a totally mouseproof enclosure, nothing you can prevent. Monitor the flock for parasite issues the same as you should anyway and treat if/when it becomes necessary.

 

[aart]

Cats are probably more at risk from mammalian pests in/on mice than the chickens are.

 

[Coyox]

I wish my chickens would forage mice.

 

[Gray Farms]

Chickens LOVE mice!!

 

[bobbi-j]

Chickens LOVE mice!!

Mine haven't gotten that memo yet. I lifted up the heated water bowl one day, two mice ran out right past a couple of my chickens and they just stood there and watched them go... My dog, however, at least makes an effort to catch them.

 

[Weehopper]

A good way to get Cocci is from earthworms, as a matter of fact. They have dirt going through their bodies, and Cocci lives in dirt.

 

[aart]

A good way to get Cocci is from earthworms, as a matter of fact. They have dirt going through their bodies, and Cocci lives in dirt.

<scratcheshead> what does cocci and earthworms have to do with topic of mice?

 

[ejcrist]

Today I witnessed my chickens kill and consume a mouse. A very brutal sight, as they pulled the poor little thing apart. Should I be concerned that they ate it? Can they get diseases from such behavior?

My outdoor cats catch and eat rodents all the time, without any ill-effects, but should I now worry about my chickens' health?

Nothing at all to worry about. I catch mice in live colony traps and feed them to my birds - they love 'em. One time I was cleaning my RIR pens and found a whole nest of about 15 baby mice under a water fount and the birds gobbled them up in just a few seconds. I was able to skip the meal worm treat that day.

 

[aart]

Quote: Live or dead traps?
I tried live traps, not much luck, only once...but give freshly snapped carcasses and they enjoy them.