Mouse Problem

[aart]

Besides, snap traps are one and done.

No, they're not...release corpse, re-bait, and re-set...wash hands thoroughly. But.... Oh, yeah, they won't get multiples like a bucket will. I didn't care for emptying the buckets, and the size of them, eventually they stopped working anyway. I just have multiple snap traps set in several places(garage, sheds, kitchen). Am able to keep them under control by constant traps set. Fall needs more attention as the weather cools.

I usually get snapped by the trap when I try to use those.

Yes, have nipped fingers many times or just scared myself if one goes off and jumps out of my hand......but after the first 5 years of my 20 years stint here, I have gotten pretty darn good at setting them without mishap. Now, rat traps are another story.

 

[wyoDreamer]

Agreed, rat traps are SCARY!

We had a bucket trap in the back porch where our Irish setter had his bed, food and water. He had a doggie door to the fenced yard. DH had antifreeze in the bucket trap, so we had it under the porch where the dog couldn't get to it and tip it over.
DH kept checking the trap and never saw any mice in the bucket. After about a month and 1/2 he saw a mouse in the anti-freeze, so he took the bucket to the garage to put the mouse in the garbage there. When he went to scoop out the mouse, he discovered that mice sink in anti-freeze. The one he saw was on top of the pile - he counted 26 mice, but figures there were more of them in there.

 

[OhZark Biddies]

In addition to the other options previously mentioned....

I have a couple Victor Tin Cat traps that catch a lot mice... there are knock off brands of these too, but I was advised not to get those... I forgot what the issue with them was though...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004RAMU/?tag=backy-20

 

[aart]

Agreed, rat traps are SCARY!

We had a bucket trap in the back porch where our Irish setter had his bed, food and water. He had a doggie door to the fenced yard. DH had antifreeze in the bucket trap, so we had it under the porch where the dog couldn't get to it and tip it over.
DH kept checking the trap and never saw any mice in the bucket. After about a month and 1/2 he saw a mouse in the anti-freeze, so he took the bucket to the garage to put the mouse in the garbage there. When he went to scoop out the mouse, he discovered that mice sink in anti-freeze. The one he saw was on top of the pile - he counted 26 mice, but figures there were more of them in there.

Ewww, he didn't check it for a month?!
I just used water and windshield wiper fluid in the winter...didn't want to risk using anti-freeze. But I checked it daily.

 

[TwistedSteel]

How about a good mouser cat? Not much trouble to care for and work 24-7

 

[sourland]

I just saw Ultrasonic Sound Machine for mouse did this machine harm chickens ? I can get this easily

In my experience this is a waste of money. We installed them in the clubhouse of an organization that I belong to. The next day there were eaten acorns and mouse feces beneath the device.

Mice are frequent carriers of Salmonella. Not certain of the problems with chickens, but this can cause serious disease issues with pigeons. Get/set some traps.

 

[OhZark Biddies]

How about a good mouser cat? Not much trouble to care for and work 24-7

Wait, what?

You’ve gotta cat that never sleeps?

 

[Ebony Rose]

Mites, maybe, but probably not lice.
Set snap traps under a milk crate or wire basket or something similar so only the rodents can access them.
Is your feed in metal cans to keep the mice from getting into it?

Snap traps set with the trap side facing wall, in the darkest portion of the coop, situated where a chicken wouldn't come in contact with it. Now the interesting part on what to do with those dead vermin. In the morning, when you go to clear those traps, the mice should be dead... and you can now TRAIN your chickens to want mice as meals... by tossing the dead rodent to them and watching them play keep away with it, and eventually the winner eating it. Over time, you'll find your flock searching for, chasing down, and gobbling up any more rodents in your yard. When I moved into this house, it had mice and scorpions. My flock loves loves loves to eat mice and scorpions... sadly (sarcasm), they've hunted it out, and they were really quick about it (truth). Keep your feed in METAL cans with a metal lid, rodents can and will chew their way into a plastic container or feed bag; if you keep the smorgasbord open, they'll keep returning for another free meal (until your flock forces their extinction). The mouse and scorpion problem with this house was brought on by the house sitting vacant for over a year, and the landlord not bothering to cut the grass, which became overgrown to the tune of 6 foot high grass and weeds.

 

[Folly's place]

A good cat is worth the care, but having the cat trapped in the chicken coop overnight, not part of my plan.
I'm not deliberately feeding wild rodents to my chickens! Any they catch during the day, sure, but not dead mice in traps. No.
Mary

 

[Ebony Rose]

They'd only be a few hours dead, not like they'd sit there for days and days... heck, some might still be warm when OP feeds them out. **snickers**