Raise Mice for Feed

[jessifl]

I am always looking for ways to cut cost and my dependence on outside resources. I tried raising fish for the flock but just didn't take well.
I am becoming more and more interested in raising mice. My girls are true pasture raised and will destroy any mouse, snake or anything else they can catch.
We have tons of field mice around the property and I could easily catch a couple to start with.
Has anyone done this or knows of anyone doing this? During the winter this would be an awesome protein boost.
I think as long as I start with healthy mice I shouldn't have to worry too much about disease.
Any input!?! Thanks

 

[NonnasBabies]

I'm really not sure if mice have the nutrients that they need to lay properly.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

 

[HuskerHens18]

It would take a lot of nutrition research on your part, because I haven't a clue. Mice are usually a "fun treat" for them to find here, not an actual diet.
Personally, I would not feed them mice as their meals. I feel better knowing they get what they need in their Layena feed + free ranging.

But hey, you do you. If you want to try it, then by all means, go do it! Maybe we'll all learn something.

 

[jessifl]

Sorry I didn't mean as a main feed but as a cheap way to keep protein in their diet during winter. More as a supplement. My cost go way up during winter adding sunflower seed and peas plus more fish meal to their feed during cold weather. I make my own feed. Thanks for the quick input!

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Sorry I didn't mean as a main feed but as a cheap way to keep protein in their diet during winter. More as a supplement. My cost go way up during winter adding sunflower seed and peas plus more fish meal to their feed during cold weather. I make my own feed. Thanks for the quick input!

I think it is a great idea if in fact you raise the rodents. I would go with pet store/snake food rodents. Trapping and breeding wild mice might create a bio hazard situation. We had a couple snakes 30+ yrs ago. We bought white mice from our local pet store. Had to whack them in a bag to disorient them so they would not escape at feeding. Are you up to the task of whacking rodents?

 

[Fishkeeper]

Why not raise crickets or mealworms instead? Easier to raise in small containers, lower risk of infestation if they get out, and they don't feel pain when the chickens tear them apart. Plus, I'm not sure chickens usually get all that much meat in their diet. Bugs, sure, but I can't imagine most have a steady supply of mice.

 

[ronott1]

X2!

Meal worms or soldier fly larvae are better for the chickens. I would also be afraid of introducing a disease from the mice

 

[jessifl]

I think it is a great idea if in fact you raise the rodents. I would go with pet store/snake food rodents. Trapping and breeding wild mice might create a bio hazard situation. We had a couple snakes 30+ yrs ago. We bought white mice from our local pet store. Had to whack them in a bag to disorient them so they would not escape at feeding. Are you up to the task of whacking rodents?

You might be right about the bio hazard. Oh yes I am not worried about that. I often whack mice with shovels or compost forks, whatever I have around to give to the chickens. That's where the idea came from.

 

[lazy gardener]

I would not raise wild mice b/c of the issue of disease. They carry a lot of diseases, not to mention them being a host for the red mite that can cause so much trouble in a coop.