Ratio of Cayenne Pepper to Chicken feed to deter mice?

[TexB79]

Has anyone put Cayenne pepper in the chicken feed to deter mice? If so what ratio do you mix up?

 

[troyer]

I use Cayenne pepper flakes with seeds in my feed on occasion. I recently discoved a partial bag of pepper flakes with seeds that the mice had obviously eaten the centers of the seeds, based on that it doesn't particularly keep the mice out or prevent them from eating any.

 

[Al Gerhart]

The only sure way of dealing with rodents is to simply stop feeding them. Bulk feed in metal barrels, a treadle feeder with a spring loaded door to prevent them from just pushing the door open (read the negative reviews!), and clean up any pathway the rodents use to get from their burrows to the food source. This is usually less than 50 feet. Get them exposed so the natural predators keep the numbers down.

But, the day you stop feeding them is the day they begin to leave. No end to the expense if you try using red pepper, traps, or poisons.

 

[SamLockwood]

I haven't seen any success using cayenne pepper: the rodents didn't seem to care. The best way to deal with a rodent problem is to get rid of the rodents. I've had good luck with "shocker" traps for a relatively small rat / mouse problem (I trapped about a dozen of them before they stopped coming around), and I've been told if you have a larger rodent problem the bucket-style traps work really well.

 

[Al Gerhart]

That is the third leg of the three processes to eliminate rodents. Sanitation, which I covered, exclusion, which is a Fort Knox coop, and elimination, the traps and poisons.

The reason that process is last is because if you did clean out a population a new batch would immediately move into the territory. Nearly all wild animals and vermin stake out a territory and have to fight to protect that territory from encroachment. Momma has babies and the babies themselves will be driven out once they are mature because the territory has a finite amount of food available in a natural situation. Those young rodents have to find their own territory that will support them or more likely, fight for a territory and drive out the current occupants.

Where humans cause problems is when we provide unlimited amount of food which causes the vermin or prey animals population to explode to the point that natural predators can not keep the population in check.

So removing the food forces them to move on or die of starvation. If you don't it is a matter of time before they find your vehicles and begin eating the wiring.

 

[abujumana]

Has anyone put Cayenne pepper in the chicken feed to deter mice? If so what ratio do you mix up?

1. • Look for holes or cracks in walls, doors, or windows.
   • Use steel wool, caulk, or metal mesh to seal them.
2. Remove Food Sources:
   • Store bird food in airtight containers.
   • Clean the room thoroughly to remove food debris.
3. Set Traps:
   • Use humane or traditional traps in areas of mouse activity.
   • Bait traps with peanut butter, chocolate, or birdseed.
4. Use Natural Deterrents:
   • Place peppermint oil, cloves, or vinegar to repel mice.
   • Consider ultrasonic repellents (effectiveness may vary).
5. Monitor and Repeat:
   • Check traps regularly and remove captured mice.
   • If the problem persists, increase the number of traps or try different types.
6. Prevent Future Infestations:
   • Keep the room clean and free of food debris.
   • Regularly inspect for signs of mice.
7. Seek Professional Help:
   • If the infestation is severe, contact a pest control professional.

By following these steps, you can eliminate the mouse problem and protect your birds and their eggs. Good luck!