Rodent Control

[Stacykins]

So when I picked up the duck eggs this morning where the ducks lay, the eggs had mouse droppings stuck to them. I honestly haven't had a problem with mice...until now.

How can I go about dealing with mice in the coop? Without hurting the chickens?

I AM going to build a barn owl box or two (since multiple barn owls can nest in an area with no conflicts), by the way, and mount in tall elm trees. But it can take a couple of years until a pair decides to nest there. I'd rather not get a mouser cat, because they often kill songbirds, and we have plenty of those around here. Plus, how do I teach a barn cat not to attack chickens and/or chicks?





I really like this plan. But how would I best attach it to a tree trunk? There are no branches to support it.

 

[Blooie]

This sounds pretty good in theory. But don't forget that owls also prey on chickens...they'll take an easy meal in the form of a chick or duckling in a New York minute! Unless your coop and run are covered securely, you may be inviting the very problem that you're concerned about with cats.

Without seeing your setup it's kind of hard to offer any solutions for you. But I can tell you what we did. We reinforced the bottom 2 feet of our run with both 1/2" and 1/4" hardware cloth. The reason for both is that the 1/4" isn't as heavy duty as the 1/2", but the 1/2" will still let mice in. They only need a space that big to gain entry. The addition of a band of the 1/4" mesh takes care of that. Then the hardware cloth extends outwards at the bottom of the run to form an apron. We did the same thing on our coop - We have 1/2" hardware cloth extending out to form a dig-proof apron and it runs up the sides of the coop with a small width of 1/4" at any vulnerable spots.

I always read about how expensive hardware cloth is to buy, and it is. But when I take into account the money I spent on chicks, on building a good, sturdy coop, on food and medicines for my girls (and Charlie), it seems worth it to protect what I already have invested.

 

[CopperFlock]

Blooie, I like your idea about the dig proof apron. I've wondered how I'd manage that but your solution makes sense.My coop will be built on an existing concrete pad so that's a help. My most concerning predator will be coyotes..

 

[Blooie]

Blooie, I like your idea about the dig proof apron. I've wondered how I'd manage that but your solution makes sense.My coop will be built on an existing concrete pad so that's a help. My most concerning predator will be coyotes..

I'd like to take credit for the apron, but it's something I learned right here on BYC before we built our coop. So many good ideas - so little time! LOL

 

[CopperFlock]

I can understand that!
Planning the coop occupies my brain...gives me something positive to focus on...as we have lost 2 family members in April. Its a struggle even on "good" days...but it'll pass-eventually.

 

[Stacykins]

This sounds pretty good in theory. But don't forget that owls also prey on chickens...they'll take an easy meal in the form of a chick or duckling in a New York minute! Unless your coop and run are covered securely, you may be inviting the very problem that you're concerned about with cats.

Without seeing your setup it's kind of hard to offer any solutions for you. But I can tell you what we did. We reinforced the bottom 2 feet of our run with both 1/2" and 1/4" hardware cloth. The reason for both is that the 1/4" isn't as heavy duty as the 1/2", but the 1/2" will still let mice in. They only need a space that big to gain entry. The addition of a band of the 1/4" mesh takes care of that. Then the hardware cloth extends outwards at the bottom of the run to form an apron. We did the same thing on our coop - We have 1/2" hardware cloth extending out to form a dig-proof apron and it runs up the sides of the coop with a small width of 1/4" at any vulnerable spots.

I always read about how expensive hardware cloth is to buy, and it is. But when I take into account the money I spent on chicks, on building a good, sturdy coop, on food and medicines for my girls (and Charlie), it seems worth it to protect what I already have invested.

Great horned owls prey on chickens. Barn owls do not. Think about the size of a barn owl, the biggest barn owl is smaller than most chickens, except for bantams. And they eat rodents are a primary part of their diet, even if other prey is available. If barn owls ate chickens at the drop of a hat, why would they have been allowed or encouraged to nest in human buildings for ages?

The run IS enforced with 1/4" hardware cloth. Covered with poultry netting. The windows are also covered with hardware cloth rather than screen. There is also a 2 foot apron buried underneath the soil on the outside of the run. My problem is not with larger predators which my coop has deterred, but mice.

 

[Blooie]

Great horned owls prey on chickens. Barn owls do not. Think about the size of a barn owl, the biggest barn owl is smaller than most chickens, except for bantams. And they eat rodents are a primary part of their diet, even if other prey is available. If barn owls ate chickens at the drop of a hat, why would they have been allowed or encouraged to nest in human buildings for ages?

The run IS enforced with 1/4" hardware cloth. Covered with poultry netting. The windows are also covered with hardware cloth rather than screen. There is also a 2 foot apron buried underneath the soil on the outside of the run. My problem is not with larger predators which my coop has deterred, but mice.

I believe I said "chicks and ducklings" and a barn owl will indeed take the very small, young ones if it can get at them, especially if it has a nest of little ones to feed. I did specify that the precautions we took were to deter mice. I also said that without seeing your setup it was hard to offer solutions. I apologize if it sounded like I was being critical of your coop/run.