Silkie thread!

[only1bgirl]

Please do not poison them, they go off and die and another animal eats them and dies too. We just lost two bald eagles in our neighborhood from this.

 

[Suzierd]

Should I be concerned at all with mice in the chicken coop? I have seen them scurrying around in there and it appears they are making a home under the chickens coop (house). Theres plenty of holes where they are running in and out from under the coop and eating any fallen chicken food. The food is mounted in an auto feeder on the coop and theres always food on the ground no matter how much I try to limit the mess, there always is one so it looks like a buffet for mice. Is this a problem having mice around in there or is it just normal? I dont mind, so long as they arent going to pose a health risk on my chickens. Thanks

Found this, I haven't tried it yet but looks like a good way to go.

Mouse Trap bucket

Here are the plans for the BEST MOUSE TRAP ~ EVER. You will need ~~~~~
1. 5 gallon bucket. (plastic)
2. 1 small smooth rod. I used fiber glass fence post rods from T.S., the one that has no place to attach anything. A small wooden dowel would work. Smoother the better.
3. 1 small board at least 2" wide and about 21/2 - 3 feet long. Thin is good. I used a piece of lattes. You are making a ramp for the mice.
4. A tin can with both ends cut out or a small plastic bottle cut into a cylinder. If the can has a lip cut it off with a can opener. SMOOTH is the KEY here. Can prob. works best.
5. A drill and bit the exact same size as the rod and wire. (diameter)
6. Two pieces about 3 " of sturdy wire like bailing wire or 'mechanics' wire. A cotter pin would work also.
7. Two screws ~ small diameter, that will go through the board at least 1" ~ 2". Nail would work. I used SPAX screws. Brand name. I LOVE SPAX screws ! Great 'MADE IN U.S.' OR GERMANY PRODUCT. EXCEPTIONAL
8. 2 small plastic lids. Coffee can, cream cheese, cottage cheese, butter ~ what ever.
9. One jar of peanut butter. Cheap is okay. Mice do not seem to have a discriminating palate.
10. Plastic bag to put the peanut butter in . Snack size is good.
11. Hack saw and felt tip marker.
OKAY HERE WE GO.
A. DRILL A HOLE DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM EACH OTHER IN THE BUCKET ABOUT 1' FROM THE TOP LIP, EXACT SAME SIZE AS ROD. Just below where the lid snaps on is good. If you drill near the handle, it is a good straight across guide. REMEMBER ~ drill one side on the LEFT of handle one on the RIGHT of the handle.
B.INSERT ROD THROUGH HOLES, leaving about 1 1/2" ~ 2" each side. Mark where you will be cutting the extra length of rod off.
C. PUT A DOT ON THE ROD AT THE EDGE OF THE BUCKET(OUTSIDE EDGE) WHERE WIRE WILL GO THROUGH , BOTH SIDES.
D. REMOVE ROD, DRILL HOLES FOR WIRE AT DOT, THEN CUT OFF EXCESS ROD. Don't cut rod till you drill holes, gives you a little more to hold on to.
ASSEMBLY
A1.PUT ONE SMALL PIECE OF WIRE THROUGH ONE END OF ROD BEND INTO A "Z" TO KEEP IT FROM FALLING OUT. THEN THREAD ONE PLASTIC LID ON. You can just cut an X in center of lid, no need to drill.
B 2. PUT ONE END OF ROD THROUGH HOLE IN BUCKET, PUT CAN ON ROD. INSERT OTHER END OF ROD THOROUGH OTHER HOLE.
C 3. ADD OTHER LID ,INSERT WIRE THOROUGH LITTLE HOLE AND BEND WIRE.
D 4. DRILL SCREWS THROUGH BOARD ABOUT 2" -3" FROM END
E 5. SET RAMP ON BUCKET
F 6 .PUT ABOUT 1 TBS. PEANUT BUTTER IN CORNER OF PLASTIC BAG, CUT JUST THE VERY TIP OFF THE BAG.
G 7. SQUEEZE BAG MAKING 4 -5 BANDS OF PEANUT BUTTER AROUND CAN.
H 8. PUT IN A MOUSIE PLACE. BE AMAZED AT # OF MICE IN BUCKET THE NEXT A.M.
More is not better for bands of peanut butter. Thin is good.
The way it works is mice come up the ramp after the peanut butter. They jump onto the can which rolls on the dowel / rod and they fall into the bucket. Can't get out.
THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO DISPOSE OF THE MICE. MY PREFERENCE IS TO PUT A LID WITH A HOLE IN IT ON BUCKET, RUN A HOSE FROM THE EXHAUST ON MY CAR TO HOLE IN LID, RUN CAR FOR ABOUT 2-3 MIN. PUT DEAD MICE IN TRASH.
YOU CAN USE THIS TRAP IN PLACES, VACATION HOMES ETC., WHERE YOU WILL NOT BE GOING FOR A WHILE. IN THAT CASE PUT ABOUT 4" OF RV ANTIFREEZE IN BOTTOM OF BUCKET. PICKLES THE MICE. NO SMELL. DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT USE CAR ANTIFREEZE O N L Y RV ANTIFREEZE.
I caught 16 mice in 3 nights with this trap. If the peanut butter is gone in the a.m. but no mice you may have a RAT or giant roaches. I'm working on a rat trap. They are different critters.
I hate spring traps and refuse to use glue traps. I think glue traps should be ban and they can catch things you don't want caught. I am not opposed to killing a vermin but I think glue traps are horrible.
Happy mousing. Lemmeknow if I can be of assistance with any questions on trap plans. (^v^)
ReplyQuote Multi 1

 

[Suzierd]

I would think if there's nothing in the bucket to kill the mice you and you don't want to kill them you could take them far away up in the woods and dump them. Feed the Owls and fox

 

[Aluckyshot]

I am stoked, going to check out a few Silkie roosters tomorrow!

 

[Iluvmysilkies]

Found this, I haven't tried it yet but looks like a good way to go.

Mouse Trap bucket

Here are the plans for the BEST MOUSE TRAP ~ EVER. You will need ~~~~~
1. 5 gallon bucket. (plastic)
2. 1 small smooth rod. I used fiber glass fence post rods from T.S., the one that has no place to attach anything. A small wooden dowel would work. Smoother the better.
3. 1 small board at least 2" wide and about 21/2 - 3 feet long. Thin is good. I used a piece of lattes. You are making a ramp for the mice.
4. A tin can with both ends cut out or a small plastic bottle cut into a cylinder. If the can has a lip cut it off with a can opener. SMOOTH is the KEY here. Can prob. works best.
5. A drill and bit the exact same size as the rod and wire. (diameter)
6. Two pieces about 3 " of sturdy wire like bailing wire or 'mechanics' wire. A cotter pin would work also.
7. Two screws ~ small diameter, that will go through the board at least 1" ~ 2". Nail would work. I used SPAX screws. Brand name. I LOVE SPAX screws ! Great 'MADE IN U.S.' OR GERMANY PRODUCT. EXCEPTIONAL
8. 2 small plastic lids. Coffee can, cream cheese, cottage cheese, butter ~ what ever.
9. One jar of peanut butter. Cheap is okay. Mice do not seem to have a discriminating palate.
10. Plastic bag to put the peanut butter in . Snack size is good.
11. Hack saw and felt tip marker.
OKAY HERE WE GO.
A. DRILL A HOLE DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM EACH OTHER IN THE BUCKET ABOUT 1' FROM THE TOP LIP, EXACT SAME SIZE AS ROD. Just below where the lid snaps on is good. If you drill near the handle, it is a good straight across guide. REMEMBER ~ drill one side on the LEFT of handle one on the RIGHT of the handle.
B.INSERT ROD THROUGH HOLES, leaving about 1 1/2" ~ 2" each side. Mark where you will be cutting the extra length of rod off.
C. PUT A DOT ON THE ROD AT THE EDGE OF THE BUCKET(OUTSIDE EDGE) WHERE WIRE WILL GO THROUGH , BOTH SIDES.
D. REMOVE ROD, DRILL HOLES FOR WIRE AT DOT, THEN CUT OFF EXCESS ROD. Don't cut rod till you drill holes, gives you a little more to hold on to.
ASSEMBLY
A1.PUT ONE SMALL PIECE OF WIRE THROUGH ONE END OF ROD BEND INTO A "Z" TO KEEP IT FROM FALLING OUT. THEN THREAD ONE PLASTIC LID ON. You can just cut an X in center of lid, no need to drill.
B 2. PUT ONE END OF ROD THROUGH HOLE IN BUCKET, PUT CAN ON ROD. INSERT OTHER END OF ROD THOROUGH OTHER HOLE.
C 3. ADD OTHER LID ,INSERT WIRE THOROUGH LITTLE HOLE AND BEND WIRE.
D 4. DRILL SCREWS THROUGH BOARD ABOUT 2" -3" FROM END
E 5. SET RAMP ON BUCKET
F 6 .PUT ABOUT 1 TBS. PEANUT BUTTER IN CORNER OF PLASTIC BAG, CUT JUST THE VERY TIP OFF THE BAG.
G 7. SQUEEZE BAG MAKING 4 -5 BANDS OF PEANUT BUTTER AROUND CAN.
H 8. PUT IN A MOUSIE PLACE. BE AMAZED AT # OF MICE IN BUCKET THE NEXT A.M.
More is not better for bands of peanut butter. Thin is good.
The way it works is mice come up the ramp after the peanut butter. They jump onto the can which rolls on the dowel / rod and they fall into the bucket. Can't get out.
THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO DISPOSE OF THE MICE. MY PREFERENCE IS TO PUT A LID WITH A HOLE IN IT ON BUCKET, RUN A HOSE FROM THE EXHAUST ON MY CAR TO HOLE IN LID, RUN CAR FOR ABOUT 2-3 MIN. PUT DEAD MICE IN TRASH.
YOU CAN USE THIS TRAP IN PLACES, VACATION HOMES ETC., WHERE YOU WILL NOT BE GOING FOR A WHILE. IN THAT CASE PUT ABOUT 4" OF RV ANTIFREEZE IN BOTTOM OF BUCKET. PICKLES THE MICE. NO SMELL. DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT USE CAR ANTIFREEZE O N L Y RV ANTIFREEZE.
I caught 16 mice in 3 nights with this trap. If the peanut butter is gone in the a.m. but no mice you may have a RAT or giant roaches. I'm working on a rat trap. They are different critters.
I hate spring traps and refuse to use glue traps. I think glue traps should be ban and they can catch things you don't want caught. I am not opposed to killing a vermin but I think glue traps are horrible.
Happy mousing. Lemmeknow if I can be of assistance with any questions on trap plans. (^v^)
ReplyQuote Multi 1

Wow this sounds like a good idea. I just looked up pics of the mouse trap bucket. Seems like an easy effective trap. I wonder where I would put it where my dog wont get into it, but i'll have to try it. Thanks!

 

[Sylvester017]

I was a teenager when I brought home two Pekin ducklings from a carnival. When they reached the right age for slaughter my Mom served them up at the table! To this day I can't eat duck meat without the painful memory of those two little cute ducklings growing up to be table meat! She had to eat those ducks alone!

Quote:
Oh, how sad for your DH - there isn't enough meat on a rabbit to remedy a hard time - after eating the rabbit the times will still continue to be hard! My DH won't allow us to process any of our hens and does his best to rehome even the mean ones. I suppose in my mind I understood why my Mom couldn't keep the ducklings forever in the backyard but it might've been nice if she prepared me for what she was planning instead of just plopping down duck soup in front of us! My sis and I had a few issues with her until the day she died - we loved and took care of her and knew she loved us too but there were just some things about her farm background that made her just a bit too hard-hearted for us two softie sisters. Maybe she thought she was toughening us up for life but that philosophy doesn't necessarily work well on sensitive children.

 

[Suzierd]

Wow this sounds like a good idea. I just looked up pics of the mouse trap bucket. Seems like an easy effective trap. I wonder where I would put it where my dog wont get into it, but i'll have to try it. Thanks!

Your welcome let me know if you catch any.

 

[Sylvester017]

Found this, I haven't tried it yet but looks like a good way to go.

Mouse Trap bucket

Here are the plans for the BEST MOUSE TRAP ~ EVER. You will need ~~~~~
1. 5 gallon bucket. (plastic)
2. 1 small smooth rod. I used fiber glass fence post rods from T.S., the one that has no place to attach anything. A small wooden dowel would work. Smoother the better.
3. 1 small board at least 2" wide and about 21/2 - 3 feet long. Thin is good. I used a piece of lattes. You are making a ramp for the mice.
4. A tin can with both ends cut out or a small plastic bottle cut into a cylinder. If the can has a lip cut it off with a can opener. SMOOTH is the KEY here. Can prob. works best.
5. A drill and bit the exact same size as the rod and wire. (diameter)
6. Two pieces about 3 " of sturdy wire like bailing wire or 'mechanics' wire. A cotter pin would work also.
7. Two screws ~ small diameter, that will go through the board at least 1" ~ 2". Nail would work. I used SPAX screws. Brand name. I LOVE SPAX screws ! Great 'MADE IN U.S.' OR GERMANY PRODUCT. EXCEPTIONAL
8. 2 small plastic lids. Coffee can, cream cheese, cottage cheese, butter ~ what ever.
9. One jar of peanut butter. Cheap is okay. Mice do not seem to have a discriminating palate.
10. Plastic bag to put the peanut butter in . Snack size is good.
11. Hack saw and felt tip marker.
OKAY HERE WE GO.
A. DRILL A HOLE DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM EACH OTHER IN THE BUCKET ABOUT 1' FROM THE TOP LIP, EXACT SAME SIZE AS ROD. Just below where the lid snaps on is good. If you drill near the handle, it is a good straight across guide. REMEMBER ~ drill one side on the LEFT of handle one on the RIGHT of the handle.
B.INSERT ROD THROUGH HOLES, leaving about 1 1/2" ~ 2" each side. Mark where you will be cutting the extra length of rod off.
C. PUT A DOT ON THE ROD AT THE EDGE OF THE BUCKET(OUTSIDE EDGE) WHERE WIRE WILL GO THROUGH , BOTH SIDES.
D. REMOVE ROD, DRILL HOLES FOR WIRE AT DOT, THEN CUT OFF EXCESS ROD. Don't cut rod till you drill holes, gives you a little more to hold on to.
ASSEMBLY
A1.PUT ONE SMALL PIECE OF WIRE THROUGH ONE END OF ROD BEND INTO A "Z" TO KEEP IT FROM FALLING OUT. THEN THREAD ONE PLASTIC LID ON. You can just cut an X in center of lid, no need to drill.
B 2. PUT ONE END OF ROD THROUGH HOLE IN BUCKET, PUT CAN ON ROD. INSERT OTHER END OF ROD THOROUGH OTHER HOLE.
C 3. ADD OTHER LID ,INSERT WIRE THOROUGH LITTLE HOLE AND BEND WIRE.
D 4. DRILL SCREWS THROUGH BOARD ABOUT 2" -3" FROM END
E 5. SET RAMP ON BUCKET
F 6 .PUT ABOUT 1 TBS. PEANUT BUTTER IN CORNER OF PLASTIC BAG, CUT JUST THE VERY TIP OFF THE BAG.
G 7. SQUEEZE BAG MAKING 4 -5 BANDS OF PEANUT BUTTER AROUND CAN.
H 8. PUT IN A MOUSIE PLACE. BE AMAZED AT # OF MICE IN BUCKET THE NEXT A.M.
More is not better for bands of peanut butter. Thin is good.
The way it works is mice come up the ramp after the peanut butter. They jump onto the can which rolls on the dowel / rod and they fall into the bucket. Can't get out.
THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO DISPOSE OF THE MICE. MY PREFERENCE IS TO PUT A LID WITH A HOLE IN IT ON BUCKET, RUN A HOSE FROM THE EXHAUST ON MY CAR TO HOLE IN LID, RUN CAR FOR ABOUT 2-3 MIN. PUT DEAD MICE IN TRASH.
YOU CAN USE THIS TRAP IN PLACES, VACATION HOMES ETC., WHERE YOU WILL NOT BE GOING FOR A WHILE. IN THAT CASE PUT ABOUT 4" OF RV ANTIFREEZE IN BOTTOM OF BUCKET. PICKLES THE MICE. NO SMELL. DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT USE CAR ANTIFREEZE O N L Y RV ANTIFREEZE.
I caught 16 mice in 3 nights with this trap. If the peanut butter is gone in the a.m. but no mice you may have a RAT or giant roaches. I'm working on a rat trap. They are different critters.
I hate spring traps and refuse to use glue traps. I think glue traps should be ban and they can catch things you don't want caught. I am not opposed to killing a vermin but I think glue traps are horrible.
Happy mousing. Lemmeknow if I can be of assistance with any questions on trap plans. (^v^)
ReplyQuote Multi 1

I read this bucket trap was for rats but rats are too da*n clever. Once they see or smell a struggling or dead animal in the bucket they probably would turn around on the ramp and go back down. Mice are a bit stupid but rats might be fooled once but remember forever and pass the info along to the rest of the pack to avoid traps. I know you said you don't like glue traps but that was the way we quickly caught 5 rats and mice and one Sparrow (my DH set him free and he flew off). Our Leghorn found the babies nest and shredded them all over the lawn. Otherwise it was mostly undesirable insects that were caught in the traps. The glue was the fastest way to eliminate the rats that were eating through my mesh to get to my vegetable bed and a glued rat can't go back to the pack to warn them of the trap. Since our garden is fenced off from the flock we had no problem with pets near the glue since we set them out at dusk and removed them at dawn every day. We were desperate to get rid of the rats and fast and this method worked the best for us without building buckets and smearing peanut butter around (I'm allergic to peanuts anyway). Last year we found out that keeping the patio light on near the coop keeps night critters and rats away for some reason. We use the energy equivalent 60 w fluorescent bulb.

 

[Iluvmysilkies]

I read this bucket trap was for rats but rats are too da*n clever. Once they see or smell a struggling or dead animal in the bucket they probably would turn around on the ramp and go back down. Mice are a bit stupid but rats might be fooled once but remember forever and pass the info along to the rest of the pack to avoid traps. I know you said you don't like glue traps but that was the way we quickly caught 5 rats and mice and one Sparrow (my DH set him free and he flew off). Our Leghorn found the babies nest and shredded them all over the lawn. Otherwise it was mostly undesirable insects that were caught in the traps. The glue was the fastest way to eliminate the rats that were eating through my mesh to get to my vegetable bed and a glued rat can't go back to the pack to warn them of the trap. Since our garden is fenced off from the flock we had no problem with pets near the glue since we set them out at dusk and removed them at dawn every day. We were desperate to get rid of the rats and fast and this method worked the best for us without building buckets and smearing peanut butter around (I'm allergic to peanuts anyway). Last year we found out that keeping the patio light on near the coop keeps night critters and rats away for some reason. We use the energy equivalent 60 w fluorescent bulb.

I agree rats are very smart. I actually love rats lol. I know that might sound weird but I owned many pet rats growing up as a kid and they make great pets and are very smart. Its probably why I dont want to see them caught in snap traps, because i respect them. I really dont like glue either because they suffer longer. I dont have the heart to kill them myself either. I want something quick and easy and only because I have no other choice and dont want my silkies to get sick or killed by them. I know these bucket traps work better for mice, because all the pics on line when I googled it show mice in them.

 

[Sylvester017]

I agree rats are very smart. I actually love rats lol. I know that might sound weird but I owned many pet rats growing up as a kid and they make great pets and are very smart. Its probably why I dont want to see them caught in snap traps, because i respect them. I really dont like glue either because they suffer longer. I dont have the heart to kill them myself either. I want something quick and easy and only because I have no other choice and dont want my silkies to get sick or killed by them. I know these bucket traps work better for mice, because all the pics on line when I googled it show mice in them.

Pet rats are a whole different ballgame from the wild and diseased vermin in the backyard, sewers, abandoned buildings, etc. Get rid of wild rodents quickly because they multiply like cochroaches and ants! Our neighbors and we cut down our old or dying trees, cleaned up wood piles, garages, and sheds to eliminate rodent hideaways - we live by a busy freeway and the freeway shrubbery and trees house everything from skunks, birds of prey, possums, raccoons, to various rodents. We had to do cleanup as a neighborhood for it to be effective long-term. Keeping our light on near the coop has been a major help keeping all sorts of critters away. We don't keep food or water in the coop either. After the rodent problem the first year, we started to keep the feed/water outside the coop during free-range and bring the dish in to wash out every night. We haven't found cats to be much help with rodent hunting - the roaming cats in our neighborhood seem to relish the crickets more! We had cats for over 17 years and can count on one hand how many rodents they brought to the front porch - plenty of Sparrows and Lizards, but only an occasional rodent once every 2 or 3 years. Living by the shrubbery freeway we figured there should've been a lot more caught by those darn cats!