It was a warm for November. Daytime temperatures were still in the upper 60’s and lower 70’s. Overnight lows were still above freezing. We took advantage of the weather, and did more chicken building projects as we had time. We finally finished the two work and storage sheds. Both were lean-to sheds, and basically mirror; facing each other with a wide walkway in between. The gate from the back yard opened into this walkway. The shed on the right got partially walled up using leftover fencing boards, so as to provide a more protected area for bales of straw, etc and for the large varmint proof garbage cans we use to store feed in. Our chicken operation is separated into two distinct areas, the main chicken yard, and the chicken management area. The main chicken yard is about 4000 square feet, and includes two grow-out pens, each of which use up about 200 Square feet. The main hen house is also in this area, and is 120 square feet. The chicken management area includes the work and storage sheds previously described, and 4 breeder/brooder/segregation pens, each about 200 square feet. The entire project area is surrounded by a 6 ft. wood fence. Around the bottom of this fence, laying and staked onto the ground is 2 foot wide chain link, and nailed to the fence vertically is another 2 ft. high welded wire and chain link; all of which keep out fox, stray dogs, and coyotes. The main chicken yard also has an additional 3 ft high bird netting above the wood, making the total height of the chicken yard fence 9 feet.
When we finished the buildings, we knew that both areas would probably become havens for mice and perhaps other rodents. The shed without the walls has a decking type floor and a workbench, which would provide a decent shelter for mice, and the other would provide bedding for them. Mice would also eat chicken feed and spread disease, so we strategically placed a number of mouse traps under the decking, and around the straw pile. We baited them with cheese and peanut butter.
The day after placing the traps was Sunday morning; November 17th to be exact. While the rest of the family finished getting ready for church, I went out to check for eggs. When I opened the gate to the chicken areas, I noticed something scurry across the walkway, and dash under the decking. I walked through and looked in the straw area, and saw another shadow moving slowly under the pallet the straw is stacked on. Bending over, but being careful not to get my suit dusty, the shadow darted away into the shadows. The traps next to where the shadow had been was tripped, and the bait gone. I re-set the trap, and then looked around to see whether the other trap had also been tripped.
It was gone.
Missing.
No longer there.
I was in a hurry, so I decided to investigate further after returning home from church.
When I got home, I changed clothes and went outside to investigate the missing trap. I looked under the pallet using a flashlight, and the trap wasn’t there. I looked around the feed bins, and the trap wasn’t there either. Without removing the straw from the shed I couldn’t look any further.
The nest day I set another trap, this time baited only with peanut butter. For the next few days there were no more developments. I set out a larger rat sized trap, also baited with peanut butter. Nothing.
On Tuesday, November 27th I came home from work to find that the small trap that had been placed under the pallet was also missing. I removed all the bales from the pallet and shed, and also removed the large bags of dry leaves stored there to be used as chicken coop bedding. I removed the pallet. No trap. Neither missing trap was there. I looked outside the shed, and around the entire area. No traps. I set an additional 4 traps around the area.
So here are the known facts:
Hypothesis:
I will post developments as they occur. For now, we remain vigilant…… and perplexed…
When we finished the buildings, we knew that both areas would probably become havens for mice and perhaps other rodents. The shed without the walls has a decking type floor and a workbench, which would provide a decent shelter for mice, and the other would provide bedding for them. Mice would also eat chicken feed and spread disease, so we strategically placed a number of mouse traps under the decking, and around the straw pile. We baited them with cheese and peanut butter.
The day after placing the traps was Sunday morning; November 17th to be exact. While the rest of the family finished getting ready for church, I went out to check for eggs. When I opened the gate to the chicken areas, I noticed something scurry across the walkway, and dash under the decking. I walked through and looked in the straw area, and saw another shadow moving slowly under the pallet the straw is stacked on. Bending over, but being careful not to get my suit dusty, the shadow darted away into the shadows. The traps next to where the shadow had been was tripped, and the bait gone. I re-set the trap, and then looked around to see whether the other trap had also been tripped.
It was gone.
Missing.
No longer there.
I was in a hurry, so I decided to investigate further after returning home from church.
When I got home, I changed clothes and went outside to investigate the missing trap. I looked under the pallet using a flashlight, and the trap wasn’t there. I looked around the feed bins, and the trap wasn’t there either. Without removing the straw from the shed I couldn’t look any further.
The nest day I set another trap, this time baited only with peanut butter. For the next few days there were no more developments. I set out a larger rat sized trap, also baited with peanut butter. Nothing.
On Tuesday, November 27th I came home from work to find that the small trap that had been placed under the pallet was also missing. I removed all the bales from the pallet and shed, and also removed the large bags of dry leaves stored there to be used as chicken coop bedding. I removed the pallet. No trap. Neither missing trap was there. I looked outside the shed, and around the entire area. No traps. I set an additional 4 traps around the area.
So here are the known facts:
- We know there were mice there.
- We know that no larger mammals can get in.
- The perimeter is still secure.
- Two mousetraps are missing
- The only other predators that can get in are birds and snakes.
- We haven’t seen hawks or owls recently, but they are known in the area.
Hypothesis:
- Could the traps have been tripped by a larger rodent and carried off?
- Could the traps have been tripped by mice and the mouse and trap been carried off by a bird?
- Could the traps have been tripped by a bird of snake and been taken elsewhere?
I will post developments as they occur. For now, we remain vigilant…… and perplexed…
