Too many mice and rats

[SusanMc]

Hello to all,
When I first got my chickens I didn’t really have much practical experience, but I did read a lot. BUT not much about coop design and nothing about mice or rats.

Am I supposed to leave their food and water out at night. I always do, but Now I realize I have been feeding the mice and rats.

What is a better feeding schedule for my flock ? They all free range during the day and come back to the coop between 6-8 pm.

 

[Emelyn]

Hello to all,
When I first got my chickens I didn’t really have much practical experience, but I did read a lot. BUT not much about coop design and nothing about mice or rats.

Am I supposed to leave their food and water out at night. I always do, but Now I realize I have been feeding the mice and rats.

What is a better feeding schedule for my flock ? They all free range during the day and come back to the coop between 6-8 pm.

I'm not sure about schedule but I also have mice like you. Do you hang up the food and water? In my experience it makes it harder for the mice to get on. You should also hang up the food in the bag too (nice thing is that it makes it a lot more convenient too!)

 

[SusanMc]

No, I don’t hang it with the hens, but I do with the chicks, But I’m thinking of getting up at 7:30 to feed instead of leaving food out for them, and then removing it when the chickens go out to free range

 

[Al Gerhart]

If you are after more eggs or weight gain for broilers they need feed 24/7. Bringing in the feed at night just teaches the rodents to eat during the day. Hanging feeders do not stop mice or rats, both can jump higher than a chicken can reach.

Get a treadle feeder. You need full size birds to use one or enough full size birds that the bantams or silkies can eat from the side when they can and you need to research online before spending your hard earned money.