What do I have?

[jvp0719]

I move my Coop & Run weekly. Every time I move it, the next morning, I have a hole, about 6 inches away from the coop, about 2-3 inches wide. It tunnels into the coop and inside, I have a mound of loose dirt. I thought it was a mouse, but I think the hole is too large and I am not sure they would push all that dirt in the coop. I thought maybe a rat but we typically don't have rats by me, not to say there are none.....

No chickens are harmed, but it seems that whatever it is, is enjoying my Organic Feed..... Also, only seems to be occurring at night.

So, I am wondering if anyone has any thought on what I have, also, how to prevent/get rid of it.

Thanks

 

[Double Laced]

Rats.They vary in size from gerbil to chinchilla size and like chicken food.

 

[jvp0719]

They will tunnel like this and deposit the dirt in a pile on the inside of the coop?

 

[lilhippiemomma]

I've been having the same problem! I've set up traps, but haven't caught anything.

 

[redsoxs]

I've been having the same problem! I've set up traps, but haven't caught anything.

I agree - sounds like a rat.

What kind of traps are you setting, lilhippiemomma?

 

[lilhippiemomma]

I've been alternatively using havaheart traps and old fashioned spring-loaded rat traps. I've also been letting my cat that thinks she's a chicken into the coop at night. She has actaully managed to get mice and voles, but no rat thus far.

 

[patvetzal]

Around here those holes would have been made by a chipmunk. No danger to chickens but they will carry away a whole pile of food.....

 

[jvp0719]

I am really getting annoyed at the food disappearing and also worried about eggs. They should start laying in the next month.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Maybe remove the feed in the evenings (and collect all eggs before night fall, when they start laying), that might encourage whatever it is to find food somewhere else? I've heard of rats removing birds toes, so I'd be wanting to get rid of them. Search "bucket trap" and give that a go, since your thief seems to be food motivated. Good luck!

 

[babsbag]

I would say mole, vole, gopher, or ground squirrel.