Mice in the Coop

[tortoise]

We have mice, rats, and shrews in our barn (chickens are in the barn). Unopened feed bags are in the milkhouse room (open bags in metal barrels). We have a barn cat, she lives out of the milkhouse. We've never had a feed bag get chewed open. She doesn't catch much, and she doesn't keep the overall population down, but she protects the feed. A cat might help in a small area.

 

[NH Homesteader]

What about those repeating mouse traps? We don't have a real mouse problem, but we used to have a rat problem (haven't seen any evidence lately but I assume they're still out there somewhere). That was our next try. We don't use poison because of the pair of owls that we have.

 

[CrealCritter]

What about those repeating mouse traps? We don't have a real mouse problem, but we used to have a rat problem (haven't seen any evidence lately but I assume they're still out there somewhere). That was our next try. We don't use poison because of the pair of owls that we have.

Yep that's what I'm going to try...

You have owls? I really like owls !!! Do you have any pictures of your owls? Can you post them for me PLEASE.

 

[NH Homesteader]

Oh cool! Ours are barred owls as well. Gorgeous birds. I thank them for eating rodents, and they're not awake when my chickens are so they don't even bother my birds!

 

[CrealCritter]

We get rat snakes when we get a lot of mice. I also put out poison in the building i keep feed in. I don't like mice and rats.

I would be more than happy with a rat snake but I'm afraid my wife or daughter in laws wouldn't. Also I think a rat snake might like eggs also.

 

[sumi]

Gosh, I love owls! I haven't seen one in absolute ages and I miss them so much. We used to see them often on our farm in South Africa.

As for the mice. I'd set traps where the chickens can't get to them and also overnight, when the chickens are roosting and the mice are more active. Peanut butter and chocolate sandwich spread worked a treat for my infestation of rodents.

 

[Hinotori]

I use glue traps sometimes. I also have two cats that patrol. The german shepherd does the best for rats. She will dig them out if needed.

 

[CrealCritter]

Well looks like a snake has moved in to take care of my mice problem. I only got a look at it's tail - It's black with brown rings. I have no idea what kind of snake it is since I didn't see it head. I'm guessing its a
Prairie Kingsnake but that's only a guess...

It did look a lot like this Prairie Kingsnake though.

 

[Mini Horses]

Looks like what we identify as a rat snake. Yes, they love eggs!!!!! They get large. 3 killed here, 1 in coop, 2 in barn, last 18 months. Most recent on 7/6 after he had consumed 2 eggs just 2 dys from hatch and was going for more. Saw one 2 wks ago in a field near coop. So -- on major lookout! They've all been 4.5-6' long.

Notice no mice in coop -- occasional one before. Concerned it's moved in under coop....mothballs going under there tomorrow. Machete close by and ready. I hate snakes. Really!!!

 

[baymule]

My Great Pyrenees, Paris, kills every snake she finds. She is a bit physco.