What should be done if mice are in a chicken coop? - briefly
Eliminate the rodents by removing feed, sealing all openings, and deploying snap or humane live traps. Afterwards, clean the coop thoroughly and monitor regularly for new entry points.
What should be done if mice are in a chicken coop? - in detail
Mice entering a chicken enclosure pose health risks and can damage equipment. Immediate action begins with a thorough inspection. Remove all birds temporarily, then examine nesting boxes, feed containers, and the coop’s structure for signs of activity—droppings, gnaw marks, burrows, and live rodents.
Next, eliminate the current infestation. Set up multiple snap traps or live‑catch traps along walls, under perches, and near feed. Bait with peanut butter, sunflower seeds, or dried fruit; replace bait daily. For larger populations, consider a combination of snap traps and an electronic rodent control unit. Dispose of captured mice according to local regulations to prevent disease spread.
After removal, secure the coop against re‑entry. Seal gaps larger than ¼ inch with hardware cloth, steel wool, or expanding foam. Install a sturdy wire mesh over ventilation openings, windows, and any access doors. Ensure the floor rests on a concrete slab or metal platform; if wood, add a metal barrier beneath.
Implement strict sanitation. Store feed in sealed metal containers; keep grain on elevated platforms. Clean spilled feed and water promptly. Remove nesting material that can hide rodents and replace with fresh bedding. Dispose of waste in a rodent‑proof bin with a tight‑fitting lid.
Finally, establish a monitoring routine. Check traps weekly, inspect the coop’s exterior for new entry points, and rotate bedding regularly. Maintain a clean environment and reinforce barriers after each inspection to keep the coop rodent‑free.