Keeping Mice and Rats Out of Your Coop
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.พ. 2022
- To many chicken keepers and communities, mice and chickens go hand in hand. This is a complete misconception. In fact... a well-educated chicken keeper will have LESS mice in their backyard compared to a regular backyard. Watch our video and follow our advice and we can guarantee that mice and rats will be eliminated from your coop and backyard for ever! Together lets bust this mice myth and restore the communities’ faith in chook keeping.
Don't you hate it when you find a channel that you LOVE, and you keep checking back for new videos... like every few hours 😁😂😂 Thanks Grant and Sophia!! Can't wait for the next one. Your garden and chickens/ducks/quail are inspirational.
Thanks Patricia! You have made Sofia and my day! We are currently working on a video to teach chicken keepers how to identify if your chook is suffering from rat bites compared to moulting using a harmless chemical reaction. Then teaching keepers how to make their own Blue Kote (chicken antiseptic which does not get pecked at) I noticed there are no resources on youtube on this topic 😀Thanks again - Grant and Sofia😇
It will be posted Sunday night 😇😇😇
@@futurefarmers8554 Oh, that sounds great! Looking forward to it!! Thanks heaps! that's something I could use right now. My ladies went of the lay about a week ago. I though they were grieving, as we lost a hen that same day. But I have just noticed yesterday and today that the coop and the yard are COVERED in feathers... so maybe molting.... I checked for pecked legs and combs after this video and didn't see anything... but something to check and make sure would be great. :)
I have to disagree about “you shouldn’t have chickens if you can’t do this same feeding routine everyday”. Our small backyard flock is kept in their coop and run most the time, we can not let them free range the yard all day everyday because of our hunting dog, hawks/predators, and the weather isn’t nice enough all the time to do so. We also have a large garden in the back yard we can’t let them have access to all day long. So I wouldn’t want 100% of their diet to be just their feed rationed out in exact increments with a 20 minute opportunity to eat, since they can’t spend the rest of the hours of the day foraging around. I spend a lot of time taking care of our chickens but it’s not realistic for us to do that daily routine for feeding them, that’s pretty tedious. And there are often times where we are not home-leave town- so it wouldn’t work then, a feeder in the run is needed. Lastly that feeding system is unfortunate for the ones like your black silkie who gets bullied away from the feed, she didn’t get any feed! If it’s perfectly rationed out for them to get their daily requirements but the ones at the bottom of the pecking order don’t get their ration, that’s a flaw in the feeding method. Just don’t think it’s fair to say no one should have chickens if they don’t take the time to feed them this way everyday.
I started using your chicken feeding method a week ago, works a treat. I’ve had an ongoing battle with squirrels, and be honest, the squirrels were winning. So when I saw your method I thought this could be the answer. And it is, hens are feeding well and the squirrels have moved on to greener pastures. So easy to implement, just takes a bit of time twice a day. Thanks from South Carolina
Thank you very much! I needed to know this before I begin raising only 2 or 3 hens beginning in the Spring of 2023. Your video has educated me with the knowledge to implement proper feed and storage methods right from the start.
Cheers from Texas, USA. 🖐️😎
Poor kid, you've jumped in & finished her sentences. Let her talk, I know she's slow & the video needs to be a bit fast paced, but she will get her confidence. She obviously has more knowledge of chickens n ducks & rats n mice than I ever will. Good informative video. Thanks.
Thanks Allison, I will take your advice on board. Let me know if there is any improvements in future videos. Have a great day. Sofia loves the idea to talk more!
@@futurefarmers8554 I've been loving watching your informative vids & subscribed 📺👍🎶
Putting this into play tomorrow! Thank you 😊
No problem! Thanks for the comment. Let us know how it goes. If you have any questions or would like videos on any specific topics let us know. Enjoy your day. Sofia and Grant
We had the grandpa feeder and the Norway rats here figured out how to trip the latch and enjoy the feast inside. As soon as I saw it, we switched back to hand feeding. Sorry rats, kitchen is closed!
Great video, very informative. Had 3 isa chickens for about 6 mths now and started getting some mice droppings in the coop, so this has been great. The girls seem to have no problem foraging either, spend most of the day picking at anything they can find and eating the grass (you mentioned isa's, been cage bred, don't forage well). Thanks.
Thanks for the comment Steve, appreciate the feedback. We felt Isa Browns would be good foragers - but could not share this as we have never had the breed. Isa Browns are pretty divisive - people either love them or hate them. What are your experiences regarding their lay rate over time? Some report a drastic drop in egg production over 2 years. Have you had any aggression problems with them? Sofia and I were called over at a chicken keeper's house last weekend to sort out a violence problem with them - it turned out the owner was not providing enough protein in their diet. Thanks again for your comment. Grant and Sofia 😀😇
@@futurefarmers8554 hey guys, only had them for 6 months and since they started laying had 3 eggs every day. They all get on pretty well, occasional fight but nothing serious. One is more dominant and vocal then the other 2, but all in all they're pretty good. These are our first chickens, had them since 2 days old, son got them for a tafe project and decided to keep them.
Wow love you approach to this video. Great job. Thank you!
Thanks Alexa, we do put in a lot of time researching and creating the structure of our videos. Really appreciate the feedback.
Thank you, I learned a lot. You two make a fantastic team! Good job daddy and daughter.
Thanks Winnie, we appreciate your lovely feedback. Feel free to ask any questions you may have regarding poultry or plants. Thanks again Sofia and Grant
I definitely don’t want food in my new chicken house (coop tour going up on my channel soon. However, we get snow, wind and ice in our winters so we are trying to figure out the best way to handle the food and water outside during gross weather. Also, according to revised ordinance restrictions, we aren’t supposed to let hens free range although I’ve ignored that rule completely 😂
G'day mate, I agree totally about ignoring that concil rule 100%! Have you checked the youtuber 'Goldshaw Farms' his channel has some amazing videos about how he cares for his poultry in extreme weather. Worth checking out. I would also look into agricultural heat mats. They only heat up to 64.4 degrees farenheit making them fire safe. I imagine they would help stop water freexzng over. What chicken breeds are you keeping?😀
We live in the mountains and solved our water freezing issue using a fish tank thermometer. I turn power on to the coop in the winter and use 1 LED light bulb for light so there's no chance of heat setting off a fire.
BEST video ever, wish I had seen it a year ago. I'm implementing it tomorrow morning even it's too late, I found mouse droppings today.
What are your recommendations for chickens who cannot free range?
We live in a forest so our 4 chickens are limited to their run that is covered with a net. I let the older girls that I can reliably call back to the run range on the grass next to the run, but only for +/- 30 minutes while I'm doing the daily tasks and can keep an eye on them.
We currently don't have mice or rats in the coop itsself, but they are digging tunnels underneath the run and it's getting excessive...
We are making plans for a larger coop and run in the near future, and I hoped that digging and laying chicken wire underneath the run would help keep them away, but now I'm not so sure...
I am now dealing with this and am trying my best to not upset my neighbours and also to ensure the eggs I eat and distribute are not being touched by such dirty animals. This winter is when I started to notice holes in their coop, but it was an old wooden shed and because I never heard any squeaking or seen rat droppings I figured they were just pre-existing holes. but since the snow has melted away I am starting to see them and they are hiding under their coop...They are now unable to enter the coop but are breeding and feeding off of food and excrement that goes past the 2x6 flooring.
I have taken steps to further reinforce the outside of the coop and am re-strategizing my cleaning method so there is not much seepage. If things do not improve ill probably end up lifting the 2x6s and cleaning up and adding something new or moving the coop all together and raising it... I feel a big part of the problem is that they sense the chicken feed and love it. Ive had chickens for a year now and have been keeping up with cleaning regularly, so I'm fairly upset at myself for allowing this to happen...
So basically you're telling me that I'm a lazy chicken keeper 😅. Thanks for making me realize that! Mine can't free range because I don't have space. Do you recommend going with about 100g of feed per chicken or would this method not work in my case? I have all heritage breeds.
So will my adult chickens get enough food in 20 minutes twice a day if they’re in a run and not free ranging? We have 4 hens that eat about 3 cups of pellets a day, out of a hanging feeder throughout the course of the day. That feeder is emptied if not all eaten before dark and filled in e morning. Thanks, interesting video!
Hi Dan, thanks for the comment and sorry for the late reply. Assuming you have a feed which is at least 17 percent protein (I suggest something a little higher in protein, which is quite controversial in the chicken world) that should be enough feed. Always monitor your chicken health and look at the feathering, comb quality and egg production as a key to nutrition. Keep in touch and let me know how your chickens are faring. Lastly, what breeds (are they as that effects feed/conversion ratio) 😀
Hi from Ontario Canada. New to your site. I'm getting day olds this spring and was thinking I would limit access to food. Seemed to me that a constant unguarded supply would be an invitation to vermin. You did mention that growing chickens need a constant supply. How do you handle this? Thanks.
I'm also from Ontario & have 11 chickens. Luckily no issues with rats or mice.
Love the cast!
Is there any basic feeder with a battery timer out there? Kind of a pain to have to go feed the birds twice a day :-)
Last year we had a horrible problem with rats. We have Norway rat and mice here in Alabama and when we added to our flock this year, I started fermenting our food and we have no birds eating our chicken feed and 0 rats now because our flock consumes 100% of their daily rations. I've also cut out their scratch grains in the summer months because it creates over heating in the chickens body, and here we call it eating at McDonald's, i.e., it's less nutritional for them. I also added vitamins and probiotics plus electrolytes for the hottest days to their watering container. Another idea is to add frozen water bottles to help cool the waterer a bit of like a cool drink for them. The other bit we had to do was clear back brush and ivy. The only time I put bedding down now for our girls in the coop is when we have rain to keep them out of the mud and I'll make them a tub to dust bathe in with potting soil, DE, sand and herbs to help them feel fresh and prevent mites and lice. Great video, let your daughter finish her sentences, lol. I know as a parent we want to move ahead quickly, I was guilty. Your a great Daddy for teaching her and she will never forget these life lessons, I never did. 🐔🐓❤🐓🐔
I have two on ground compost bins, I wonder now how to get rid of them and possible inhabitants? I was thinking diatamatious earth? Thanks for the great video 💜
Thanks for the comment Sharyn, I would rake the compost as flat as possible and mix large amounts of lime with it. This will make the area less habitable. The ph will increase but when you eventually spread it over your vegetable patch insure you do not add more than an inch. The sheer mass of the soil will cause the ph to lower pretty quickly. When removing the compost if you come across any rat holes - scatter sunflower seeds around the hole to bring your flock over. Then pour bailing water down the hole. All the baby mice will come to the surface and the chickens will hunt them. Brutal but effective. 🤔🤥😇
All you have to do is put strong wire at the bottom of the compost bin. The worms need to come up into it to turn it over and create great compost
Just want you to feel better about the lack of a full stop at end of #2. Bullet point lists do not require full stops. Typically the points are not even full sentences, as you’ll notice looking back over your list. I really appreciate this information. I’ve never had rat or mice issues with my chickens, but I’ll be adding rabbits and quail soon, so it’s good to be fore-warned and fore-armed.
Thanks Cindy, I will take that on board. Good luck with your rabbits and quails.
So in the history of chicken keeping it has always been done your way right? Raising chickens and caring for them is not always cookie cutter. What works for you may not work for another chicken keeper. I've had chickens for a while and I have them quite content and healthy. I get your good intentions. It is not one size fits all.
I've seen giant rats inside my parrot's cage out doors. Crazy how they fit in there.
It's about 12mm gap
Hi it is basilu from 4a
My chickens kill and eat mice and rats! My rooster attacked a domestic cat that had the misfortune to enter the chickens' day pen. That was hilarious to watch. Anyway I'd still like to keep the rodents away...🎉
Thanks for the comment Jeanette! It made our day! Roosters are incredible at keeping the flock in order. I wish councils would allow residential people to have them! Nobody complains about a noisy dog... but everyone complains about a rooster! 😇🥰🤣
@@futurefarmers8554 The greatest reason, I feel, that towns pass anti-rooster ordinances, is ignorance. The call of a rooster is not disturbing once you get used to it. Also roosters go off at predators, and on a farm like ours, I just love that feature of their nature. We know where the bobcat is, for example (we have resident bobcats and bear), by the tone and urgency of the rooster's alarm. He also lets us know when one of his hens is in trouble. I love my 🐓!!!
@@jeanettecook1088 I could not agree more with you! Roosters are incredibly valuable. My wife and I have been saving to buy a property in the country for the last 14 years. (Which is why we are called 'future farmers') When we finally get land, the first thing we will do is get a rooster! Thanks for your comment, have a great day🌻😀
@@jeanettecook1088 hi, what breed do you have?
@@catalinaramirez6495 I have two hens, one rooster, all Amberlinks. They are prodigious foragers.
there are between 8 million and 32 million rats in new york city..
That is intense!
I give my 3 Hens ( Alice 11 laid an egg about 1 month ago , Marmalade 8 hasn't laid in over a year, & Olive 7 she layes about 4 eggs a week) their food in the morning after their free ranging & take it away before night.....we do have mice ...lol...My cats name is Rooster
Thanks for the comment. We love the name of your cat! How old is marmalade and what is her breed?
Sorry just re-read your message and you mentioned Marmalade is 8. She sounds like a lovely old bird. There is some amazing research regarding 'egg songs of older chickens' as all chickens have unique egg songs - often when an older chickens lays who only lays occasionally the flock will actually all sing HER egg song with her in unison! It is an unexplained phenomenon. Some suggest it is the flock celebrating with her. Hopefully you will hear this if she is lucky enough to lay again. Enjoy your day. Grant and Sofia.
@@futurefarmers8554 she's 8 golden laced Wyandotte
@@futurefarmers8554 lol....they were singing last week....
Good and interesting video. I have to disagree with your opinion on Grandpa's feeders though. I have had the same one for close to 20 years now and it still works perfectly, and definitely keeps the rodents out, far better than anything else have tried over the years.
Thanks Karen for the feedback. As you know I get called to a lot of coops with issues to medicate and remedy situations. The ones I have came across have had grandpa feeders. The issue could be because they get imitation ones which are not stainless steel or they neglect maintenance. This leaves them jammed, broken down and often rusted severely.
A couple of years back I was given one. I was really impressed with the design and functionality however it caused additional problems for our flock. The chooks loved it but became obsessed with it. This caused them to hang around the coop rather than work our orchid. We have about 140 espaliered fruit trees which they are expected to forage in. I will take your feedback on board, for a static coop it could provide stimulation and a barrier to rodents. Thanks for taking the time to watch our videos and comment. 😇
Thanks 🙏 I would love to see a video of you composting your chicken manure from coop. You mentioned it, but not sure how to do that. I have changed my ways, thanks again 😊
Any tips on keeping snakes out?
Hi mate, personally I do not have any experiences with snakes but two of may mates who keep chickens (one in Baccus Marsh and another who loves in Noojee Victoria) have Guineafowl. They swear by them. They live well with chicknes, minimise ticks and chase off snakes. Sadly we cannot keep them as pets in the area we live due to concil rules regarding noise. My wife and I just came back from a holiday in Queensland and noticed many chicken keepers have them with their flock too. Search for Guineafowl and snakes videos on youtube. My frined in Baccas Marsh swears that her Guineafowl saved her child's life from a snake last year. Worth researching.
Stuff bird netting around cracks and perimeter. They get stuck in it. But it ends them...good for poisonous snakes, not for others.
@@TheRainHarvester Put lime around it. Lime dries them and they won't cross it. Downfall is redoing after it rains.
Do the rats attack eat ur chickens??
Yes thet do if you leave food around, as time passes they become more confident and can blind your chickens and give them diseases. Look at my video on rat testing chickens to see how to treat your birds. Thanks. 😇
Hi its YT from 4A
Thankyou for this I certainly will check that there is no food lying about. I am sure you are a lovely person but your judgement of ppl who can’t do things as perfectly as you was a bit much and rubbed me up the wrong way. Not everyone is perfect and there may be many reasons that they can’t confirm to your ideas but they still have the right to have their chickens. In my opinion you are also teaching your beautiful daughter to be as judgemental. Sorry but you need to pull that up.
Hi Patricia, appreciate the feedback. I will take your thoughts on board. On reflection I may have come across to abrasive. My intention was to strongly inform new chicken keepers to be vigilant and not lazy chicken keepers. In suburban Melbourne we have two types of keepers - ones like yourself, who are passionate and caring towards their birds - and others who see them as egg machines with little regard for their health and welfare. They second category, is the minority, but they cause many problems with rats and diseases. As a result we ALL suffer with negative associations and local councils regulate and restrict our rights as a reaction. Thanks for pulling me up, looking forward to your thoughts on further videos. Enjoy your day 😀
Aloha from Hawaii
Hello from Australia. What are the most common breeds people have in Hawaii?
Great video. Another solution to rodent problems is get some cats.
Way too much work to feed
Have a mobile coop fertilize the ground jeep moving every other day food on ground
I don’t use compost tumbler or static ones my cows and chickens, pigs , sheep. Fertilize and I have no barns.
Starting my farming sir
That is great to hear. Keep in touch and let me know how you go!
All you need is a hungry cat.
I agree totally however Australia has a 'cat outside ban' meaning it is illegal to have your cat outside the home at anytime. Cats are impounded and first offence is a $464. I wish I could have some cats on our property!
ducks r seccretly chicken?!()* (writtten by ur friend nadia/gia/gabby/sofia/cristina/rithin/jacobonxbobx31)
Chickens eat Mice Mice do not eat their feet if they tried to they would become Chicken Food!" If you have a Hanging Feeder from a Chain a mouse or especially a Rat would have a hard time feeding from a Spinning Container make a Barrier with Hardware cloth or Aviaria Netting....
Please give your daughter space to finish her sentence. You talk like a nervous wife by times