Humane mouse trap

[slinkycat]

I have a mouse, or more likely several mice getting into my chicken coop. Obviously I don't want to use any chemicals and I wouldn't want to risk injury to one of the hens should they stand on, or stick their beaks into a traditional sprung trap!
There are lots of different humane ones on ebay and I've no idea which would be the best.
Any recommendations from anyone who has had success with a particular type/model please.

[Answerprancer]

These are supposed to be really good "repeating" (ie. multiple catching) traps.
All praise to you for going the humane route.
..squeek squeek :-)
http://www.trapman.co...eating-mouse-trap.htm

[what..the?]

when I tried humane traps usually made from plastic the mouse always gnawed their way out by morning. These were a lever tigger=close flap door and the tilt ones where when the mouse walks to the end on the box it tips under the mouses body weight and the door flaps down. I know the balancing 'mouse weight ones work for people but only proper killing traps worked for me., after a long time trying to use humane versions there was no other option

[Answerprancer]

I'm guessing you're referring to these ones what..the:
http://www.pestfreeho...20Trap%20CMYK_600.jpg
I agree - flimsy and expensive, bad design - I bet the world won't be beating a path to the door of the manufacturer of those !

I found these worked better (and are much cheaper/stronger):
http://www.ratandmous...MouseTraps(2pack).jpg

My cat sometimes brings in the odd mouse and sometimes they get lost in my room. The latter are what I use and they work very well (baited with chocolate).

[Rasman]

If you see a mouse it means you have a lot of mice. The problem with expensive humane traps is that once you catch one of the MANY mice and release it, although you get the feel good factor, you've not touched on dealing with the problem.
Don't be lulled into thinking mice are cute, they harbour disease and spread that bacteria prolifically as they crap and Fosters everywhere.
A chicken coop is tough to mouse proof so the only realistic way of getting rid of them is to exterminate the lot of 'em. Call in the pro's. It's the only way.

[wildwood]

Hi slinkycat. There are many good 'humane' steel mousetraps on the market which work well generally, catching more than one per night depending on the infestation.
It would however by kinder to use the 'sudden death' traps as they are a lot more humane. In the live-caught traps they are usually dead in the morning, having died of the cold.

[NazNomad]

It's unusual for chickens NOT to kill mice.

Mice are only there because there's food, so deterrent is as important as capture.

Keep feed in metal bins, turn the 'bedding' in the coop daily, block any obvious entry points (difficult, I know).

These are great traps ... http://tinyurl.com/2eyefaj ... but what are you doing with them once caught? Humane capture is great if you're then killing them, but letting them go at the end of the garden is, at best, futile.

You could make a 'bait' by mixing equal quantities of cornmeal and plaster of Paris. Put it under a metal bucket, leaving a slight gap.

The mice will eat it, it hardens in their stomach and they die. If the chickens then eat the mice (totally fine, they naturally do it anyway - or they should be) then the bait won't harm them.

[slinkycat]

Thanks for all the answers, you've all made some great suggestions:-) I've had a look at the links and will decide which trap to go for, although I'm a bit worried about a slow death from the cold as Wildwood says. As I said though I'm concerned about the hens getting their beaks or feet caught in spring traps, they are very nosy!
I was planning on taking any captured ones down the local playing field.
Naz I too am surprised that the hens haven't killed them.
Will have a go with a trap, if no joy will have to call in the professionals, either that or lock the cat in there until she's dealt with them!

[NazNomad]

I remember digging over an area for hens to scratch about in. First spadeful and I turned out a mouse nest. A load of mice scattered ... I couldn't believe the chickens, like veliciraptors.

Wait, have I just discovered something? lol

[slinkycat]

Yes I've heard of hens ganging up and killing rats as well, my lot must be a bit dopey!

[RATTER15]

To be honest, considering the stress that a mouse goes through from being trapped in one of these devices for hours and often even days, I would say that a break back trap or an electricuting trap to far more humane, instant death, no stress, no suffering!!