Sarah's a good mouser

Fat Hen · « **on:** April 22, 2008, 21:49 »

Hi flolks I seem to have a bit of an influx of mice in garden now weathers a bit warmer/dryer.

It's not just me they seem to have popped up all over here lately.

Anyway Sarah so far has caught 3. I started taking them off her but it seems such a shame and she really doesn't like giving them up.

Is it safe to let her eat them

babe · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2008, 21:54 »

i'd say yes, she's probably munching them when you arent about.

Richardm · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2008, 22:00 »

I have to ask,....seriously...is Sarah a chicken?!
If so...Do chickens really catch (& eat!) mice?!

Confused... :shock:

babe · « **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2008, 22:03 »

i assumed it was a cattypuss :?

Fat Hen · « **Reply #4 on:** April 22, 2008, 22:06 »

She's definitely a chicken (an ex batt).

I was alerted to her catching them by a right commotion in the garden.

When i looked out there was Sarah at the front, running like mad with a mouse hanging out of her beak, followed next by Elle another ex bat with Daisy (silkie) bringing up the rear.

Polly my (Sultan) was in the hen house totally oblivious (she's uncharacteristically broody).

I felt awful taking it off her as she seemed so chuffed with herself (she catches flies too). I took the next one off her too. I was worried that they may be poisened and she had found dead ones. But i saw her catch the third, so i let her keep it. But now worried about her catching something (disease wise) or getting stuck in crop.

babe · « **Reply #5 on:** April 22, 2008, 22:08 »

Quote from: "babe"

i assumed it was a cattypuss :?

and i was soooooo wrong.... never imagined it was a chicken :shock:

sorry fat hen, i have no idea

Richardm · « **Reply #6 on:** April 22, 2008, 22:34 »

That is soo bizarre!! :shock: I'm glad i'm not the only one that was slightly confused!

Well, my cats catch mice, of course, and they play with them, and the older one will then eat his...never does him any harm,...but he is definately a cat...!

treacleminer · « **Reply #7 on:** April 22, 2008, 22:36 »

Thought I'd seen something about this - Katie Thear in Starting with Chickens says"if an unwary mouse does venture into the hen-house or run it is likely to be despatched fairly quickly by the birds" - She also says that they are not a threat - so presumably safe extra protien

Free range cat food!

ness · « **Reply #8 on:** April 22, 2008, 22:38 »

I think Sarah must be the Bear Grylls of the chicken world! I presume although it may look a little unsavoury to us its her natural behaviour and as you saw her catch it, it was a healthy morsel!

Good skills!

Vember · « **Reply #9 on:** April 23, 2008, 07:42 »

My hens go mad when they spot a mouse
a massive chase if one catches it as the others all want some
quite funny watching all 12 hens running around like mad men

I'm quite Bonkers so I just pressumed they'd been round me too much

Good to hear mine aren't the only ones to do it

Mrs.Tweedy · « **Reply #10 on:** April 23, 2008, 07:58 »

I have seen slow worms and baby toads disappearing into my girls beaks but never a mouse!!
I saw a little shrew cheakily popping in for some spilt pellets a few weeks ago but come to think of it not seen him lately. . . . . mmmmm.
The only thing I would worry about I think is the risk of secondary poisoning particularly if there is a influx of mice.
Other people might be putting poison down for them

jammy · « **Reply #11 on:** April 23, 2008, 08:57 »

I cant see it being a problem to be honest, a while back Aunt Sally posted pics of a chicken eating a frog and I cant see it being a lot different apart from the potential problem of someone else putting down poison. Your call I think

poultrygeist · « **Reply #12 on:** April 23, 2008, 14:02 »

Never mind that. Get her an agent and some bookings on prime time TV !!

bedifferent · « **Reply #13 on:** April 23, 2008, 17:02 »

my hens kill mice, well i never actually see them but there is often a dead mouse in the run and the chooks have a inwardly pleased look about them

Wildeone · « **Reply #14 on:** April 23, 2008, 18:54 »

:shock: Will she be more likely to get a taste for meat?!?!?!?!? Might start feasting on baby chicks?!?!?!?! :shock:

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Sarah's a good mouser

treacleminer

Vember

poultrygeist