a chook friendly mouse and rat trap is an important part of daily life if you own poultry

an easy one to make uses

1 empty 1kg coffee tin 

a smooth round piece of metal rod

irrigation tubing = 2 small pieces

1 over-sized bucket with smooth internal surface

rope

Peanut Butter

a hand full of mixed grains
or water

and a wire cage
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with the lid tightly on the coffee tin drill a hole top and bottom exactly in the middle and big enough to allow the metal rod to slide through easily - the tin needs to roll freely on the metal rod

just below the top lip of the bucket drill holes for the metal rod to go through snugly

place the tin on the metal rod  and place the irrigation tubing over the rod either side of the coffee tin
feed the rod through the holes in the bucket = trim the irrigation tubing as needed to leave a small gap to allow  the tin to roll freely without jamming 
ensure that part of the tin is able to be seen above the top lip
secure the rod so it doesnt move backwards or forwards = the rod must be secure but able to be removed easily as needed
so do not glue it in place

smear Peanut Butter on the tin and place the mixed grains in the bucket
alternately fill the bottom 1/3rd of the bucket with water

place the trap in the chook pen - a corner is best

then place a wire cage over the trap = this requires large enough holes to allow mice in but not inquisitive chooks = ensure the cage is big enough to keep chooks from getting at the Peanut Butter

check the trap each morning and if you use grains = dispose of any and all mice as you see fit - if you use water = scoop out the bodies and dispose of accordingly

a larger version can be used for rats = remember rats can jump quite high so a 44 gallon drum with a very smooth internal edge would be needed and place water in the bottom 1/3rd of the drum as a safe guard to ensure they do not escape


disposal as per mice