That's been a big worry for me as well. I also worry about the cats going after my chickens. I've been hmming and hawwwing over cats for a while now. They'd be strictly outdoor cats and I plan to get the feral type from the shelter.

I refuse to put any sort of poison out, even organic poison. If it is devestating to a rodent there is probably something else that it might be toxic to, I just don't trust it. Our kiddy pools for the ducks seem to be doing a good job killing some mice. Sad, but it happens. Will probably do the water bucket method in the wellhouse soon.

I will have to figure out some ways to protect the birds from cats. We have a birdhouse here that from what I understand the mountain bluebirds nest in every year. This year they had two clutches! Being a safe haven for birds like this is important to me. I think we will have to put this nest on a tall metal pole or something to prevent predation by kitty.