Cluck Kent vs. The Mysterious Midnight Munchies: A Biosecurity Blunder!

There I was, wide awake while everyone else snoozed—except for one sneaky little mouse darting around the run. My superhero senses tingled. Something was up.

That’s when I spotted it—a forgotten pile of feed just outside the coop. Jackpot!

Naturally, I did what any brave, slightly peckish rooster would do—I swooped in for a bite.

But before I could claim my prize, The Voice rang out.

“Cluck Kent! WHAT are you eating?!”

I froze, beak mid-bite. Mom had caught me red-feathered.

What’s the Big Deal? It’s Just a Snack… Right?

Wrong. Turns out, that innocent-looking grain pile was a biosecurity nightmare waiting to happen.

Here’s why eating old or exposed feed is a one-way ticket to Trouble Town:

❌ Mold & Toxins – Old, damp feed = a breeding ground for deadly mycotoxins.
❌ Rodent Poop Surprise – Mice love feed piles. And you know what else they leave behind? Diseases.
❌ Wild Bird Buffet – If sparrows or pigeons snacked there first, they could’ve left bird flu, parasites, or bacteria behind.
❌ Bugs & Worm Eggs – Ever heard of gape worm? No? Well, you don’t want to. Trust me.

I wasn’t sneaking a midnight snack—I was about to poison the whole flock.

How to Keep Your Coop Rodent & Disease-Free

After my near-miss with mystery germs, Mom stepped up her game. Here’s how she made sure this never happens again:

✔ No More Overnight Snacks – Feeders get put away at night to avoid unwanted dinner guests.
✔ Daily Coop Cleanup – Any spilled feed is cleaned up daily so it doesn’t attract pests.
✔ Rodent-Proof Storage – Feed is now locked up in metal bins—mice can chew through plastic, but not steel.
✔ Wild Bird Control – Extra netting keeps sparrows, pigeons, and their nasty germs out.

Final Thoughts from Cluck Kent

Look, I may be a superhero, but even I can’t fight off invisible villains like bacteria, mold, and parasites. That’s your job, humans.

So, store feed properly, clean up spills, and keep wild critters OUT.

And if you see me sneaking around outside the coop again? I’m definitely not looking for snacks… probably. 🦸‍♂️🐔