4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[moomin]

That is such a shame, I really feel for you. I hope you will be able to keep chickens again in the future

[Groovychook]

Oh no, I'm so sorry but I completely understand your decision. What a nightmare...

 

I hope it's not too long before you can use your cube again. xx

[the eggman cometh]

Fingers x'd We havent seen any "furries" yet, im hoping that the smell of the ferrets and the dogs will keep them away. A colleague hat a rat problem so I gave him a bag of ferret poo, along with a blanket that had been in with the ferrets and a week later, no rats. I know it just moves the problem on, but worked for him. Shame your so far away, or I could do the same for you.

[BERTIE MCSQUIRTY]

i think by getting rid of your girls will not eradicate the rat problem as it still needs to be dealt with, personally i think that you just become more observant when you have chickens.

 

my neighbour had a rat problem, made worse by the fact that she liked all living creatures and would feed them at night , when the "problem" started moving to the garden at the other side the neighbours called the council.

 

the pest control officer came round to mine to lay some bait - he lost count of the rats at about 200 and stated that we could times that amount by 10 for a more accurate number of rats there.after 2 weeks the rats were gone as they took the industrial pack of poison!

[livvyshens]

I agree Bertie. Rats are there all the time but seem to have got bolder and brassier this winter and having hens doesn't exactly repel them. Having said that I nearly followed Hornet's footsteps. I would have done if my immediate neighbours had complained but fortunately I seem to have got rid of rats for the time being and as yet no pointing fingers. Like other people I have had to burn the compost heap and get in pest control. That's really bad luck, Hornet.

[helenmb]

Just had a thought, can't you lodge your hens with someone else for a bit, get the council in to sort out the problem (as I suspect like others that its not because of your girls and is a problem in anycase - fast food places for instance). Then when clear of 'the ratty pack' get your girls back?