Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[Mr Rhode Island Red]

Unfortunately, I opened the house door a few minnutes ago to find a rat eating an egg.

 

I was already suspicious as 1 egg was broken every evening when I'd collect the eggs this week.

 

I'm going to put out a poisoned rat box, and maybe some traps and check for holes in the hen house.

 

Any ideas to prevent it until I exterminate the brat

 

Thanks a bunch

 

Mr Rhode Island Red

[Tweety]

What a nasty surprise! You need to get rid of them asap and, in the meantime, check for tunnels and holes and block them up. Can you move your hen house? If so, maybe move it onto concrete slabs to stop the rats getting in.

[poppy ben grace]

You could try finding someone with a terrier to do the job. Good luck with it!

[tracyann]

I remember seeing one rat laying on its back holding an egg and another rat pulling it along by its tail years ago... No rates here I have two cats and a Parson Russell Terrier.

[Chucky Mama]

[Mr Rhode Island Red]

 

I agree, that doesn't sound pleasant

 

Update:

I have set two rat traps and i'm checking regularly for any catches, however know I can't let the hen's for their usual run in my orchard unless i want toeless (or even headless ) chickens

[Mr Rhode Island Red]

update:

 

Got one!

 

However it's a different rat to the one I saw eating eggs. I think there may be a few of them.

 

Anyhow, one down and a few more to go!

[Chucky Mama]

Well done. Just be a little careful if you are using the snap type of rat traps. I stopped using them after I caught and killed 2 robins

[Christian]

Agree with the above. I now use bait boxes that are out all year, even though we only ever see ratties in the winter. Bait boxes have been out for 2 years now and this is the first winter that we haven't had any tunnels/rat holes. The feed bill has gone down too

 

Good luck with yours Mr RIR.

[Mr Rhode Island Red]

Another update:

 

Caught 2 more!

 

I fear there may be a nest of them but at this rate, they won't be around for long!

 

Thanks for all the replies!

 

Ps. I see you changed your avatar Chucky Mama

Edited April 5, 2011 by Guest

[JillM]

I love rats as pets, but I agree you don't want wild ones in the hen house

[Mr Rhode Island Red]

Update;

 

Have caught 8 rats so far .

 

However i think there is still a few more

[beach chick]

omg, 8!!!!

SURELY there cant be many more?

[Chucky Mama]

Just goes to show that you absolutely have to tackle rats as soon as you see them as they breed so quickly. The 'live an let live' approach that some people have just doesn't work with rats. Glad that your traps are doing the trick.

[Mr Rhode Island Red]

I know ...8 I hope there isn't much more.

 

Ps. Beach chick, that was the response I got from most of my relations when I told them