Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[serenlas]

I've just been chatting to my nextdoor neighbour. Apparently there are rats living at the end of the gardens on our bit of street, and the first thing another neighbour was asked on ringing environmental health was "Has anyone got chickens?" That would be me then

 

We DID have a rat problem for quite a few months. It started before we got the chooks, they seemed to be nesting down the side of the garage. I noticed tunnelling in the compost bin and there were signs of tunnelling into the coop too. I saw/heard them on occasion. However a couple of months ago now I dug up the contents of the compost bin and since then there's not been a single tunnel. I also haven't noticed any tunnels into the coop for around the same length of time, so I figured they'd moved on. And now I know where to - the neighbours gardens!

 

I must admit I have been rubbish at bringing in the grub & glug at night, so I will start by doing this religiously from now on. I've had a read through the rats post on here, but to be honest I really don't think they're in my garden any more, so aside from removing the food just incase I'm not sure I can do much more to deter them. My neighbour said "I just thought I'd let you know because I like the sound of the chickens and I'd hate you to have to get rid of them." Could environmental health actually force me to do that?! I don't want to annoy my neighbours, but I love my hens!

 

Thanks in advance x

[Olly]

They can't force you to get rid of the chickens because someone else in the street has got rats. Yes, you will probably find them asking questions, but unless they could prove a link between your hens and the rat problem, they can't do anything - and that would be very difficult to do.

 

I know lots of people who have had rats in the garden, and none of them has chickens! Bird tables and compost heaps are just as likely to be the source of food. I've had hens for five years on the other hand, and never had a rat problem.

 

Environmental health can only step in if your hens are causing a 'nuisance' - and because they are well cared for, and because you don't leave food out overnight then there's nothing they can do.

[abwsco]

Might also be an idea to put out some rat traps. When EH visited me re the cockerels he said that was a good idea so if someone complained about rats and my chickens it wouldn't be a problem.

[sjp]

as long as you can demonstrait that yoy are taking steps to control any rats that might be on your land or comeing onto your land i.e by the use of bait boxes which are kept baited or traps through traps can be a bit hit and miss then about all they can do is give extra pointers like telling you to keep the feed in rat proof bins not to leave a food source out at night and to clean up any spilt feed. you wont completly get rid of rats only keep them controlled I'm down to refilling the allotment boxes about every 8-10 weeks or so now they get hammered for a few days then nothing for a few weeks the it starts again as new rats move in

[serenlas]

Thanks all. I do have a lockable bait box with these little pink cubes that look like they've already been nibbled, if you see what I mean.. my mum recommended them. They did get nibbled on a bit but didn't solve the issue at all. However, if I try it again, at least if EH come a'calling I'll be able to show them what I'm doing

[clucker1]

If your bait is only being nibbled, it is very minor. If they are gobbled, there are loads of them. Rat expert xxx

ps if nibbled, it might be mice...check out the poo around, do a google search on the subject if you are unsure of the difference between rat and mice poo.

[sjp]

you need to keep the bait out all the time and once you find the spot that they take bait in then leave the box in that spot thats what I was told when I first took the task on and it seems to work rats like a safe regular food source it also helps you to keep a check on whats happening but if you only have a small amount been eaton then you don't have to much of a problem. the 2 months I baited the allotment I used 10 kg in 7 bait boxes and that include the month it took the rats to start to take the bait it took over 6 months to use the other 10 kg. takes about 14 months to use 10 kg now unless the 2 legged rats take the bait