What are these l brackets for

[torgrosset]

Hi all, I'm sure this subject has been covered before, but how is the best way to deal with pesky rats? Our hens run is next to a garden shed (with a path going between the two, so they're about 1m apart). There is no evidence that rats have been inside the run, however, I saw a rat run from near the run/greenhouse, across the path and under the shed and have since laid some bait under the shed that was bought from a hardware shop. However, the wood around the bottom of the run has been chewed rather a lot overnight and there's some evidence of digging. I don't think it's a fox or another similarly sized critter as the grawing and digging patch is too small, so can only presume it's a pasky rat. Somebody has since told me that mouse/rat poison bought from shop isn't strong enough and rats are immune to it. We don't own a shotgun nor do we have we a licience. Any ideas as to the best way to deal with the little blighters before it gets out of control? By the way, I don't think they can get inside the run and the hens food is kept in metal bins.

[Princess Leia]

Speak to pest control at your local council. Some charge (ours was £30), some don't. They will come out, assess, advise and treat accordingly. In our case poison blocks in strategic places where the dog/rabbit/chooks couldn't get to them. we did buy one of the ultrasonic repellers from http://www.rattraps.org.uk/Rat-Traps/default.aspx, but it seemed to be very limited in effectiveness. took a while to sort but all OK now.

[Grandmashazzie]

Yes we have suspicious looking activity near our WIR too.No sign of them getting in run but I suppose it's a matter of time,we have wire meld around bottom to deter foxes but I presume rats would tunnel under.We have a large tree nearby and have noticed circular tunnels about 2ins across in two places thankfully neighbours feed birds and have had rat trouble in past so they can't blame chickens for attracting them.Must try council.

[torgrosset]

Thanks for the advice, I'll get onto my local authority asap!