Solly Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 I'm new to keeping chooks and just got two dear little bantams who were hatched at my kids school. They're living in an Eglu classic with the standard run. They're on concrete with some earth on too and tomorrow they'll have bark clippings as well. Today, we spotted a rat in the garden, running frantically around the run. My little dudes were chirping and really stressed. So was I! I've lived in my house for 13 years and this is the first rat I've ever seen. Anyway, I'm now really worried about rats getting into the run. The Dudes are locked in their Eglu at night so I'm assuming they are safe in there. I'd really appreciate some advice and any top tips on discouraging my furry visitors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 a bait box and rat poison is the best and quickest option. use the bait blocks not the best but safer than the grain based bait when you have chickens. ant feed or farm supplier will stock it try to avoid the stuff from garden centres and DIY stores as it's not always very strong or effective and most rats populations are immune to it. once you start using bait keep it topped up all the time as this lowers the chance of the rats building up immunity to it. It can take up to a month before the rats start to take the bait and you might needs to move the bait box after a month if the bait isn't taken as they can be reluctant to take it if it's not in the right spot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 The first thing to remember it is probably not your chickens that have caused them. When we had a couple we thought it was us and I went into a panic it turned out the nest was 3 doors down under their decking . Make sure you bring in all your chicken pellets and food in at night so they are not attracted to it . I had rat stuff in side a piece of drain pipe which some one on here recommended so that the chickens could not get at it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 We need a sticky for 'rats'. Every time I come back here, someone has a rat problem, and I agree... it's not you... it's just the nature of rats... they are everywhere. You don't normally see them until there is food that they have to work harder to get (like chicken food behind a mesh) Drainpipe are brilliant. I crush four blocks of raid to powder, add some poisoned grain and wrap this in newspaper and shove in about three foot of drainpipe, and check/replace weekly. It's important to know that: If you touch the poison, rats will take about a fortnight to take it because of the small of a person being so different to the context of the food... 'they' say If rats can carry poison away, they will... they are hoarders and store food. Rats climb, and hedgehogs tend not to for food, so if you can, put the pipe off the ground somewhere. You can even paint the pipe... the rats won't mind, and it'll be a little easier on the eye for you. If you are using poison.. make sure that there is a ready supply of water available away from the house. The more cruel sounding bit: If you see a rat and can reach it... kill it..!! Hit it with a spade of some such similar item. Get a cat... it'll kill rats and leave the chickens well alone. I live in the middle of nowhere, and am no stranger to rats... I hate them Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 One step ahead of you. There has been an article about rats in the Frequently Asked Questions section for as long as I can remember. Click Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solly Posted August 14, 2013 Author Share Posted August 14, 2013 Thank you everyone for your sage and sensible advice. I'm taking in the food every night and put down some poison. Touch wood, the furry fiend has not shown his nose again but I'm sure he's around and about. The chooks are settling in nicely and don't seem to have been too damaged by their encounter with the rat. It's weird because I've always considered myself an animal lover but I definitely have been having very unfriendly feelings about rats and I didn't have any guilt as I put down the poison. Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 I am the same, I consider all life sacred, well I did until I got hens and realised the red menace can be so savage. Now I fantasise about what I would do to one if he came near my girls, and let me tell you they are not pleasant thoughts!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted August 16, 2013 Share Posted August 16, 2013 We had rats here a few years ago. I used a Big Cheese rat trap which worked well. http://tooltray.com/Rodent-Control-Baits-%2F-Chemicals/136-Rat-Trap-Station.htm?gclid=CKCjxZ6Pg7kCFXLLtAodHiYAlw It's good to not use poison, but admittedly less pleasant removing squashed rats every morning. The trap is enclosed so chickens are safe with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
