Chicken bald back

[balti]

Sorry not sure what subject to put this under Had a WIR for about 2 yrs - my cube is butted against it with a port and

ladder leading down. There is also a port in the back of run for an outside area - outside area semi covered. Main

concern was always foxes. PS i also have a rabbit in with my chickens. I have lately been fighting against rats getting in from the fields behind, tunnelling under into outside area and getting into main run - frightening the rabbit at night. I have spent the weekend dealing with the current entrances in. One of my chickens will not go into the cube at night for past 2

weeks and perches outside instead. I now know why. After being chuffed with my weekend DIY i watched

last night to see a rat jump up from under the cube through a gap between cube and WIR through the port and down the

ladder - when it saw me and ran up the ladder into the cube and in with the chickens.... So i think one of my girls was

spooked and now wont go to bed... So basically my cube is not butting up flush at the bottom against WIR but is

the top. so there is a small gap for them to jump up and through. Does anyone else have this problem ? I also

can see if the rats jump up onto cube it could just drop down too. Any idea?

[Chickabee]

Yep. Get a pet friendly rat killer, bait it with poison mixed with peanut butter and put it outside the chiken run where the rats are entering. When you know there are no rats going in, put your girl inside and close the pop hole. She'll soon get used to going in there again

[UKMARCH]

I also saw a rat around our cube once on our camera my husband made a wooden piece to go flush with the cube front and a hinged panel which flaps down to allow the roof to slide forward when cleaning. Mine is on a wooden table so nothing can get up from bottom but I imagine they could get up the nestbox drainage hole or even through the gap above the poo trays if determined. I keep some bait boxes out permanently just in case any are having a look around.

[balti]

Thanks for that - bought rat stuff today online and will start putting it out when arrives. Hate is as live on edge

of farm so poison effects the little field mice too. Anyways will shut every thing up tonight and go out and watch

to see if they are getting in still - I think i know they are climbing hedges now up high and jumping, I knew

it would only be time - its taken them nearly 2 years now to master it. I need to get the numbers down again, just

amazed the lengths they are now going too!

[Alex_LJZ]

I too hate poison, but sometimes it is necessary.

 

As an idea though, why not snap traps on one kind or another. You can make a tunnel trap to stop other animals, like your hens from getting to them. I just get a wooden box and make a rat sized hole in it then pop it over a couple of traps. bait them with something tasty and bobs your uncle....

[balti]

I like your thinking - but i don't think i could cope with that. At least with poison that mooch off and die elsewhere -

well normally, they normally take their last step in full view in my garden I have dogs and they can get into the

hedges and field behind house . . . . . . I think i can just about cope with poison blocks in containers! I must admit

its getting me down . . . . when you fighting off rats it makes you wonder if its all worth it!

[Alex_LJZ]

Hmm. Problem is that if you poison them and then the dogs get the dead or dying rats you could have a problem. Not to mention birds of prey or scavengers. Or, you get one dead or dying in your garden but where you can't get to it and it will smell.

 

Go with traps, you will very quickly get used to dealing with the dead rats. More hygienic, more humane, better for wildlife and the environment. Buy some long thick gloves and that will remove you from the business end a bit. Some even have a lever so you can open them with a stick and need not even get close.

[Alex_LJZ]

Sorry, that sounded a bit negative and condescending. I know it is difficult. Worth getting through it though in my view.

[Beantree]

It was a few months ago that someone posted about 'foot trauma', which seemed to be the result of rats chewing the chickens feet off at night! So I guess you need to get rid of the rats quickly.

[Guest]

I don't have a rat problem but young squirrels found a way into the run exactly the same as your ratties, a gap between run port hole and cube door.

 

We got some oddments of wood that we cable tied to the run which left zero gap. We keep an eye on the wood bits to check for gnawing but so far it has worked.

 

I second the death trap rather than poison as I think poison is horrible.

[balti]

Thanks so much for your answers - im not taken with either option to be honest but im sure no one is . . . . . But

i understand the problems with poison - but i dont think i can empty traps either - Then last night fox is back.

Maybe he will scare the rats off.

[redcharlie43]

Could you post a picture of your setup? I have a cube and 1M run against the cube and there is no gap. Do you have your cube bitted right up to the WIR?

[Chickabee]

Rats will still get in. I've no gaps in mine but they still got in

[Alex_LJZ]

The standard omlet cage holes are big enough for a

rat. Also, they will push under the bottom even with the fox proof section.

[balti]

Yes i have my cube butted against a WIR with a port hole and ladder. I think maybe the WIR isn't level. I have been

out there tonight and made it tight with wire etc but your right the B*******s get in anyway. They are the size of

small dogs too.

 

Anyways we live on edge of a farm with fields all around.... The chickens are just bringing them in !

[Chickabee]

This might sound strange, but what about covering your run with chicken wire