newlaidegg Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 I have just been to deliver warm porridge to my two hens (bit of fuss, just in case they are missing Doris) and found that they have chucked loads of their pellets, out of the grub and ALL OVER the floor of the run. I have tried scooping it up with a brush and a spade, but short of vacumming it, I don't think there is much I can do. I am now thinking RATS will move in overnight... Can anyone please advise WHY they are doing this and what if anything I can do to stop it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Not much you can do really, apart from putting a cat litter tray under the grub to catch the thrown out pellets - then take out the tray & grub at night & bring inside. You can always put bait boxes round the garden, even if you don't have rats! It'a a good measure. I've got an ultra sonic mice & rat deterrant gadget & a good cat too! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 As Emma says - definately a cat litter tray under the grub - my girls are on mash and I'm sure more ends up in the tray than it does down their throats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 newlaid egg wrote: found that they have chucked loads of their pellets, out of the grub and ALL OVER the floor of the run. I have tried scooping it up with a brush and a spade, but short of vacumming it, I don't think there is much I can do. I am now thinking RATS will move in overnight... Can anyone please advise WHY they are doing this and what if anything I can do to stop it? One of my hens won't eat pellets directly from the grub, she chucks them out and then eats them from the run floor...VERY annoying I have given up trying to clean them up, most of them seem to disappear anyway, not seen a rat yet, hope these aren't famous last words Would freak if I saw a rat. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KateP Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 My two girls scoop pellets out of the grub if I put too many in. I tend to just half fill it now so they've got enough to eat but it's more difficult for them to chuck them on the floor. I wouldn't mind if they eat the ones that they throw out of the grub but they don't, they just leave them there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newlaidegg Posted November 17, 2007 Author Share Posted November 17, 2007 Thanks, will put litter tray underneath AND only half fill it. Worried about bait boxes, I'm sure my three year old would find them far too fascinating to leave alone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted November 17, 2007 Share Posted November 17, 2007 I found the same. I now don't fill the grubs as full. Pom just stands and shovels it over the edge if they are too full And I've now had to start bringing them in at night as we saw our first rat the other day. The traps and poison have gone down but I'm waiting for a couple of bait boxes from my Dad - they have a special kind of entrance so should be OK as a child couldn't get into them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted November 17, 2007 Share Posted November 17, 2007 they have a special kind of entrance so should be OK as a child couldn't get into them How big are your rats Snowy?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted November 17, 2007 Share Posted November 17, 2007 they have a special kind of entrance so should be OK as a child couldn't get into them How big are your rats Snowy?? Sorry, should've said a child couldn't get it's hand into them! (although it was a pretty hefty looking ratty so not convinced he could get in either! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted November 17, 2007 Share Posted November 17, 2007 No worries just was getting worried about what I might see when I go and bring the glug in tonight. Rats still bring back memories of James Herbert...he has a lot to answer for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted November 17, 2007 Share Posted November 17, 2007 No worries just was getting worried about what I might see when I go and bring the glug in tonight. Rats still bring back memories of James Herbert...he has a lot to answer for. Oooh, tell me about it! Remember it well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted November 18, 2007 Share Posted November 18, 2007 Make sure you hang the Grub up at the same level with each hook. This may sound obvious, but in my early-morning daze I have hooked it up unevenly: it looks all right, but the food always ends up on the ground. As for the bait boxes, I have not been able to work out how to get into the one that the man from the council never came to collect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
