Storms and chickens

[newlaidegg]

Having read a recent thread about rat activity I am really paranoid about potential rats. Despite taking previous advice to place a litter tray under the grub and only half filling it, two of my girls are still chucking pellets far and wide. The floor of the run is littered with pellets and I am thinking about getting a new 'rodent proof' feeder.

 

Can anyone recommend a feeder and explain how it works?

 

One of my other hens has also taken to picking up straw piece by piece out of the nesting box and depositing it in the run, which seems a little strange too!

 

Does anyone else have juvenile delinquents?

[Richard]

I don't use rat proof feeders. Reggie and Ronnie, the two rats I used to have in the chicken run, used to stand on their hind legs and eat out of the girls' feeders (I use commercial type feeders rather than the peanuts). Reggie and Ronnie are no more, 'cos of the poison I put down, but I would suggest that you should make sure you put the food in at nights, and clean up any spills. then put bait boxes down if you actually have rats.

 

But don't get paranoid - its not worth it. they'll get you just the same.

 

I'm not paranoid - I actually know that they are out to get me, Makes life a lot easier when you know.

 

Anybody see the programme on the russions last night, and the poisoning of the spy chap.

 

Now if I was involved with that lot I would be getting paranoid!

[Guest]

part of the reason I worry about getting rats is because of the neighbours. I'd hate to be the cause of rats in our neighbourhood and then of course there's the worry about the neighbours complaining to the council. That's apart from the other problems rats bring.

 

We bring the food in at night and try and clear up any spillages, difficult with layers mash because it's a powder and things like treats which can disappear amongst the aubiose but we do our best.

 

fingers x'd it's enough.

[Richard]

part of the reason I worry about getting rats is because of the neighbours. I'd hate to be the cause of rats in our neighbourhood and then of course there's the worry about the neighbours complaining to the council.

 

well, how about geting rid of the neighbours and keeping the rats? they are probably less bother in the long term.

 

Reggie and Ronnie were actually rather nice and attractive, quiet, shiny coats, twitchy noses etc. Can't say the same about my neighbours.

[newlaidegg]

I actually think it's attention seeking behaviour

 

Although, in reality they get more attention than the rest of the family put together...

 

(However, none of the rest of the family lay eggs)

[Guest]

part of the reason I worry about getting rats is because of the neighbours. I'd hate to be the cause of rats in our neighbourhood and then of course there's the worry about the neighbours complaining to the council.

 

well, how about geting rid of the neighbours and keeping the rats? they are probably less bother in the long term.

 

Reggie and Ronnie were actually rather nice and attractive, quiet, shiny coats, twitchy noses etc. Can't say the same about my neighbours.

 

 

can you recommend a humane way of despatching the neighbours?

[Hilly]

Evening all,the hotel down the road from me has a flock of hens that free range in the grounds, i popped in to be nosy one day and they"ve got these neat feeders suspended from trees, i think they are from the phesant breeders, teardropped shaped with a t_bar at the bottom that they peck at and it just lets a few pellets out at a time , funny watching an orpington pecking but being beaten to the food by a cheeky bantie . would save on wasted food if the hens would learn.