What can I put in feed to repel rats that won't bother chickens and ducks?

Date sort Score sort
pigcoon

pigcoon

Crowing
14 Years
Apr 22, 2009
262
58
276
Vermont
I have a weird rat problem. I've been putting the food away at night for my chickens and Pekin ducks, but I have a few rats (younger ones) that come out in the daytime (they are pretty shielded back there and it's shady, and they're young).

I have to let my ducks eat sometime, but I'd like to put something in the food that will bother the rats but not the ducks or chickens. Something like cayenne, or mint?

Does anyone have experience with this?


We are working on the larger rat eradication problem but trying to deal right now with the food sourcing issue.
 
Not sure about adding it to the feed but mint is a natural rodent repellent. Spearmint, peppermint, wintergreen, even lemon balm which is also in the mint family, will all help deter rodents. Maybe planting those varieties all around your coop and run would be helpful.
 
Thanks for the reply. Not sure if these things would grow and don't want to provide more hiding places!
sad.png


I'm trying to think of something to put right into the crumble feed, so the rats say "yechhh!" and lose the desire to eat it.
 
Rats will eat anything, and they need to be gone! It's hard to trap them, although the bucket trap will work for a few of them. A busy little terrier will do the job, but might take out your birds too. Locking your critters in, and setting poison bait stations, works best. Mary
 
Today we set up rat wire all around their duck pen. I am putting the food away at night but still looking for my daytime solution.

At this point after many nights of unproductive trapping, we are getting ready to try poison but I am so scared to do it.

How long would i need to keep all the poultry in their pens if I put out poison? Days?
 
I have used broudificon (spelling?) the newer warfarin type rat poison, setting it out until no more has been eaten. It's taken about a week, and I've never seen a dead rodent afterwards. They must mostly die in their dens. I lock up all my pets and chickens for a few days after removing the bait, and it's been fine. I won't use bromotheilin (again, spelling?) or any other much more toxic products, for safety's sake. Mary
 
I will research that. (broudificon)

So, you set out the poison (assuming in one of those box type arrangements?) until they have stopped touching it. Then you lock up the birds after that?
 
1:1 peanut butter/plaster of paris balls, add a bit of olive oil.

Make marble sizes balls.

Place where only mice/rats can get to.

Keep replenishing, they will stop disappearing when the mice/rats are gone..
 

Similar threads

gema
Rats & Mice, How do i get rid of them
2
Replies
14
Views
2K
RojoMarz
RojoMarz
S
    • Like
Neighbourhood rat problem and grumpy neighbour
2 3 4
Replies
30
Views
3K
Penpal
P
L
    • Like
Rat problem need more advice
2 3
Replies
20
Views
4K
Al Gerhart
Al Gerhart
arizona_chicken_noob
Your thoughts on the safety of Drop In The Bucket rat trap, around chickens?
2
Replies
15
Views
5K
chicknmania
chicknmania
HostileMatron
    • Like
What turned this rat inside out??? **Warning: Graphic pictures**
Replies
8
Views
1K
aart
aart

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom