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Need help with rat argument

post #1 of 8
8/8/12 at 12:25am
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My local health department is against changing the ordinance because they fear it will cause more rats. The think chicken poop and food will be eaten by rats. Anyone have an article or argument against this?
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post #2 of 8
8/8/12 at 5:13am

The chickens will happily eat mice and help control the population, if they're worried about those little field mice.  I don't know about larger rats -- my dogs get them.   

Judy
Happiness is when you can look at your chickens and smile....
Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due.

Flockwatching my little bunch of mutts, a favorite pastime.

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Judy
Happiness is when you can look at your chickens and smile....
Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due.

Flockwatching my little bunch of mutts, a favorite pastime.

BYC Troubleshooting article -- click here

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post #3 of 8
8/9/12 at 9:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ElpoloLoCo View Post

My local health department is against changing the ordinance because they fear it will cause more rats. The think chicken poop and food will be eaten by rats. Anyone have an article or argument against this?

 

Field mice and rats will be attracted to vegetable gardens, compost bins, bird feeders, dog/cat food, and chicken food that is left out. I don't have chickens, but I do kill the occasional rat and field mouse.

CaryChickens.com // We give a cluck about Cary
Backyard Apiary Blog - Bees in the backyard
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CaryChickens.com // We give a cluck about Cary
Backyard Apiary Blog - Bees in the backyard
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post #4 of 8
8/20/12 at 9:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ElpoloLoCo View Post

My local health department is against changing the ordinance because they fear it will cause more rats. The think chicken poop and food will be eaten by rats. Anyone have an article or argument against this?

This is not a valid argument. The same could be said for Dogs and Cats. The local Sparrows usually clean up any spilled chicken feed before nightfall.

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post #5 of 8
8/21/12 at 3:36am

Chickens do not cause a rat problem, rats are not attracted to chickens but to food that may be spilt, they are not interested in droppings, there are rats in the area I live but I have never seen one in the garden even though I own chickens, as long as food is contained properly and there isn't a load of it everywhere there should be no problem, rats are far more attracted to human waste such as left over foods.

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post #6 of 8
8/22/12 at 3:27am

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Edited by chickortreat - 8/31/12 at 8:36am

Samuel Adams:  "If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen."

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Samuel Adams:  "If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen."

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post #7 of 8
8/22/12 at 7:16am

I think the best arguement is to point out that rats will also eat eggs, so it is in the best interest of the chicken owner to have a rat proof coop!

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post #8 of 8
8/27/12 at 6:02pm

The others are correct. To be frank, there are likely already rats in your area anyhow! So long as you and your local songbirds keep things cleaned up, there should not really be an issue. The chicken poop is nothing at all the rats would want, as someone else noted—especially if you decide to go ahead and compost it!

 

So many fallacies, so many politicians who believe them, so little time...! 

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