Is this a rat?

[DoubletakeFarm]

I'm still not wanting to use poison for two reasons: 1. I'm afraid my geese/chickens/alpacas could come in contact with it 2. I REALLY want a body as proof it's dead.

I got the issue of backyard poultry and ALMOST bought the bait trap. It was $20, but then the bait was another $20! I'm holding off on that. Still worried he will carry it to where my animals can get it. I wouldn't put it past him to chew pieces off and leave them around the barn just to get even with me.

I did pick up some better rat traps. They're plastic and the trip plate is way bigger. I caught a baby frog and am using that as bait since I know it eats frogs. (MF has turned me into a frog murderer)

So right now I have the chicken pen empty and locked up so none of my animals can get in it. I have the mole trap over one hole and a conibear trap over the other. Also the snap trap with the frog in there. In the goose pen (that my geese and chickens can get into) I have a live trap baited with two dead chicks. So what does he do last night? Doesn't go in the chicken pen, goes in the goose pen and buries my live trap. There's 4 inches of dirt piled on top of it. What the?? He knows I'm trying to get him.

Going to the store right now for Slim Jims....

 

[RodinBigD]

Is it possible this vermin is picking up your scent on the traps? This might be why he is not touching them or burying it.

 

[DoubletakeFarm]

Yeah, but my scent is all over the place. I go out and clean, water and feed every day.

By the way, when I went out today it smelled like something died out there. Gee, I wonder why? I had to get a flashlight, stick my hand down the tunnel and remove a dead chick. That was gruesome. Sure am glad MF wasn't down there!

 

[PlaidBattleAxe]

Yuck...... I hope you get MF soon.

 

[TCchickies13]

Hope this helps-

Rats/Graduate Level- the Norway Rat (rattus rattus)- I guarantee this is YOUR rat.

Boy, are you right. Rats are Amazing!
The reason I have more success with the smaller trigger plate is that the bait (big hunk of smoked sausage/couple of hunks of slim jim) will disguise the trigger.
Just my experience.
One important behavior you should understand- Rats are neophobic (skeptical if not fearful of new "things" in their little world. It can take days for the rats to investigate the trap).
You do not have just a rat. I'm sorry to tell you that you have a rat population that is setting up home.
In order to eliminate the rat issue, you need to consider these facts- Rats have a social structure. Honest. There are three levels in the rat colony. The dominate (Alpha), the "Middle" (Beta), and the "dregs" of the colony (Omega).
This is important- The first rats will you see and kill are the Alpha's. They are larger and healthier that the others.Their home is the room inside the entrance of the colony. They live closer to the food and water, and eat only the best foods. It is critical to kill the Alpha's. The Alpha's will come out any time it is quiet, not only at night. These rats will quickly learn about dangers like traps alone and these rats are the rats that will balloon the population is not eliminated. Once you begin to see rats that are smaller and thinner or with a coat of lesser quality, you have turned the tide. The second rats you will see are the Beta's.
Once the Alpha's are gone, the Beta's move up a floor in the colony. These rats are not as smart and are much more fearful. They are also hungrier and will accept a bait in relative short order. When you begin catching or seeing, well, "scurvy", skinny, smaller and visibly less healthy than the others, you are at the "Goal Line". Remain diligent and you will win.

Now rats will do "things" with traps like-
Jumping over them- So, drill a small hole through the base of the trap opposite the trigger plate. Use a piece of wire to attach 2 traps together about 2-3" apart.
Pushing them to set them off. If this happens, secure it to the floor with a small nail or screw.
In general, place some perpendicular, as well as along a wall (the double trap set-up) where you know the rats run. Place some traps in areas where you see droppings.
Look around and identify as many areas where there is activity both in and out.

My friend, I would like you to consider a "poison". Rats, and other rodents, have a strange physical trait that we can exploit. Rats are unable to digest and metabolize Vitamin D3.
We can. Your livestock can. Your pets can. A mouse can not! Rats can not! There exist compounds that will assist you greatly in conjunction with traps. One such Rodent Bait Is TERAD3.
I keep this around the farm for just such instances. It won't hurt my dogs, cows or chickens. I highly recommend you use these in pellet formulation. Please, to ease your concerns, review the label for the product:

http://www.domyownpestcontrol.com/msds/Terad3_Pellets_Label.pdf

This is a good price: http://www.domyownpestcontrol.com/terad3-pellets-lb-pail-p-1280.html

I also recommend that you purchase a couple of bait stations. These stations will keep the bait dry and palatable for a long time, are tamper proof and may be placed anywhere you are seeing rat activity. Any of the stations in your budget will suffice- here are some choices and some good information:

http://www.domyownpestcontrol.com/rat-bait-stations-c-21_333.html?page=1

If, the previously mentioned efforts are unsuccessful, I am sorry to say and I understand how you feel about poisons, you will need a single dose anti-coagulant rodent bait. These baits, when used properly, are safe, The amount of active ingredient in these baits are too low to kill a dog or other, larger mammals. If, however, you suspect one of your animals is ill due to ingesting this type of bait, FEED THE ANIMAL WITH A FOOD THAT IS HIGH IN VITAMIN K. Vitamin K is the antidote and is in most dog foods and is an easy supplement to find. Honest. One just needs to be observant.

This is a bait I use routinely for "bad situations":

http://www.domyownpestcontrol.com/msds/Contrac_Blox Label.pdf

I prefer the blocks and bait station:

http://www.domyownpestcontrol.com/contrac-blox-rodenticide-p-80.html

Well, there you go. I'm ready for another cup of coffee. Get with me if you have any questions or further problems.
Good Luck-

 

[DoubletakeFarm]

Today's post: Are ya'll getting tired of this thread yet? I am!

Wired a piece of slim jim to a snap trap and left a piece loose so he could see how tasty they are. This morning the loose piece is gone and low and behold, the trap is tripped! Nothing caught in it, but hey this is progress!

Now, since nothing got caught in the trap it is quite possible that it wasn't MF that took the bait. I'm sure I have mice in my barn that could have tripped it and gotten away. And I'm not really caring about mice at this point because mice don't dig huge tunnels and kill chickens.

Since I moved the chicks out of the pen I set up the trail camera again. This time I put it on video mode. We shall see.

 

[Outpost JWB]

Try baiting the rat trap with a tootsie roll. Partially chew it up first. I know it sounds gross, but sticks to the trap and the rat has to chew harder. Good luck.

 

[iwiw60]

Today's post: Are ya'll getting tired of this thread yet? I am!

Wired a piece of slim jim to a snap trap and left a piece loose so he could see how tasty they are. This morning the loose piece is gone and low and behold, the trap is tripped! Nothing caught in it, but hey this is progress!

Now, since nothing got caught in the trap it is quite possible that it wasn't MF that took the bait. I'm sure I have mice in my barn that could have tripped it and gotten away. And I'm not really caring about mice at this point because mice don't dig huge tunnels and kill chickens.

Since I moved the chicks out of the pen I set up the trail camera again. This time I put it on video mode. We shall see.

I'm not getting tired of your thread!!

I look forward to updates every day! Sounds like you just might be getting the scumbag pretty soon, too. Be sure to post the trail cam videos!

 

[CHIKENROOKIE]

I was just walking along and found this thread.

You JUST can't not continue it for the "cliffhanger" is right around the corner!



We need closure!

 

[Suzierd]

Not getting tired! Can't wait to see a pic of the villain.