➡I accidentally bought Balut eggs: 2 live ducks! Now a Chat Thread!

[ShrekDawg]

Just saw a RAT behind the chicken run!!! A RAT! We have never had rats before!! We have a major chipmunk problem this year, yes, but never RATS!!

We are going to have to do something about this! The food is inside the coop too, there isn’t even anything in the run or anything, unless maybe he is somehow squeezing into the coop? There is a little gap between the door and the frame/base where I guess he could be getting in? I didn’t think it was very big but

We are going to have to seal up that gap and also I found quite a large hole yesterday under one of the storage bins next to the coop. Thought it was a chipmunk hole but now thinking must be rats. We will have to move that storage container and/or fill in the hole I guess. Also might need to get some traps or something? And maybe move the other storage container too.

We have a plastic Rubbermaid shed/bin/whatever?? It’s large/long but low anyway, that’s next the coop which the hole is under but could probably get rid of it. Mostly filled with wayyyy too many bowls/feed dishes/waterers, etc. lol could probably get rid of most and get rid of the bin! Then we have a plastic Rubbermaid shed sitting on a pallet also next to the coop. Well both are technically behind it I guess.

The shed we have had chipmunks and stuff get in, it’s kinda crappy and not sealed well/big gaps and they chew through too.

But we have the feed in strong super thick plastic bins so they don’t get that but I used to sometimes have seed bags a while and they got in the bags but took those away as soon as I found out.

There is no food available now so idk why they’re hanging out. They must be getting in or maybe eating the scratch we’ve been tossing in the run??? Maybe no more scratch or at least less so they can clean it all up??? And maybe taking the food inside at night? I don’t think they can get to it but you never know haha

 

[ShrekDawg]

I try to keep the coop and everything pretty clean so this is a total shocker and disgusting!! I just cleaned the whole coop out yesterday too. Guess I need to work on behind the coop next.

 

[Tesumph]

Just saw a RAT behind the chicken run!!! A RAT! We have never had rats before!! We have a major chipmunk problem this year, yes, but never RATS!!

We are going to have to do something about this! The food is inside the coop too, there isn’t even anything in the run or anything, unless maybe he is somehow squeezing into the coop? There is a little gap between the door and the frame/base where I guess he could be getting in? I didn’t think it was very big but

We are going to have to seal up that gap and also I found quite a large hole yesterday under one of the storage bins next to the coop. Thought it was a chipmunk hole but now thinking must be rats. We will have to move that storage container and/or fill in the hole I guess. Also might need to get some traps or something? And maybe move the other storage container too.

We have a plastic Rubbermaid shed/bin/whatever?? It’s large/long but low anyway, that’s next the coop which the hole is under but could probably get rid of it. Mostly filled with wayyyy too many bowls/feed dishes/waterers, etc. lol could probably get rid of most and get rid of the bin! Then we have a plastic Rubbermaid shed sitting on a pallet also next to the coop. Well both are technically behind it I guess.

The shed we have had chipmunks and stuff get in, it’s kinda crappy and not sealed well/big gaps and they chew through too.

But we have the feed in strong super thick plastic bins so they don’t get that but I used to sometimes have seed bags a while and they got in the bags but took those away as soon as I found out.

There is no food available now so idk why they’re hanging out. They must be getting in or maybe eating the scratch we’ve been tossing in the run??? Maybe no more scratch or at least less so they can clean it all up??? And maybe taking the food inside at night? I don’t think they can get to it but you never know haha

They are eating the scratch and grain. Stop feeding scratch and bring the food inside every night.
Clean up floor clutter in sheds. The less hiding spots they have, the less likely they are to hang around.
Set snap traps in front of the entrance holes. Use peanut butter.

 

[ShrekDawg]

They are eating the scratch and grain. Stop feeding scratch and bring the food inside every night.
Clean up floor clutter in sheds. The less hiding spots they have, the less likely they are to hang around.
Set snap traps in front of the entrance holes. Use peanut butter.

Thank you!! This is very helpful. I will try all this!! Gonna have to get some snap traps. I just bought scratch yesterday cause my dad likes giving it to them but I don’t want them fat anyway so no more

 

[NanaKat]

That looks incredible! Way to go girl! That is one sexy paint job, it’s definitely paying off.
You’re currently my biggest motivation to work on IV’s tank in the morning, so thanks.

I dunno how Tad is, but IV is really bad with change. Any time we change up her tank in the slightest she gets extremely stressed for a couple weeks. It sucks.

Can you use the same set up in the new tank that was in the old one and then slowly move one thing at a time?

View attachment 1907904 View attachment 1907906 View attachment 1907907 View attachment 1907908 View attachment 1907913 View attachment 1907914 View attachment 1907917 heres most i still have a couple smaller containers packed away. Theres some i like and some i dont but like most. As they are mostly bought as lot sets you cant pick what you get is what you get lol

Wow! I remember a lot of those.

I got lost in YouTube land for a minute.
I have no clue why this one magically appeared.

It is so darn cute.

Cute for sure.

She's clearly trying to land a human as a meal for her offspring.

Or a nice warm hand to babysit her babies.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Can you use the same set up in the new tank that was in the old one and then slowly move one thing at a time?


Wow! I remember a lot of those.


Cute for sure.


Or a nice warm hand to babysit her babies.

that too.

 

[NanaKat]

I try to keep the coop and everything pretty clean so this is a total shocker and disgusting!! I just cleaned the whole coop out yesterday too. Guess I need to work on behind the coop next.

Besides what @Tesumph said, this is one of my tricks.
Rats and mice can go thru any hole big enough for its head to pass through.
Cut a hole in the lid of a cottage cheese container or a lid for a plastic coffee can. The hole is smaller than your chickens head.
Put a chunk of rat poison in the container, snap on the lid and put the container in places you know are infested. Check it daily to see if anything is eating the bait and replenish as necessary.
The critters take the bait back to their tunnels for babies too.

We can get Tomcat at our feed stores. I get the economy size because we have several barns with storage.
I do not set these containers where my barn cats are because I've been told that cats eating mice that are poisoned might make the cat sick.

Once you see a rat, chances are there is a colony. Act quickly because they multiply faster than rabbits.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Besides what @Tesumph said, this is one of my tricks.
Rats and mice can go thru any hole big enough for its head to pass through.
Cut a hole in the lid of a cottage cheese container or a lid for a plastic coffee can. The hole is smaller than your chickens head.
Put a chunk of rat poison in the container, snap on the lid and put the container in places you know are infested. Check it daily to see if anything is eating the bait and replenish as necessary.
The critters takes the bait back to their tunnels for babies too.
View attachment 1908148
We can get Tomcat at our feed stores. I get the economy size because we have several barns with storage.
I do not set these containers where my barn cats are because I've been told that cats eating mice that are poisoned might make the cat sick.

Once you see a rat, chances are there is a colony. Act quickly because they multiply faster than rabbits.

Thank you!! This is good advice! I will pick up some poison and/or traps and maybe set it out tonight? I’m at Walmart anyway. And I’ll bring the food in tonight.

Tomorrow I am also going to move the shavings. It was getting dark last night by the time I was done with the coop so I couldn’t move them but I’m going to move them as well as the compost pile because I’m sure the pile of warm shavings is attracting them. There’s also a small dog house/shed near the coop that I think has been an animal home for a while so got to fix that and/or at least empty it out and move the stuff that’s behind it too. There’s some brush in the woods behind it too I could move. And a wood pile stacked between two trees next to the dog house. There are also railroad ties/stumps/weeds behind my garden hey could maybe move under? The chipmunks seem to like it. Thinking about it now, there a lot of potential hiding places for a rat family despite the clean/non messy appearance of everything. Could probably clean up a bit more and get rid of lots. Some of the stuff is my parents doing but I am sure they will gladly help me move stuff and set traps if it eliminates our problem.

I wonder if they are also feeding on the garden? I sure hope not! I didn’t see one near there, he came from behind the coop, and ran into a bush on the woods line (which I could probably cut down), but I know the chipmunks love the garden so who knows.

 

[Kiki]

Thank you!! This is good advice! I will pick up some poison and/or traps and maybe set it out tonight? I’m at Walmart anyway. And I’ll bring the food in tonight.

Tomorrow I am also going to move the shavings. It was getting dark last night by the time I was done with the coop so I couldn’t move them but I’m going to move them as well as the compost pile because I’m sure the pile of warm shavings is attracting them. There’s also a small dog house/shed near the coop that I think has been an animal home for a while so got to fix that and/or at least empty it out and move the stuff that’s behind it too. There’s some brush in the woods behind it too I could move. And a wood pile stacked between two trees next to the dog house. There are also railroad ties/stumps/weeds behind my garden hey could maybe move under? The chipmunks seem to like it. Thinking about it now, there a lot of potential hiding places for a rat family despite the clean/non messy appearance of everything. Could probably clean up a bit more and get rid of lots. Some of the stuff is my parents doing but I am sure they will gladly help me move stuff and set traps if it eliminates our problem.

I wonder if they are also feeding on the garden? I sure hope not! I didn’t see one near there, he came from behind the coop, and ran into a bush on the woods line (which I could probably cut down), but I know the chipmunks love the garden so who knows.

You are NOT SUPPOSED TO BE SHOPPING WITH YOUR PHONE IN YOUR HAND!
You are still at Walmart right?
Get the poison and traps NOW.

 

[Tesumph]

@CSAchook bless our hearts. We are but sweet summer children.

This sanding is going to kill me.

I got the built in shelves out and the left and right side sanding is done.