Can rats break eggs and eat them?

[cmom]

I had an rat infestation in a coop last year until I renovated the coop and got rid of their nests. I put some rat baits out primarily in my barn which is behind the coops. Whole chunks of bait kept missing every day when I would check the bait. I thought how could anything live eating all of that rat bait. After doing some research I found out they are immune to rat bait.

 

[Chickassan]

Yep, about the only good bait that works now is talon-g and you have to order that from a pest control shop.
Same bait they toss in New York for their rat control program.
No idea how long it will stay effective, for now it is good.

I had an rat infestation in a coop last year until I renovated the coop and got rid of their nests. I put some rat baits out primarily in my barn which is behind the coops. Whole chunks of bait kept missing every day when I would check the bait. I thought how could anything live eating all of that rat bait. After doing some research I found out they are immune to rat bait.
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[ColtHandorf]

I've had good luck with Just One Bite. The rats were much more particular than mice about bait and refused to touch anything else.

 

[cmom]

 

[Onslow's Hens]

I am afraid to use any kind of poison. To many critters could drag off a dead poisoned rat and in turn poison themselves. I use good old fashion victor rat size snap traps. Rats are killed instantly. I found that if you glue dry cat food to the bait pedal, rats seem to love cat food. They grab it - tug and its all over. I also found that they love moist type dog treats. bend up the little spike on the bait pedal and spear the dog treat. I set them up at night once all the chickens are safely locked in the hen house. set them along the fence perimeter because rats will run along walls or fencing - no out in the open if they can help it. Might take a few days for them to try the bait because rats are wary of unfamiliar objects. Smart little creeps. It may take longer to get rid of them but it just seems safer than putting out poison.

 

[Onslow's Hens]

Forgot to say - I set them at night and then take them up in the morning so the chickens do NOT ever have access to them. It is a pain in the rump to have to re-set them every night but I would rather do that than deal with the dirty rats.

 

[cmom]

Using the rat baits and rat bait stations, I haven't had anything get into the bait boxes. I'm sure you could find a place to put one. I have a couple of them in our barn which is behind the coops. Most of the rats have tunnels and after they have had some poison, they go down into their tunnels and die. I did some research and more often than not most dogs and cats that eat a rat that has been poisoned will be ok.

"Secondary Poisoning is Rare
Although secondary poisoning is possible, it is unlikely to occur. Anticoagulant baits are manufactured with low dosages of active ingredients that range from 25 parts to 50 parts per million. A 20 lb dog would need to consume a range from 1.6 to 96 ounces of baits such as Contrac (bromadiolone) or Final(brodifacoum) to get poisoned in both primary or secondary poisonings.

The chances of a pet to consume enough carcasses of a dead rat to accumulate sufficient poison for secondary poisoning would be low. It is more likely to occur with a high population of dead poisoned rats that are accessible, coupled with pets or non-targeted animals that are foraging for food due to hunger. Most pets are loved and fed well. They would need to be very hungry for them to eat many dead carcasses of rats."

 

[cmom]

If I find a dead rat, I dispose it so nothing will get it.

 

[Onslow's Hens]

20 pound dog would have to consume 1.6 to 96 ounces of bait - that is a huge range. It would be all of one bite for a curious 20 pound dog to consume a 2 or 3 ounce rat bait chunk. Rat bait is scented to attract and entice rats to eat it. Seems to me it could also entice a pet to check it out. I don't know because I have never used rat bait, but sure would not want to find out. Lots of dogs will pick up and play with and chew on dead stinky carcasess. Gross but some seem to love doing gross stuff like that. It just is not worth it to me to risk an accidental poisoning - no matter how minor. The traps are more labor intensive and may take more patience but they do work and I know without a doubt that all my pets are safe. I will stick with traps. Rats are an awful problem and I just hate dealing with it, as I am sure everyone does. Good luck to everyone dealing with a rat problem. All information and opinions help us all find the best strategy that fits our situation.

 

[ChemicalchiCkns]

There is a Satisfaction is seeing a villainous RAT with a broken Neck.