Just wanting some feedback on an idea I have.
Naturally, when I/we have a large feeder hanging in the pen, and another inside the coop, it will be, (and IS), a rat attractant.
I have noticed Rat droppings inside the coop, and also have seen, on occaision, a rat at night around the pen, on the fence, or getting the dogs all riled up and barking.
Although I would enjoy being able to sit out each night with my magnum powered, (Air), pellet rifle, and dropping them off one by one, ...
That is just not a very sure fire way of getting them.
(and besides,... if I tried to convince my wife that I wanted a Night Vision Scope, to mount on top of my pellet gun, she just might think I've fallen off the Turnip Truck, and bumped my head !)
also there is the issue of them, (the rats), not being there when I am,... or missed shots,.... or looking like some sort of night time villan/vigilante to the neighbors.
I don't need to be explaining to the Police, why I am sitting in the darkness with what looks like a Sniper/Deer Rifle !
SOOOoooooo,.....
what I'm thinking is,....
to build a plywood box with a hinged lid.
Maybe 24"wide x 24"long x 8" or 10" tall.
Then in one or two of the sides, have a hole maybe 2" to 3" in diameter. (something a rat can easily go through, but a chicken can not get into)
Then putting in a bunch (5, 6, 8 ), of baited snap traps inside the box, and far enough back from the "Rat openings", so that a chicken cant get their head in and near a trap.
maybe even screw the traps down to the bottom of the box, so they can't accidentally get pushed near the opening.
With a hinged and latched lid on the box, the chickens would be safe from the traps, yet a rat could easily get insie to find his fate, and meet his maker !!!
The lid would allow me access to collect any dead rats, re-set, and re-bait the traps, and it (when closed/latched) would prevent the chickens from getting near the traps.
I think this might be an effective way of having safe, nonpoisionous, 24/7 rat protection, both in the pen, and even inside the coop.
so what do you guys think ?
would this work well, or,...
Should I start cruising EBAY for a Night Vision Scope, w/ Laser sight ???
A Ghillie Suit,... and some Camo Face-Paint ?????
I don't like rats !
Naturally, when I/we have a large feeder hanging in the pen, and another inside the coop, it will be, (and IS), a rat attractant.
I have noticed Rat droppings inside the coop, and also have seen, on occaision, a rat at night around the pen, on the fence, or getting the dogs all riled up and barking.
Although I would enjoy being able to sit out each night with my magnum powered, (Air), pellet rifle, and dropping them off one by one, ...
That is just not a very sure fire way of getting them.
(and besides,... if I tried to convince my wife that I wanted a Night Vision Scope, to mount on top of my pellet gun, she just might think I've fallen off the Turnip Truck, and bumped my head !)
also there is the issue of them, (the rats), not being there when I am,... or missed shots,.... or looking like some sort of night time villan/vigilante to the neighbors.
I don't need to be explaining to the Police, why I am sitting in the darkness with what looks like a Sniper/Deer Rifle !
SOOOoooooo,.....
what I'm thinking is,....
to build a plywood box with a hinged lid.
Maybe 24"wide x 24"long x 8" or 10" tall.
Then in one or two of the sides, have a hole maybe 2" to 3" in diameter. (something a rat can easily go through, but a chicken can not get into)
Then putting in a bunch (5, 6, 8 ), of baited snap traps inside the box, and far enough back from the "Rat openings", so that a chicken cant get their head in and near a trap.
maybe even screw the traps down to the bottom of the box, so they can't accidentally get pushed near the opening.
With a hinged and latched lid on the box, the chickens would be safe from the traps, yet a rat could easily get insie to find his fate, and meet his maker !!!
The lid would allow me access to collect any dead rats, re-set, and re-bait the traps, and it (when closed/latched) would prevent the chickens from getting near the traps.
I think this might be an effective way of having safe, nonpoisionous, 24/7 rat protection, both in the pen, and even inside the coop.
so what do you guys think ?
would this work well, or,...
Should I start cruising EBAY for a Night Vision Scope, w/ Laser sight ???
A Ghillie Suit,... and some Camo Face-Paint ?????
I don't like rats !