Chicken-safe rat poison sought

[Howard E]

Not to mention, in most states it is illegal to relocate trapped animals outside the property of the person who did the trapping.

That too and for good reason. I believe that even the Human Society frowns on relocation. Studies have shown the vast majority of relocated animals die from starvation, exposure or worse.....which for the varmints is a far worse way to go than some form of instant euthanasia. So in general, in many states, the law says kill it or release it and you do so on the spot. So it then falls back on how to do the deed.

I posted a rat killing video on a different thread.....one produced by the US Army and CDC back in 1950...........their trapper guy just bashed his brains in with a hammer. Highly effective......but perhaps not the best solution for everyone.

 

[Below frigid]

That too and for good reason. I believe that even the Human Society frowns on relocation. Studies have shown the vast majority of relocated animals die from starvation, exposure or worse.....which for the varmints is a far worse way to go than some form of instant euthanasia. So in general, in many states, the law says kill it or release it and you do so on the spot. So it then falls back on how to do the deed.

I posted a rat killing video on a different thread.....one produced by the US Army and CDC back in 1950...........their trapper guy just bashed his brains in with a hammer. Highly effective......but perhaps not the best solution for everyone.

LOL! Now that is just mean to Vicky, LOL. Sorry for laughing!

 

[Howard E]

Mean? Not intended as such, I assure you (and Vicky).

As a kid growing up on a livestock farm, you quickly get accustomed to death. Animals die all the time. Some of natural causes....some by predators.....and some by my own hand for a whole host of reasons. For example, when the coyotes started killing all my muscovy ducks....the ones I spent all summer raising......., I had no problem going after the coyotes. You get past that and almost become numb to it. I forget sometimes that not everyone else has that frame of reference in their background.

Having said that, I eventually decided there had to be a better way, so these days, my goals are to find ways to protect my birds in such a way that no harm comes to them so I don't have to whack any varmints. I would, but try hard not to. Live and let live if you possibly can.

Also, I've never been successfully accused of having much tact about such things......(or empathy), but I'm working on it........trying to do better. Now and then I fall off the wagon.

 

[Below frigid]

It does not bother me in the least. I agree with you. I do whatever is needed to protect all my critters. Vermin, varmints, and predators. Only the flying ones I have second thoughts about because they help with the varmints, but they go to bird heaven as well if i see them stalking the chickens.

 

[Howard E]

This is for Vicki and others to consider.......and from none other than PETA:

https://www.peta.org/issues/wildlife/living-harmony-wildlife/rats/

Note the part about NOT relocating animals to distant parts. Much of what PETA talks about I actually agree with, as far as rat proofing, etc. As for live trapping those inside to be released back to the outside, I might depart with them there. But even they suggest euthanasia as an option.

And as for the "how to" as far as what it means to "rat proof" a building, this was good when it was made and still applies today.

Would your coop stand up to this level of scrutiny? If not, perhaps you can understand why you still have rats inside. As far back as 100 years ago, the A#1 first choice of a floor for chicken coops was always cement and 10X as important if you lived in an area infested with rats. Video explains why.

Also, if I were really concerned about a rat proof coop, in addition to a cement floor, I'd consider using all metal siding, metal roof and soffits. Aluminum storm doors to go in and out and cheap aluminum windows, with hardware cloth screens. But as video explains, if you have pop doors and leave them open, rats can come and go as easily as the birds can. So perhaps the run....if you have one...... needs to have a cement floor too.....provided it has at least 1/2" hardware cloth all around.

Rats really are tough to keep out and get rid of.

 

[Vicki B.]

Thanks for the information, Howard. I did not think you were "mean" I do appreciate your information/thoughts that is why I joined a forum to get other point of view and ideas from others that are respectful and not accusatory. For my state yes I am not supposed to release trapped animals off of my property and the wildlife dept. also says poison and glue traps should not be used on rodents.They like you suggest working on the barriers and the food source. and use snap traps. I have dirt coops and a lot of trees the rats are in the trees when they are not in the coops.There is no way in my current set up to create a rat proof barrier unfortunately.

 

[Birdinhand]

...It's not realistic to suggest a hardware cloth enclosed run, that's ceiling and floor, for anyone with runs larger than the toy coop/run combo's you see at Tractor Supply.

back yard chicken coops are generally not huge nor are they toys. hardware cloth has made my experience here virtually rat free and we range between 6 layers 37 meat birds at any one time, producing about 1,500 eggs a year and about 200 lbs of meat. I spent $500 on hardware cloth years ago and it's been a great investment. we have lots of birds of pray, eagles, hawks and owls and lots of pets and small children. I've found it so much more practical than constantly being at war with the rats and but I understand that each person has to consider what is practical for them and their unique situation.

 

[lazy gardener]

Vicki, my apologies to you for being inflammatory.

 

[Howard E]

Vicki:

Rats moving around in the trees are probably black rats......aka, roof rats. While your state may not approve of the use of poisons to thin the herd, most everyone else on the planet does. So keep an open mind on that. If you do, bait station techniques are a bit different. This is a good summary:

https://www.domyown.com/baiting-tips-for-roof-rats-a-121.html

Are you still using the cage trap? If so, is it still working?

BTW, for those who haven't looked into it, the recommended solution from those in authority who argue (and legislate) against the use of rat poisons is to build an island of protection.......rat proof your structure.......which limits their access to food, water and shelter......and then let them be.

What most who adopt this theory fail to take into account is the extent required to "rat proof" a structure. It will require a 3D level of effort and will be expensive.....at least in comparison to what most have now.

 

[Vicki B.]

Thank you Lazy Gardener.
The 2nd night I caught 10 the 3rd night only one. For those of you that have used hardware cloth are your chickens completely enclosed in a coop/run situation? I have a shed I converted to a coop for the chickens to lay eggs, roost and feed in but they are free to come and go. I have 10 acres completely fenced and they free range. About half of the 60 chickens sleep in the coop the others roost in the trees. I am considering using the Rat X it is very expensive but it is supposed to not be a threat to pets or wildlife. They claim it is a "humane" way to kill the rats . The rat is supposed to go into a coma and die in the nest.