Chicks VS Rats VS Treadle Feeder

[Anon112]

I have been battling rats in my run/coop for MONTHS. Got some treadle feeders (hat tip to aart!) and it's been an amazing difference. What I used to describe as "Ratatouille Nightmare" is now just a few rats trying to scavenge around (with very little success). Today I saw zero rats from dawn to dusk, incredible!

However, I have two chickens who have hatched chicks and now I feel like I'm in a quandry. The chicks can't use the treadle feeder on their own, but mama hen has been going to it with them and putting food on the ground for them. Adorable. My concern, however, is that one of the chicks might jump at the feeder or try to reach in and get squished by the door closing.

I've been hesitant to put out chick feed because I'm scared of pulling the rats back in (and I'm really scared of a confrontation between a hungry rat and a little chick).

I built a rat-proof "nursery" (two feet wide, four feet long, three feet high). The hen and chicks discovered it on their own and seem to like it.

In my position what would you do?

1) Trust the mother hen to feed the chicks from the treadle feeder (stocked with starter feed and oyster shell on the side for the adults)? Assume that the chicks will be safe from being squished?

2) Put out chick feed loose and accept that it may attract some rats?

3) Keep the chicks and mama in the nursery so that they have free access to feed without the threat of rats?

I let them out of the "nursery" when I'm outside and can monitor, which is about 1-3 hours each day. I've been leaning toward option 3, staying in the nursery with some free range time every afternoon, but I'm curious if others have experience with chicks and treadle feeders.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would put out chick feed as I wouldn't want it restricted during those critical first few weeks.

The only thing that gets rid of rats here is a secure bait station. I've had rats eat the head off a duckling. They are nothing to mess with.

 

[Anon112]

I would put out chick feed as I wouldn't want it restricted during those critical first few weeks.

When they're in the "nursery" they have all the food they want and the rats can't get in.

I think that I'm settling into the routine of having them in the "nursery" overnight and during the day when I'm at work, then letting them range with the other chickens/explore the run when I'm able to be there to supervise.

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

We've used treadle feeders for years and my chicks can usually handle them with no problems at about 5 weeks old, right when I move them from the brooder to the coop. They hop right on as soon as they're ready, sometimes right next to the bigger girls, to feed. Your plan above sounds good, and you shouldn't have to keep them separated for long.

I've only ever had one rat in my coop, and I'd do about anything to not repeat that experience!

 

[Anon112]

We've used treadle feeders for years and my chicks can usually handle them with no problems at about 5 weeks old, right when I move them from the brooder to the coop. They hop right on as soon as they're ready, sometimes right next to the bigger girls, to feed. Your plan above sounds good, and you shouldn't have to keep them separated for long.

I've only ever had one rat in my coop, and I'd do about anything to not repeat that experience!

So I learned a hard lesson (and almost a VERY hard lesson) about chicks and treadle feeders. When their mom, Brenda, was out with them in the run she would get food from the feeder and put it down for them. So one day I let them stay out with her during the day while I went to work. When I came home, one of the chicks had clearly jumped in the treadle feeder and its leg was trapped in the door. Who knows how long it was there, and it was raining so it was very wet (I need to revamp my treadle feeder "roof" as it is really not working well at all).

Fortunately an hour in the incubator brought the chick back to its vivacious self (and the trapped leg only had some minor swelling), but YEESH!!

And now there have been three different times where I was sitting and supervising the chickens and a chick has put its head in the feeder and then had the door close on its head. (I've been literally right there, so was quickly able to open the door all three times).

They will definitely be confined to the nursery when I'm not there for at least a few more weeks. Thankfully Brenda has started taking them out in the yard during free time, so they aren't hanging around the treadle feeder as much.