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.
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.
