Disposing of rat caught in live trap!!

[MRS Janis S]

Ok, I came up with a solution...I hope it doesn't ruin the trap.
I bought a top entry litter box (for soaking chicken's feet) which is pretty deep and the trap fit down in there. Since the litter box has a hole in the cover...I put on the cover and then filled the box with water until it covered the trap.
I hate killing things but it had to go. It was not only scaring my goose, it was digging out the gravel foundation of my garage.

They are nasty critters. Good for you for being strong to do this.

 

[microchick]

Yes, it takes strength and no it doesn't get any easier with time.

I have Marek's disease in my flock and occasionally have to put a bird down to prevent it from suffering when the disease gets a hold of it. I've pulled the trigger many times while sobbing my heart out. It took me a long time to realize that being a responsible livestock owner (and yes, chickens are livestock) means that at times there are unpleasant responsibilities that we have to see through.

That included protecting our flocks/livestock from nuisance predators whether they be rats and mice or mountain lions or anything in between.

 

[Rise722]

I use a shovel - and my dog likes to eat them...

 

[Chickenclaude]

I kill rats and mice. No mercy. Don’t catch and release because it’s not “kind” to make it som on else’s problem. It’s illegal in Ct. you’re taking it faraway where it struggles to survive? Not kind. You’re just shifting the guilt. Do what you have to do to make your home safe. Be careful w those poison blocks. The nighbor used it and my cat caught a mouse that ate a block. My cat died...with a tell a tale blue lips ...on her property. Just take care of your problem, don’t make it someone else’s.

 

[paddyk22]

Run a hose from your cars tailpipe and put him AND THE CONTAINER HE IS IN in a cardboard box with the flex hose in one side and 2 or 3 slam holes in the other and he will just fall asleep and die most human way i can think off. drowning is very long and painful ( even though i hate the things ) that is how i have done it 9 times so far.

 

[Lisa-Kama]

Yes to Paddy's solution. I have a 5 gal bucket with a hole in the lid, run the hose from the tail pipe, make sure to block a second exhaust (Ram trucks have 2). The whole rat trap fits down inside. I cover the hole on the bucket with a towel. We even have a special adaptor that fits on one end of the hose and inserts into the tail pipe at the other end. Just don't use a very green, efficient low-emission car... takes too long and the critter suffers.