Feel a bit bad about killing a rat...

[kari_dawn]

greyhounds are great sight hounds (and so may not be great with chickens), but they may not necissarily "hunt" well. They chase well. I would recommend something more like a pyranese or an anatolian, or a heeler but that is personal preference. Greyhounds are fantastic dogs, but probably not for the purpose you are suggesting. I am trying to upload a pic of Sai! It may have to wait till tomorrow

 

[kari_dawn]

here he is!

On top of being an all in one, all natural, chemical free pest control service, he is the perfect compact size too! And such a cuddly lovie little thing! I think he would be a great breed. The only thing is he is very very attached to his people, and gets bored easily. My parents went through a phase (yes, I am a young adult that lives in my parent's house...they work overseas) of trying to make him live outside. That dog can climb trees, jump 6ft privacy fences, and open gates. He HAS to be a member of the family, and LOVES having a job. He is eager to please, but only for an assertive owner that won't let him outsmart them

I am SURE he would be very desireable as a working breed...especially in these modern times of shrinking everything and backyard micro "farms".

Though I am torn...I work for a large city as an animal services officer...we pick up about 100 dogs a day...thousands are euthanized every year because of human stupidity.

 

[Atomic Ranch]

Aww, he's great!

Jumping over 6' fences? Wow! Impressive. I wouldn't want someone to jump out of the yard though! Whoever I'd adopt would have plenty of space... I'm on an acre but it's rough and unfenced at the moment. How sad about the overpopulation and bad owners... I'll be happy to take two doggies in when I've secured everything!

Hey, nuttin' wrong with being at your folks' house. I think it's just a societal expectation that isn't necessarily right for or desired by everyone. I have a friend in Hawaii who is 42, and happily shares the house with his parents and grandmother. I live alone-- love my space! Just me and the chickens out here...

...and one less rat.

 

[Ole rooster]

Naugh...........I don't think you're being a bit silly. You're being a lot silly. I wouldn't want a rat and what they carry around my chickens. I hope the grocery stores out your way never run out of food. I don't think you could ever kill for food. Hanging up a kill and skinning it. Don't think so. Now there's a diet that would work?

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

If you feel bad about killing that rat, try some visualization techniques, imagine your chickens flopping around the coop with their feet chewed off.or their guts hanging out..okay, now, imagine all the baby rats that those 2 big ones you saw have in the nest. I imagine that owl is getting too fat and isn't keeping up with the all rats that are lurking in the shadows from the population explosion the extra grain caused... (is it working? still feel bad?)

 

[JoePa]

Feeling sad about killing a rat - eeeh gads - great balls of fire - holy mackeral - come on -

 

[Atomic Ranch]

Quote:
Well, that was helpful.

I have no problem hunting and fishing, as the ethics are quite different. Of course I killed the rat to protect my chickens; it was simply unpleasant.

 

[Elite Silkies]

I put my cat in my coop every night and she sleeps in there and keeps all the rats/mice cleared out. She loves her birdies!

 

[Atomic Ranch]

Achickenwrangler#1 :

If you feel bad about killing that rat, try some visualization techniques, imagine your chickens flopping around the coop with their feet chewed off.or their guts hanging out..okay, now, imagine all the baby rats that those 2 big ones you saw have in the nest. I imagine that owl is getting too fat and isn't keeping up with the all rats that are lurking in the shadows from the population explosion the extra grain caused... (is it working? still feel bad?)

I know they're bad news, thus the reason I killed it. I live by the hills, and the coop is essentially under long-developed pepper trees. The rats are there; not much I can do to completely eliminate them from the area. I must figure out how to keep them out of the coop though, and will do so.

Edit: And thanks... feeling "bad" may not have been the best term. Not as in guilty, but just troubled by being unprepared and having to be so hands-on. Can't fire a gun-gun here, but BB might be a better solution.

 

[Nicki]

Quote:
Aww...he's so cute! I wish I had a dog to kill rats; I have to shoot the rats in my pens with a BB gun