Feel a bit bad about killing a rat...

[Elite Silkies]

Quote:
Very cool. My cats are spooked by the chickens. They catch birds and things, but for whatever reason, they didn't like them from the get-go. "Eek! Box of peeping fuzzybutts!"

I have a new kitten about 4 months old. He likes to love on the chickens, almost knocking them down. He did that the other day to a Rooster and got pecked. He jumped back and looked like "What did you that for?"

Not all cats are good with chickens though. I have a big male cat, that I don't trust at all.

 

[Atomic Ranch]

Hen is cute! :

I feel bad when anything dies, even if its not my fault!

Such complex creatures we humans are, and multi-layered and personalized are our ethics. Some don't think about killing things much-- they're animals; what's the big deal? Others turn vegan. I think I'm utilitarian with my empathies-- I can shoot and eat for special occasions, but suffering by bludgeoning doesn't sit well.

"Bad" was probably an overly simplistic, late-night word choice on my part.

 

[Atomic Ranch]

Quote:
Very cool. My cats are spooked by the chickens. They catch birds and things, but for whatever reason, they didn't like them from the get-go. "Eek! Box of peeping fuzzybutts!"

I have a new kitten about 4 months old. He likes to love on the chickens, almost knocking them down. He did that the other day to a Rooster and got pecked. He jumped back and looked like "What did you that for?"

Not all cats are good with chickens though. I have a big male cat, that I don't trust at all.

So funny! Kittens at that age are so physical and knock into everything! When I'm outside with my big tabby boy, he gets a puffy tail when the Cochin crows.

 

[JoePa]

Quote:
Look, I'm a 97 lb. gal out there in the middle of the night. My post was meant to be somewhat humorous, though a difference between rationality and not caring for the aftermath of beating something to death should be acknowledged...

Hey Atomic - we were only kidding - for someone only weighting a 97 lb in the blue corner you did pretty well - good grief Charlie Brown most of my post s have a funny ring to them - remember the old saying - I forgot it but it was very appropriate -

 

[Atomic Ranch]

Hehe okay

Thought you guys were bustin my skinny little chops! Totally traumatized last night, but you bet I'll be out there with a borrowed BB gun tonight.

 

[seminolewind]

I would put some traps down. Rats can multiply like crazy, and can spread disease to your chickens, and worms. You do not want them around. They can walk on the roof. You may want to go around and plug up any opening with some hardware cloth. I caught a rat once , and he went to hide under a chicken! Chicken didn't care.

 

[Elite Silkies]

Once they invade the coops they will sneak into your house and sleep in your bed

 

[Atomic Ranch]

Quote:
Lol... and eww.

I've thoroughly inspected the coop, and there are no points of entry. I've got the hardware cloth over all of the openings now, but they likely just waltzed through the front hatch and were planning on exiting before I came out. There were no droppings anywhere in the coop, so their presence must have been unique. One got away, and may be back though, and I know they can get in the run. It would cost hundreds to cloth that entire thing, so I'm going to be more diligent about the coop hatch for the time being.

 

[Atomic Ranch]

Quote:
EEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!!

Rigged a flashlight to the ol' Daisy and will be out tonight.

 

[greymane]

Quote:
Such complex creatures we humans are, and multi-layered and personalized are our ethics. Some don't think about killing things much-- they're animals; what's the big deal? Others turn vegan. I think I'm utilitarian with my empathies-- I can shoot and eat for special occasions, but suffering by bludgeoning doesn't sit well.

"Bad" was probably an overly simplistic, late-night word choice on my part.

We truly are complex creatures, but this also helps us see what is special in other creatures. (BTW, I think you did the right thing...or, should I say, the necessary thing.)