Help me get rid of my nightly visitors!!!!!

[Sooner Magnolia]

5 gal bucket probably wouldn't work with rats, you'd need something much deeper.

I wondered about that.

 

[lilolilman]

I have one week old goslings who I will be moving outdoors when they are old enough into a chicken coop that is currently vacant. I am NOT excited about this rat thing. This sounds horrific. Based on this thread I'm waiting as long as I can before I put them outside at night (read one too many stories about deaths by rats).

Does anyone NOT have rat problems? Or is this going to be a thing, period?

 

[aart]

Does anyone NOT have rat problems?

Knocks wood....none here.
Only once, caught 3 total. Dog caught the first one in the yard(found it dead in yard near coop shed), then I saw droppings in the shed. Set snap traps and caught 2 more, then never saw another sign of them. I think they migrated here from the clearing of a neighboring(600' away) property.

From all I've read, if I had an infestation I'd set traps but also use poison.

 

[3KillerBs]

Does anyone NOT have rat problems? Or is this going to be a thing, period?

None here on this property and none with my in-town flock.

 

[lilolilman]

None here on this property and none with my in-town flock.

Knocks wood....none here.
Only once, caught 3 total. Dog caught the first one in the yard(found it dead in yard near coop shed), then I saw droppings in the shed. Set snap traps and caught 2 more, then never saw another sign of them. I think they migrated here from the clearing of a neighboring(600' away) property.

From all I've read, if I had an infestation I'd set traps but also use poison.

alright so I will obviously prepare for rats in the event they are around and hope for the best that they never show!

predator proofing is going to be a big thing for my boyfriend, he's already worrying about my four pound pomeranian who literally could care less about the goslings' existence lol. if i can't show him that we can make the chicken coop safe when they get older, i am pretty sure they're going to become house geese.

 

[3KillerBs]

alright so I will obviously prepare for rats in the event they are around and hope for the best that they never show!

predator proofing is going to be a big thing for my boyfriend, he's already worrying about my four pound pomeranian who literally could care less about the goslings' existence lol. if i can't show him that we can make the chicken coop safe when they get older, i am pretty sure they're going to become house geese.

Lots and lots and lots of half-inch hardware cloth.

 

[cmom]

5 gal bucket probably wouldn't work with rats, you'd need something much deeper.

I think you're correct. I did originally use a 5 gallon bucket then I was talking to my brother who agreed with you. Probably a deeper trash can would have worked better. I think the rats did go into my bucket but were able to get out as some of the sunflower seeds were moved and a little hole where apparently something went in and out. Probably a rat.

 

[cmom]

I have one week old goslings who I will be moving outdoors when they are old enough into a chicken coop that is currently vacant. I am NOT excited about this rat thing. This sounds horrific. Based on this thread I'm waiting as long as I can before I put them outside at night (read one too many stories about deaths by rats).

Does anyone NOT have rat problems? Or is this going to be a thing, period?

I had an infestation in one coop, and now and then I will notice something probably the rats because they are the only things that can get to the baits had chewed on them but we have cattle next door. Don't know if that has anything to do with it. There are times of the year when I notice it more. I haven't had any activity as of late. I check my baits regularly. I think as long as you rat proof your coop. I would not put one week goslings out unless they have a rat proof space. I just put my three week old chicks into their coop. So far so good. They have a pen but aren't really going out into it yet even though I open their pop door in the mornings. I do shut them in their coops at night because they are still little. They feel like their coop is a safe place.

 

[Nan H]

I highly recommend watching SHAWN WOODS on YouTube. He is an expert on methods of removal. He tests all sorts of traps and products.

 

[Nan H]

I highly recommend watching SHAWN WOODS on YouTube. He is an expert on methods of removal. He tests all sorts of traps and products.

Also watch JOSEPH CARTER THE MINK MAN. Terriers are the way to go!!