Hens won't eat any food, cry on and off all day

[Shabby Chic-Hens]

When I had a rodent problem, I took a container, (sometimes large buckets and sometimes a trough) and filled them about 2/3 full of water. Then I rubbed a bit of peanut butter above the water line. My containers were near walls they could climb. They would try to get the peanut butter and would fall in and drown. Sometimes I would catch several in a single container overnight.
I prefer most things over poisons.

those work well! make sure they can't jump out though!
poison is usually my last resort. there are just too many stray cats around, the hens will get into even the teensiest cracks, and we have nosy dogs. sometimes, a poisoned rat will go into someone's yard, they have a feral cat, or a dog that goes out, or anything! they eat the rat, and they will die. then you have bad neighbors.

 

[Castleringer]

Try a 'grandpa' feeder. They're quite expensive and you go through a few days of worry whilst you train them and they work out how to use it but we've never looked back! It's cured our rat problem completely and our girls love it. We have ducks but they're made for chickens. An absolute dream solution to feed and pest problems.
Good luck

 

[SayChicken]

I have had great luck with Vfeedrs. They aren’t very expensive at Chewy, make it very hard for them to fling food or waste any. And are supposed to be shaped a way to make it difficult for rodents to get to the food. They say it works with mash too but I’m not sure it actually would.

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I’m interested in this Vfeeder you mention. It isn’t on amazon. Where did you get it?

 

[TX Chick Noob]

I’m interested in this Vfeeder you mention. It isn’t on amazon. Where did you get it?

You can order them from Chewy. I think they are $22. If you spend $50 shipping is free.

 

[SayChicken]

Try a 'grandpa' feeder. They're quite expensive and you go through a few days of worry whilst you train them and they work out how to use it but we've never looked back! It's cured our rat problem completely and our girls love it. We have ducks but they're made for chickens. An absolute dream solution to feed and pest problems.
Good luck

I read lots of reviews stating that the Grandpa feeder is actually not pest proof ..some have pictures/video as proof. There is a brand called Ratproof treadle feeder that is supposed to rate higher as truly pest proof. It has a soft-close option as well which is nice for backyard set ups.

 

[Mrs. K]

DrumstickRanchTex - could you post a picture of the bucket with peanut butter?