How much feed do your rats eat?

[polk county]

I knew I had rats but I put off buying poison. Soon after I put the poison out I noticed that the chicken feeder was in need of being filled less often. From the looks of it the rats ate 3.5 lbs of laying mash every night. I cant believe that! Please share your rat control methods here.
Thanks

 

[FrenchHen]

started with traps and peanut butter plaster of paris bon bons....moved to poison.

 

[gsim]

Quote:

My method is:
1. to have a pen that is electrified, and that they have to climb 24" to get to a point to crawl in.

2. My coop is locked down tight at dusk and not even a mouse or snake can get into it.

3. I only feed inside of my Ft McChicken, never outside.

4. I only store my feed away from my coop.

For best results now, mix the feed with the poison since the rats are imprinted on your feed as being safe. Pay attention so as not to poison your flock.

 

[fancbrd4me02]

I have 4 barn owls (they nest here) and many hawks that reside and hunt on my property. I never poison because that puts my predatory birds at risk. We do not allow overgrowth of brush, vines or brambles to attract them. All pens have crevices filled with balled up wire and steel wool and have buried hardware cloth skirted. Woodpiles, junk piles are avoided when possible. I don't leave feed out overnight. Food is stored in ratproof sealed containers. When we moved here we had a massive rat problem. Now, even with a barn we hardly find a sign of them.

 

[chooniecat]

I feel there is NEVER a good reason to use glue traps/poisons/drowning(slow cruel deaths). I personally have never had to go to extreme measures but I make sure the edibles are secured and when its been necessary I have used Victor snap traps(rat also) enclosed in a large enuf box with SMALL opening and have RARELY seen a live rat. the occassional mouse but am surrounded by crop fields so thats where they come from.