If I get chickens, will I have rats?

[OBnurse]

You know, I am not sure. I would talk to a vet or terminator of some sort.

We used to use Decon and had it tucked away where we though our dogs couldnt get at it.
Well, of course they did.

We had to make them puck and have blood levels drawn. 300 dollars later. We are never using deacon again!

I really can't see there being some type of poison that would only kill mice though. Animals anatomy are all the same and what would kill one animal would probably kill others. If you find any type that does though please share!

 

[fl_deb]

I am surprised no one has mentioned this yet....but chickens, when big enough, will eat mice that they catch.

 

[OBnurse]

Quote:
Good to know~

Now if I could only grow a really big chicken and have it the possible rats too!!

BaaHaaHaa!!

 

[geepy]

You could only feed your birds just enough so that there are no left overs for the rats. If they are field rats they are not that bad. Norwegian rats are the worst. Rats should not keep you from getting chickens. Just get some and see how it goes. LOL

 

[theFox]

As for poisons that just kill one victim (the intended one) most of the poisons do have an effective half life and also metabolize in the target animals systems.

Non target animals will be poisoned if there is a lethal dose level still available when the dead rodent (in this case) is consumed.

It is all a matter of how much of the poison actually survives in the original dead animal.

Poisons are not what one wants to use if they can be avoided.

 

[kla37]

Chickens will kill and eat mice! Not rats though. May want to take some preventative measures against rats. If you keep the feed and bedding materials in containers with very snug lids, and use a hanging feeder, you may not have much of a problem. Also suggest using 1/4" hardware cloth under the coop/run to keep small rodents from digging in. Hope you decide to do it!

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Yes! The one Mahroni suggested, Just One Bite. The chemical is bromadiolone.

Read the label. Most rat poisons are warfarin, a "blood thinner," also used in people with clot problems (I take it.) Warfarin will definitely kill whoever eats the dead mouse. Bromadiolone will not. I use Just One Bite all the time. It's not that difficult to prevent the chickens from eating it while making it available to mice and rats.

 

[Olive Hill]

If you live in the country you probably already have rats. You don't see them, but they're there. Just like the mice. As long as they stay out of your coop, feed and house they're not too much to worry about. Keep your feed sealed up, where they can't get to it and they shouldn't be any more problematic than they already are (which is not at all.)

 

[Chic-n-farmer]

Quote:
If rats are in the area the food will attract them. If there are not any rats in the area you won't have a problem. I have NEVER seen a rat and I have had chickens for a long, long time. I live in the woods, too.

 

[Terri O]

When I talked to my vet about the poison thing he said that the amount that kills a mouse is metabolized in the mouse's body and can no longer kill anything else. (like some other poster also said) I use Fast Kill and Tomcat brands and as long as the chickens cant get to it (or the dogs) you will be fine. Most of my mice seem to die in water buckets...the poison makes them thirsty I guess. THat is fine with me!
We did have a few rats though until I got metal garbage cans to keep the feed in. Hardly see any of either of the vermin now thank God! Terri o