Laying Early in the Morning . . . REALLY Early!

[Anon112]

Truly nasty creatures and they freak me out. We've only encountered a rat twice but they so huge I know they can inflict damage. Our dog does a good job of keeping them away. He hangs out by the chicken run.

Rats killed two of my hens and attacked my rooster. So seeing a hen on the ground in the dark really gets my adrenaline up immediately. I was SO relieved that she got down on her own, but the idea of her on the ground in the dark is still nerve-wracking.

 

[Bawkbok]

Rats killed two of my hens and attacked my rooster. So seeing a hen on the ground in the dark really gets my adrenaline up immediately. I was SO relieved that she got down on her own, but the idea of her on the ground in the dark is still nerve-wracking.

I'm so sorry that happened. That's horrible. Rats are fast and they can jump high up. Is having a cat an option?

 

[Anon112]

I'm so sorry that happened. That's horrible. Rats are fast and they can jump high up. Is having a cat an option?

There is a local stray who hunts the rats, but ironically the run is predator proof enough that the cat can't get in so the rats are safe in there.

I really locked down the feed (treadle feeders, no treats), and when the rats got desperate they started attacking my chickens. I spent a few nights camped out in the run with them with one of my cats (a former barn cat and a real hunter), and then got a good routine going with traps. I also got a Ring camera set up in the run so I can monitor activity when I'm not around.

It was my fault for not addressing the rats more seriously once I realized they were around. I'm hoping that the measures I have in place now will prevent a future invasion like what I had this past year.