I'm aware of the risk. And there is risk. I do check the bait stations in the morning and evening for tampering and possible bait crumbs on the ground, which in 2 years I've found the bait crumbs once. I now put the stations where the chickens can't get even close to them. The rats have already established their homes and that's where they bring the bait if they do. Mostly it is eaten from inside the station. On rare occasions I have found a dead rat, but it's easy for me to find them because I am outside so much with my chickens.
It's not a perfect thing to do, but with the snap traps for one caught there are probably 10 more that are around. Since covering all the food, the incidence of the bait disappearing has been pretty sporadic. My neighbor does absolutely nothing with his chickens.
Even covering all your food at night and cleaning up the spillage cuts down on the population. Without the bait I run the risk of rats leaving their nasty bacteria infested dropping and don't know if the chickens may eat it or not. Rats also carry worms which the chickens can pick up. It's gross and I can't live with a rat problem. Sadly not having a problem is worth the risk of having the bait stations. And all my chickens are beloved pets.
It's not a perfect thing to do, but with the snap traps for one caught there are probably 10 more that are around. Since covering all the food, the incidence of the bait disappearing has been pretty sporadic. My neighbor does absolutely nothing with his chickens.
Even covering all your food at night and cleaning up the spillage cuts down on the population. Without the bait I run the risk of rats leaving their nasty bacteria infested dropping and don't know if the chickens may eat it or not. Rats also carry worms which the chickens can pick up. It's gross and I can't live with a rat problem. Sadly not having a problem is worth the risk of having the bait stations. And all my chickens are beloved pets.
