Marans and Back-crossed OE Breeding Project.

[Mwhit]

Just got a chicken related purchase in the mail….we have a terrible rat problem that just popped up.

 

[2ndTink]

How's the Ratinator going? We had some good luck with ours

 

[Mwhit]

How's the Ratinator going? We had some good luck with ours

After setting the trap last night, we caught a dozen this morning. It works great! Makes me worry about how many rats I may have though.

 

[2ndTink]

After setting the trap last night, we caught a dozen this morning. It works great! Makes me worry about how many rats I may have though.

Wow! Thats a lot! When you reset it, it's important to tie the trap door open for a few nights and give them some food inside of it so they get comfy with going in and out of their little feed room, then set the trap door again after a few freebie nights.

Rats and smart enough to learn not to go back if they perceive its a danger to them. I think this is where the snap traps and electronic traps fail. They learn it's dangerous and avoid them.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Wow! Thats a lot! When you reset it, it's important to tie the trap door open for a few nights and give them some food inside of it so they get comfy with going in and out of their little feed room, then set the trap door again after a few freebie nights.

Rats and smart enough to learn not to go back if they perceive its a danger to them. I think this is where the snap traps and electronic traps fail. They learn it's dangerous and avoid them.

I've learned to bait the snap traps like this also. I also have a Ratinator.

Here's a couple tricks I learned in my days in 'Nam.
Rats don't wiggle out from the drywall screws or take the trap with a tether.
Dusty trap= no rats here....yet.

 

[Mwhit]

I've learned to bait the snap traps like this also. I also have a Ratinator.

Here's a couple tricks I learned in my days in 'Nam.
Rats don't wiggle out from the drywall screws or take the trap with a tether.
Dusty trap= no rats here....yet.
View attachment 4178819

That thing looks gnarly! Good advice, I’ll retie it and keep it open for a few days.

I’ve stopped keeping the chicken feed out all day and switched to 2x a day feedings. Hopefully that makes a dent too.

 

[wrathsfarm]

It's impossible for me to keep feed from being wasted with all the littles but I've used tote lids for example under their feeders. Helps a little bit.