mice

[KaylorFarms]

Yeah! I guess not!!

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Sounds simple enough. Probably not chick proof.. but if the other ones aren't either, hmm. No buckets just hanging around or a hole saw here. Though we often use $ store serrated steak knives. Which will my anxiety choose, over thinking a SIMPLE project or spending $ for a simple solution..

Thanks for sharing.

We placed all the bait houses outside of the coop. Just food for thought. We try to be cheep as possible to keep our hobby farm from draining our wallets. Unless we have no alternatives. Becareful rodent droppings will make your chicks sick. Don't kill any friendly snakes as well. They are rodent control manufactured by mothernature. I will capture a rat snake and take him a couple miles down the road. Their diet consists of mice and rats. Again.. good luck to you. I hope you figure out a way.

 

[Sublight]

I don't see anyone talking about bucket rat traps. Fill a bucket up 1/3 with water, and put a close hanger across the top, with a can on it. Rat climbs up on the bucket, and tries to get on the can to eat the peanut butter that I spread on it. Then the can spins and the rat falls into the water and drowns. No pesticide, and no risk to chickens or cats/dogs etc.
Ive not made one, but have read about them. Do they work?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I don't see anyone talking about bucket rat traps. Fill a bucket up 1/3 with water, and put a close hanger across the top, with a can on it. Rat climbs up on the bucket, and tries to get on the can to eat the peanut butter that I spread on it. Then the can spins and the rat falls into the water and drowns. No pesticide, and no risk to chickens or cats/dogs etc.
Ive not made one, but have read about them. Do they work?

As far as I know they work well until the rats wise up. I have seen them and considered it. I was wondering if someone was going to mention it.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

We placed all the bait houses outside of the coop. Just food for thought. We try to be cheep as possible to keep our hobby farm from draining our wallets. Unless we have no alternatives. Becareful rodent droppings will make your chicks sick. Don't kill any friendly snakes as well. They are rodent control manufactured by mothernature. I will capture a rat snake and take him a couple miles down the road. Their diet consists of mice and rats. Again.. good luck to you. I hope you figure out a way.

Thanks for the droppings tip.

I don't know if we have rat snakes, but we do gave garden snakes. I never relocate ANYTHING. In many cases it is illegal. But on top of that I just don't like to drop them off in an unfamiliar location inside another animals territory to fend for themselves, not knowing if the rest of their family is still at my place.

Thank you for the well wishes! Trust me, I WILL manage the pest problem. This isn't even my thread but I certainly appreciate all the input.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Wow! My relatives have a rooster that will collect bugs and than he'll do a funny call and all the hens run over to him, and he'll drop the bugs for them! He's so sweet and loves everybody! He won't even attack you if you are holding his chicks!

Oh ya, my boys treat call, drop their wing and do a little dance, and serenade the ladies.

The ONE boy I have trouble with (had until a couple days ago ) was a lap cockerel that was sooo sweet when he was little. When he reached mating age he began trying to pull hens of my lap. And it escalated to him attacking the back of my leg. First time felt like he brushed by and then he was standing there all innocent like. So I thought nothing of it. But after a few times, his intentions were very clear. I've tried all kinds of techniques to stop his antics. The last one worked the best, unfortunately.. that was a very handsome boy who was only allowed to stay that long because of my initial connection and breeding intentions. And he would even start crowing specifically at me every time he would see me. I think he saw me as competition and not a predator. One way or the other.. my lesson is handle the boys but don't have them as lap chicks.

Also the boys (after they reach a certain age) seem to have a problem with my dogs playing frisbee, even though it's been going on since day 1 so they have to be locked up/out when we play.

So cool that your family has a good roo.. I will to one day!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I don't see anyone talking about bucket rat traps. Fill a bucket up 1/3 with water, and put a close hanger across the top, with a can on it. Rat climbs up on the bucket, and tries to get on the can to eat the peanut butter that I spread on it. Then the can spins and the rat falls into the water and drowns. No pesticide, and no risk to chickens or cats/dogs etc.
Ive not made one, but have read about them. Do they work?

Well, it's WAR!!!! While we were processing a boy, a rat came in front of the barn and was startled to face one of my dogs. It looked at me! Then ran away. And a short while later it had made it's way completely around the back and came out the other side where it looked at me and then scurried UNDER the door towards my back yard/pasture where it disappeared very quickly! Ok so dumb me was cleaning out my meal worm bins and had left a cup of pupa on a chair in the barn. Of course they were gone the next day! Plus, I popped my head in the door to look at my broody and babies and a rat ran across and headed into a corner with an obvious route of escape since I didn't see it again!

OK so I mentioned my rat problem to hubby. I should have known... that we are big DIYer's who WILL try to save a buck! SO he INSISTED I let him try the bucket/can w/ peanut butter. Beings I had read too many reviews about them not truly being effective long term... I did more research trying to decide which is the correct plan of action. And thinking about what lines up with my way of thinking... In NO way do I think drowning (as in the bucket) is humane. And though I don't want them to be my problem I also am no cold hearted person and don't want things to suffer. Snap traps *seem* like they would be good and I have caught many a rat with them. But if they catch the animal in the wrong way, you have to follow the blood trail to find the trap. The concrete/sugar sounds easy... but again, how much pain will the rat suffer before passing? I've had bad stomach aches, no fun. And I'm guessing the poison isn't a fast painless death. And since we drink our ground water we avoid chemicals *as much as possible*, poison just doesn't seem to be in line with my chosen lifestyle... Not to mention the risk to my other animals associated with it.

So I went with the electronic kill device.. That's pretty good ratings and a plug in. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WRR9RR6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATLPOUSTVTHOI&psc=1

Well, I (secretly) ordered it the same day hubby made his "bucket". First night, a piece of fermented chicken feed that I dropped on top of the can/pb was gone and 2 distinct scratch marks in the PB. 2nd night, ALL the PB was licked CLEAN off the can. Neither time did I get a rat in the bucket and I'm pretty sure they looked something like this ! They do seem to very much like the fermented feed, may use that in my shock trap as bait... or PB, they liked that plenty well too. And I can put the shock traps in my barn where none of my chicks have access to. Anyways, even if I had to put it in the run when the chickens are all locked up that's during the high activity time for the rodents anyways and I always lock my chooks in and let them out so.. maybe I will put it in the barn during the day and run at night.

Either way... let the elimination begin!

 

[Sublight]

Well, it's WAR!!!! While we were processing a boy, a rat came in front of the barn and was startled to face one of my dogs. It looked at me! Then ran away. And a short while later it had made it's way completely around the back and came out the other side where it looked at me and then scurried UNDER the door towards my back yard/pasture where it disappeared very quickly! Ok so dumb me was cleaning out my meal worm bins and had left a cup of pupa on a chair in the barn. Of course they were gone the next day! Plus, I popped my head in the door to look at my broody and babies and a rat ran across and headed into a corner with an obvious route of escape since I didn't see it again!

OK so I mentioned my rat problem to hubby. I should have known... that we are big DIYer's who WILL try to save a buck! SO he INSISTED I let him try the bucket/can w/ peanut butter. Beings I had read too many reviews about them not truly being effective long term... I did more research trying to decide which is the correct plan of action. And thinking about what lines up with my way of thinking... In NO way do I think drowning (as in the bucket) is humane. And though I don't want them to be my problem I also am no cold hearted person and don't want things to suffer. Snap traps *seem* like they would be good and I have caught many a rat with them. But if they catch the animal in the wrong way, you have to follow the blood trail to find the trap. The concrete/sugar sounds easy... but again, how much pain will the rat suffer before passing? I've had bad stomach aches, no fun. And I'm guessing the poison isn't a fast painless death. And since we drink our ground water we avoid chemicals *as much as possible*, poison just doesn't seem to be in line with my chosen lifestyle... Not to mention the risk to my other animals associated with it.

So I went with the electronic kill device.. That's pretty good ratings and a plug in. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WRR9RR6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATLPOUSTVTHOI&psc=1

Well, I (secretly) ordered it the same day hubby made his "bucket". First night, a piece of fermented chicken feed that I dropped on top of the can/pb was gone and 2 distinct scratch marks in the PB. 2nd night, ALL the PB was licked CLEAN off the can. Neither time did I get a rat in the bucket and I'm pretty sure they looked something like this ! They do seem to very much like the fermented feed, may use that in my shock trap as bait... or PB, they liked that plenty well too. And I can put the shock traps in my barn where none of my chicks have access to. Anyways, even if I had to put it in the run when the chickens are all locked up that's during the high activity time for the rodents anyways and I always lock my chooks in and let them out so.. maybe I will put it in the barn during the day and run at night.

Either way... let the elimination begin!

I feel the same way about the coon. I have not been very concerned about rats, as I felt they are a natural product of having chickens. But now I want to catch the coon that's killing my chickens, and the dang rats keep eating the coon bait! I feel the same way, this means war.

If this makes you feel better. My dog got into some rat poison, and almost died. He was lethargic, but was never in any pain. The rat poison (as per my vet) makes the rat bleed internally by destroying red blood cells. Basically the animal just cant carry oxygen to his organs. So it just kind of drifts off.
We barely saved my dog by giving him daily doses of Vitamin K to help the blood clot and his body flushed out the poison. But he was in no pain. In my opinion the rat poison is humane.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I feel the same way about the coon. I have not been very concerned about rats, as I felt they are a natural product of having chickens. But now I want to catch the coon that's killing my chickens, and the dang rats keep eating the coon bait! I feel the same way, this means war.

If you're using the large live trap.. maybe try putting something bigger than what the rats can consume... like a chicken carcass (maybe left over from dinner). Don't forget to dispense of the coon correctly. Might even be worth it to just get some cheap chicken from the market and string it to the inside of the cage. Are you sure the coons haven't outsmarted your trap (as I've read they often do)?

I get that rats are a part of the natural environment. Problem is in nature they can only reproduce according to how much feed is available. Give them free access to chicken feed, now you've got an infestation that's spreading possible things like rabies, leptospirosis, and fleas around. Plus I can't afford the free loaders, who don't care if they poo or pee in my feed or my hay. And they ARE known to chew on chickens and steal eggs. They are NOT welcome at my place. Of course neither are the coons or opossum, coyotes, cats, raven, hawks, squirrels... basically, I'm happy... ecstatic even, when I see creatures in their own environment. Ugh, I've uncovered way too many garden snakes while doing standard "spring" clean up. I don't dispense them though because despite the fact that they startle me, they are garden friend... and in the garden. If I find them in my hen house (probably) different story. Sometimes I don't know how I truly will react until faced with the issue!

Funny at the zoo I helped to rehab all kinds of birds of prey (bald and golden eagles, red tailed and shouldered hawks, peregrine falcon, coopers hawk, and several owl species.. great horned, barn, and screech) and coons and oppossum. Actually even bobcat cubs! (sorry if already said that, it was an experience I hope I never forget).

 

[Sublight]

If you're using the large live trap.. maybe try putting something bigger than what the rats can consume... like a chicken carcass (maybe left over from dinner). Don't forget to dispense of the coon correctly. Might even be worth it to just get some cheap chicken from the market and string it to the inside of the cage. Are you sure the coons haven't outsmarted your trap (as I've read they often do)?

I get that rats are a part of the natural environment. Problem is in nature they can only reproduce according to how much feed is available. Give them free access to chicken feed, now you've got an infestation that's spreading possible things like rabies, leptospirosis, and fleas around. Plus I can't afford the free loaders, who don't care if they poo or pee in my feed or my hay. And they ARE known to chew on chickens and steal eggs. They are NOT welcome at my place. Of course neither are the coons or opossum, coyotes, cats, raven, hawks, squirrels... basically, I'm happy... ecstatic even, when I see creatures in their own environment. Ugh, I've uncovered way too many garden snakes while doing standard "spring" clean up. I don't dispense them though because despite the fact that they startle me, they are garden friend... and in the garden. If I find them in my hen house (probably) different story. Sometimes I don't know how I truly will react until faced with the issue!

Funny at the zoo I helped to rehab all kinds of birds of prey (bald and golden eagles, red tailed and shouldered hawks, peregrine falcon, coopers hawk, and several owl species.. great horned, barn, and screech) and coons and oppossum. Actually even bobcat cubs! (sorry if already said that, it was an experience I hope I never forget).

I hope it is not outsmarting my cage. The coon just doesn't come around every night. I have only had the trap for one night, and the baby monitor that I have out there showed a lot of beedy little eyes running around. The bucket trap is failing, so I have put out poison. I need to rid myself of this problem I have created. Im quite frustrated. I cant wait to cancel that coons ticket.