Rat-Proof Quail feeder???

[rlchatham]

I have a rat infestation in my quail pens that I need to take care of immediately! They are literally eating more than my quail and leaving feed piled up along with feces and every other thing that comes with rats. Anyone know if a rat-proof quail feeder?

 

[JaeG]

You might just have to be vigilant about removing the feeders at night. You are lucky they aren't eating your birds. I've lost quite a few quail to rats - the rats even tried chewing through hardware cloth to get to them, and when that proved to be too difficult they chewed through a thick piece of wood underneath the cage where I couldn't see and dragged them out that way. Rats can carry red mites so make sure your birds have access to dry dust baths. Poison is really the only way to deal with an infestation of rats.

 

[Nabiki]

I have a rat infestation in my quail pens that I need to take care of immediately! They are literally eating more than my quail and leaving feed piled up along with feces and every other thing that comes with rats. Anyone know if a rat-proof quail feeder?

You probably want to make your quail coop/pen rat proof first. Rats will happily eat your quail too.

 

[rlchatham]

I think I figured out a feeding system to keep mice/rats out of feed. So far, so good. The quail figured out how to get the feed out pretty fast. I drilled three holes in the bottom of bucket. I’m each hole I placed a 1/4 inch eye-bolt and on each eye-bolt I place a nut then washer then pipe fitting then another washer and nut (this gives them something to peck at). When the quail peck and the food drops out of hole. The hole diameter will depend on the type of feed you use.