ArnoldoOfferman
Chirping
- Jan 11, 2016
- 83
- 5
- 61
So I saw what I thought were field mice inside the coop with two silkie-cochins and 3 babies. I removed the food and scared them away.
Turns out they're rats, since I found a chick missing and only found the legs. :'( Everything was gone: bones, beak, etc.
So I redid the coop.
Update: THEY STILL GOT IN!!! They had a MUCH harder time getting out, though. (Until I opened the door. Hard to chase them, though). My wife says she saw them get in through the top hardware cloth (1"). I clearly underestimated how thin they can make themselves. We just worked from 2AM till 4AM finishing the top (that was hard at night).
Hopefully this works.
I don't like the idea of rats running around. Any pest control tips to get rid of them? Mouse traps are a no, it'll catch the hens instead, lol. What about rat hotels.. a hen wouldn't get in there, right?
Any thoughts? Thanks!
Turns out they're rats, since I found a chick missing and only found the legs. :'( Everything was gone: bones, beak, etc.
So I redid the coop.
Update: THEY STILL GOT IN!!! They had a MUCH harder time getting out, though. (Until I opened the door. Hard to chase them, though). My wife says she saw them get in through the top hardware cloth (1"). I clearly underestimated how thin they can make themselves. We just worked from 2AM till 4AM finishing the top (that was hard at night).
Hopefully this works.
I don't like the idea of rats running around. Any pest control tips to get rid of them? Mouse traps are a no, it'll catch the hens instead, lol. What about rat hotels.. a hen wouldn't get in there, right?
Any thoughts? Thanks!