Rat survived trap, what to do!

[CluckyJay]

Go a head and put it down. I understand wanting to keep it though. If you're interested in a pet rat, you can totally get one at a pet store or post in the paper for someone selling them. You can find them for pretty cheap. They make great pets when properly handled.

 

[bethgranberg]

I would put it down make it fast and painless put your healing energy into something more positive, as i agree with others this is no pet....

 

[wildcat chix]

Am I the only one thinking "Give it to the chickens!!!" ?

 

[lowry075]

I think killing it is best also. If you don't want it to suffer, don't leave it for any animal, not even your chickens.

 

[kareninthesun]

Rats are extremely intellegent. I personally can't stand them, but in doing research for them after watching one CROSS the street when we first moved here, this is what I discovered: rats, most of all seek WATER. They will move NIGHTLY up to 2 miles from their home seeking such. They are creatures of habit, but once they find a good source, are pretty ingenious at mapping out workable alternatives to get what they want/need. Sometimes to stay 'under the wire' they will knaw pinsized holes in drip hoses, make their way under sinks and whereever water travels through pipes (especially bathrooms or dishwasher hookups since it is rare anyone checks these things till discovering a leak). Food, they can pretty much pick up anywhere there are pets around, or gardens/composts/trash. They are smart enough to move poison pellets from one spot to a trafficed area, sometimes from one property to another where there are pets. You will never have a smaller rodent problem if rats hang out, they munch down mice and their nests like welcome fast food. Although they rarely attack chickens, the chicks and eggs are not crossed off their lists if available and they are hungry.

They, along with other rodents, HATE mint. I planted mint all around the perimimater of my corn. Beni's are that I have lots to gleam from for mint jelly and varients! Planted some also in pots around the coop, although the chicks like to perch there and play with the mint. It's sturdy and should be ok. If fresh mint to grow isn't an option, placing cotton balls with straight mint extract in areas where they might be helps. Occasionally putting extract in a hose sprayer and using it around the yard helps also, and smells good.

I understand the circle of life and all, but adding snakes to get rid of the rats, a mongoose to get rid of the snakes, the fines from the city for keeping a mongoose to get rid of the snakes...geesh....

 

[kareninthesun]

I also like coyottes. Never experienced a rodent problem when they were around, they don't climb fences, and with plenty of hare around, they get fat and lazy. We had one mama coyote that you could see how pooped she was when needing a break from her brood. She'd slowly walk down the street to where ever there was shade and sprawl with a sigh until animal control came by. They'd give her a lift back to the fields, and she went willingly until the next time.

 

[khatar]

Look, I didn't say I was going to make a PET out of it, I meant maybe the pet store would know what to do!
I get what your saying though, and I know what your saying is the best.

 

[khatar]

Quote:
I would never do that, a quick, painless kill is good.
Besides, the chickens are really freaked out by it.

 

[Mia_]

Pretty much the only reason of wild mammals (smaller than bears) completely losing their fear of humans is rabies/severe brain damage. Me personally, I would be much more afraid of it, if it was not afraid of me. Put an end to it's suffering.

On a side note, there is a funnel web spider around here that leaves big necrotic spots where it bites, with legs, it is about the size of a nickle. There are two other species that are dime sized and quarter sized that are no threat to humans, and the only way you can tell the three apart is by using a strong magnifying glass. Or, the fact that the poisonous one will run at you and the other two will run away.