Rat Trap

[ThreeOfSeven]

The barrel was empty this morning. No takers. But, it wasn't in prime "food" area, the main run where all the tasty treats are scattered on the ground. I'm thinking of moving it into the main coop area after all the kids are tucked away to bed and in the coop. I always remove any obvious food (feeders, etc.) from the main run, so maybe the peanut butter will be enticing. Not ready to give up yet.

 

[ThreeOfSeven]

More to the point, if you have rats digging burrows into the chicken run, can you not simply put a snap trap in the hole and/or next to the hole where the chickens could not set it off?

Also, I wonder if putting down a 2 foot wide 1/2" wire predator apron around the chicken run might solve the problem better than trapping.

I have a predator apron, hardware cloth buried down and then spread out, but the 'lil buggers are good at finding weak points, like corners that attach to other corners or walls (sort of complicated), and they take full advantage of those areas. We also believe that the rats tunneled from the inside of the coop out, navigating around the buried hardware cloth creating a 2nd access point into the run. ACK!

 

[MROO]

Has anyone tried one of these rat traps? I set it up a while back, but it was out in the open, and the squirrels had their way with it. Now it's in the large chicken run that is fenced all around and overhead. Squirrels can't get in. Hoping to find some angry rats in it tomorrow morning.

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The problem with these traps is that rats can jump - straight up - really high, much like a cat. They're also very smart. Once they fall in and escape the first time, they most likely won't approach the trap again. Maybe you can put a snap trap in the bottom, to catch them when they first fall? Or maybe enough water to drown them ... as long as you don't accidentally catch and drown your chickens along the way.

 

[TinaMarieofFL]

I ended up putting out some rat bait boxes and that took care of the problems. At first I had to replace the rat bait but now hardly ever. I check it often. I can check the bait through the little window on top. Only rats and mice can get to the bait. They usually have tunnels and go down in their tunnels and die. I rarely find a dead one but know they must be when the baits haven't been touched.
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Not into poisons, they move up the food chain and end up killing bobcats and such...I tired the conventional snap traps, got a few, used chicken feed as bait since that is why they come into the pen. Did the water bucket thing but it seemed too cruel. I have gotten more rats by shooting them with either a .22 or .38 loaded with shot shells that all my traps combined. Now, I just have a regular 100 watt light out there and not a sign of rats.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I second poison bait traps. Get the 1st generation poisons made up of blood thinners. They won't move up the food chain like the 2nd generation poisons can, which are one bite neural toxins. The 1st Gen blood thinners only work with multiple feedings.

I've tried just about everything for rats around my place. Homemade plaster balls (worked a bit then stopped). Rat traps, classic, but they soon get so savvy they can get the food and not spring the trap, or spring the trap then get the food. Even shooting the beasts (my husband and son's favorite method). We also tried to absolutely rat proof the coop so the buggers couldn't squeeze into small crevices...they ate holes through the SIDES of the coop!

I even bought a rat terrier...he's good...got 20 in one summer...but the rats breed faster.

So we went to 1st gen rat poison bait traps. My rattie won't get hurt if he gets to a rat. (I only rat with him when I'm out at dusk...and he brings it straight to my feet).

Put the baits in areas the chickens can't get to them. You'll fill for awhile, then it simply goes away. Only way I've found to keep them at bay.

...or keep a pack of Rat Terriers and let them roam at night...with some training they'll leave the birds alone and attack the rats.

LofMc

 

[Folly's place]

I can't imagine a pack of rat terriers, or a pack of any terriers (terrors!) leaving available chickens alone!
Only bait stations worked here too. The rats who invaded my coop ate eggs and killed three nice bantam pullets before we solved the problem.
Mary

 

[gtaus]

I have a predator apron, hardware cloth buried down and then spread out, but the 'lil buggers are good at finding weak points, like corners that attach to other corners or walls (sort of complicated), and they take full advantage of those areas. We also believe that the rats tunneled from the inside of the coop out, navigating around the buried hardware cloth creating a 2nd access point into the run. ACK!

Rats are smart, which is why they are so successful in almost any environment. Hope your trap works. Keep us updated.

 

[Folly's place]

I did catch, by accident, two young rats one year in a water bucket in the barn. The rats were meeting me at the door, in daylight, saying 'howdy, where's the food!'.
Poison bait fixed the infestation, the only cure. No rat was found in any of the traps we set, or again in a water bucket.
They are very very smart!
Mary

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I can't imagine a pack or rat terriers, or a pack of any terriers (terrors!) leaving available chickens alone!
Only bait stations worked here too. The rats who invaded my coop ate eggs and killed three nice bantam pullets before we solved the problem.
Mary

My rattie is now trust worthy with chickens, even little chicks, though I wouldn't leave him unattended for hours with them....and a pack could go a bit wild. I totally agree. LOL.

But I got the idea from these guys...they are well known in my neck of the woods:
https://www.facebook.com/themongrolhoard/

Animals can be amazing.
LofMc