Rat Traps or Outdoor Cat? (Poll)

[4 Georgia Hens]

So I recently started a thread and I forgot to add a poll so, yea, here it is (FIY the thread is called "Rat Trap or Cat?" is linked at the bottom of this post)
Please read the thread and vote your opinion!




The Trap or Cat Thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/rat-traps-or-cat.1206916/

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Exterminator, or poison.

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

Exterminator, or poison.

Thanks

 

[perchie.girl]

cats cant or wont tackle rats... occasionally they will take one down but it has to be a Badas cat....

Exterminator or bait stations would be my Second choice. There is poison that is made of Corn that works excellent on Rats and wont hurt livestock or the wild.

My first choice would be Rat Dogs but you have to be experienced with them because they have a very strong prey drive.... not good for chickens.

Notice they have two or three greyhounds in the mix... what the terriers miss those greyhounds run down and dispatch

Powdered Corn Cob used in pellet form is approved by the EU and has been patented in the US since 2003 I cant find the product name dang browser .... its out there though.

 

[perchie.girl]

Oh and for what its worth... I had an Aussie cross dog that was death on rats. I saw her move a yard of dirt and dispatch about ten on her own. she was good with chickens too. Strong prey drive but was driven to please me... So when she showed interest in the chikcens I just told her softly No Dogs.... and she would stand down. BUT... I would never leave her alone with temptation.... wouldnt be fair.

deb

 

[Folly's place]

Poison or maybe a rotten little terrier. Very few cats will kill adult rats! Traps will get an occasional rat, but then the rest of them will avoid the trap site. They are very smart! Mary

 

[Wickedchicken6]

All of the above methods can prove to work well if used correctly and diligently.

Poison is one I haven't used because in our specific case. We have both free range rabbits and free range chickens of all sizes. If you keep your chickens in a run poison can be a good choice.

I had a ratting dog, although he was not a ratting breed. They are excellent!

I found live squirrel traps to be very effective. I caught more rats than my husband with his kill trap methods. The only thing is that you have to deal with them after you catch them. I used a pellet gun, dumped them, rinsed the trap and was back in business.

 

[Folly's place]

I tried the squirrel traps, and never caught one! Mary

 

[Wickedchicken6]

I tried the squirrel traps, and never caught one! Mary

I give all credit to the marshmallows for the success...lol. I don't believe I have that much skill at trapping and never considered I'd be able to trap anything. I don't think watching a couple YouTube videos makes me a trapper. It's the marshmallows hands down.
They catch everything!