RAT WAR!!

[cavemanrich]

@Alicialuvspets
I have to agree that the squirrel traps are quite useless. They are flimsy, weak, and not escape proof. I threw mine out. (I do not throw many items out) You may consider the next size up. I have one of these. It is strong enough. I don't have rats, but caught everything else in it. Here is a quick link for one from Harbor Freight. Seems like they discontinued carrying the small useless squirrel version.
https://www.harborfreight.com/32-in-x-15-in-x-10-in-medium-animal-trap-61682.html

 

[The Moonshiner]

@Alicialuvspets
I have to agree that the squirrel traps are quite useless. They are flimsy, weak, and not escape proof. I threw mine out. (I do not throw many items out) You may consider the next size up. I have one of these. It is strong enough. I don't have rats, but caught everything else in it. Here is a quick link for one from Harbor Freight. Seems like they discontinued carrying the small useless squirrel version.
https://www.harborfreight.com/32-in-x-15-in-x-10-in-medium-animal-trap-61682.html
View attachment 1088721

The problem is the size of the wire.
The one you showed they can walk right through.
We have a couple of them.

 

[cavemanrich]

The problem is the size of the wire.
The one you showed they can walk right through.
We have a couple of them.

Well,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, let me analyze this a bit.
You may have rats that work out and stay slim due to their gymnastics.
Second option, is that you don't feed them enough and they stay runts.

 

[The Moonshiner]

Well,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, let me analyze this a bit.
You may have rats that work out and stay slim due to their gymnastics.
Second option, is that you don't feed them enough and they stay runts.

I think option 1. They are pretty acrobatic. They're great on the balance beam (rafters) and pretty good on tightropes ( extension cords)
Option 2 is out. I think they eat better then I do.

 

[BYC910]

I think option 1. They are pretty acrobatic. They're great on the balance beam (rafters) and pretty good on tightropes ( extension cords)
Option 2 is out. I think they eat better then I do.

Circus Rats 22 cal cci bird shot and a bright hunting light turned on when I get close and blast them out the ring . I carry 2 pistols and sometimes shoot with both hands . Did I say I hate rats and mice . I had them so bad I carried both pistols and a 410 pump shotgun for ones high in the trees . I go out every other night and sometimes every night . I walk in the dark until I get real close to he coops and then turn on the light and they make a run for it . They are a little like rabbits in that they will run to a hiding place and stop . My chickens are so used to me shooting in the chicken house they don't even flinch .

 

[3riverschick]

I am totally beside myself now. We have had the yard/coop/run professionally taken care of for mice and/or rats. When he came out to check the traps (humane--don't get your dander up), the bait had not even been touched. Just now I was sitting in my living room and see one of the confounded rodents run across MY DECK! I am furious, distressed, and disgusted. The hens are okay for now, but I'm almost afraid to go to their coop because of all the mice! I've quit giving them treats except from my hand, put the feed up at night, and every other thing discussed here. I'm almost ready to give my hens away so I can get the infestation under control.

Auntie Moose,
Perhaps what you need is some Predator Pee. I'm not kidding, I'm totally serious. this guy is an expert and he can tell you what you need for the animals that are bothering you and the won't bother your pets. Under, "pick your problem", click on the chicken coop.
Http://www.predatorpee.com
Karen

 

[cavemanrich]

Circus Rats My chickens are so used to me shooting in the chicken house they don't even flinch .

Not sure if they have your hen's size.

 

[cavemanrich]

Auntie Moose,
Perhaps what you need is some Predator Pee. I'm not kidding, I'm totally serious. this guy is an expert and he can tell you what you need for the animals that are bothering you and the won't bother your pets. Under, "pick your problem", click on the chicken coop.
Http://www.predatorpee.com
Karen

Have to agree with you on the Predator Pee. A while back a bunch of friends came by and brought with a few kegs. Needless to say, we got locked out of the house for the evening. By morning, all the kegs were empty. There were no animals visiting my grounds for weeks.





















If you didn't at least chuckle, then it is a totally lost day....

 

[BYC910]

Not sure if they have your hen's size.
View attachment 1088846

I only got the chicken so I could shoot rats . got me some goats thinking I might take coyote shooting too . I'll see if them ear thangs come in chicken sizes

Have to agree with you on the Predator Pee. A while back a bunch of friends came by and brought with a few kegs. Needless to say, we got locked out of the house for the evening. By morning, all the kegs were empty. There were no animals visiting my grounds for weeks.





















If you didn't at least chuckle, then it is a totally lost day....

wasn't a good time to be down wind was it ?

 

[3riverschick]

Ok cavemanrich ,
that was really funny!
I let my dog pee around the coop and run.
Best,
Karen