Ktewes
In the Brooder
- Nov 15, 2024
- 14
- 7
- 19
How does everyone who free ranges their chickens deal with the rats?! I have since raised this feeder up but the song birds, squirrels, and rats all have figured out how to use it. 
My chickens normally eat from here in the morning and then free range until the evening and eat some before bed. I don’t really see them come back to the feeder during the day. I also make a mash with their food and offer that a few times during the day. Food and water go away at night. I have also tried RatX, snap traps, electric traps, bucket traps, live traps, and the ratinator. These rats do not fall for any of it. 
I literally don’t know what to do anymore. I am literally feeding wildlife and not my actual chickens with this feeder at this point. Because they free range I don’t have a way to secure it from wildlife and not the chickens. I’ve seen treadle feeders but I can only assume rats would also figure that out. I’m just at a loss. Any ideas? Do I take it away fully?
My chickens normally eat from here in the morning and then free range until the evening and eat some before bed. I don’t really see them come back to the feeder during the day. I also make a mash with their food and offer that a few times during the day. Food and water go away at night. I have also tried RatX, snap traps, electric traps, bucket traps, live traps, and the ratinator. These rats do not fall for any of it. I literally don’t know what to do anymore. I am literally feeding wildlife and not my actual chickens with this feeder at this point. Because they free range I don’t have a way to secure it from wildlife and not the chickens. I’ve seen treadle feeders but I can only assume rats would also figure that out. I’m just at a loss. Any ideas? Do I take it away fully?
