Rats, but not chipmunks?

[Lacy Duckwing]

Today I saw a rat run out and drink some water from my hens' water. This is the first time I've ever seen a rat that wasn't dead on my property, so therefore this is the first rat problem I've seen. I have a trap picked out at my local feed store, and if I'm not able to get it, I'll be asking my best friend, @cluckmecoop7, to help me get a trap like her's.
The issue is, I have a bunch of chipmunks running around my yard and in and around my chickens' coop and run. I think that they are cute, and I think that they're helping with my acorn problem. I want the rat dead, but I don't want the chipmunks dead. What can I do to prevent the chipmunks from getting into the trap? Please help. Thanks!

 

[JubileeFarmer]

Chipmunks are active during the day and sleep at night. While you may occasionally see a rat out and about during the day they are normally nocturnal and most active at night. If you put the traps out just as it is getting dark and remove them at day break you will be less likely to capture the chipmunks.

 

[dennisma1]

I usually have the food locked up at night. I'm assuming that the rat lives under the coop. I'm also assuming it's living on the left side, cause that's were it came from and returned. The chipmunks are also hanging out under the same coop. I've seen them go in and out in the middle and the right side of the coop. I don't want to use poison. There's a lot of stray and neighbor's cats running around, plus the chipmunks that I'd be afraid of getting into it. So do you think that the chipmunks would be safe? I'll hopefully be able to get the traps in the next couple of days, but I don't want the chipmunks getting into them. Also, should I get one, or multiple traps?

I'd go with multiple traps. Try not to touch them much. Rub with dirt from pen so they don't smell like human. Rats are pretty smart and will avoid strange things . I usually use peanut butter. While I feel your pain in killing cute chipmunks , trust me a rat problem out of control will get you over that fast. Been there, done that.

 

[aart]

So I had set both rat traps last night. I placed the peanut butter on the bottom side of the plate so the chances of me catching a rat was high. I went out there this morning, and the traps were still set, but licked clean.

Cram a piece of corn or BOSS tight into the trigger.

 

[Borders3]

My bird's grain is always in the coop and they are closed in at night. I did discover that the rats were starting to make their way into the coop, and I've blocked their entrance and other spots that could become entrances in the future. I do think that I'm getting another mouse problem in the coop, which I'll have to take care of too, but thankfully I got a trap for them that catches only them.

Get a treadle feeder with a spring loaded door. No need to take the feeder in at night, no constant dealing with poisons, trapping, or anything other than filling the feeder every few weeks and making sure the spring is still functioning.

There is no sure way of stopping them getting into a wooden coop you need to remove the reason. If you get a treadle feeder it prevents the rats and mice having a food source. Chickens don't need food at night, so you could then leave the feeder outside the coop, thus removing the reason for rats and mice to go into the coop. I did read on here something about toothpaste and peanuts as a way of getting rid of mice and rats but I cannot remember which post I read it on.

 

[dennisma1]

Not much from my experience. When I've had a rat problem the chipmunks seem to be gone ( scared of rats maybe) when i use traps I catch birds and even baby possums. But poison will kill hawks, owls. I usually go for traps under milk crate. I feel the same way I just want to kill rats. If you know where the rats are living like under your coop then you could throw some poison there. I doubt chipmunks live in same space. Lock up all food at night.

 

[dennisma1]

Chipmunks are active during the day and sleep at night. While you may occasionally see a rat out and about during the day they are normally nocturnal and most active at night. If you put the traps out just as it is getting dark and remove them at day break you will be less likely to capture the chipmunks.

Yes good point. I've also used the rat zapper, putting it out at night once chicks were locked up. I'm not sure it worked better than traps, but at night I only got rats and mice. The opening was too small for possums.

 

[JubileeFarmer]

Ok. Well seeing this is the first live wild rat I've ever seen, I'm hoping that it's not an out of control problem yet. Oh good! Peanut butter! That's good to know! I forgot to ask what to bait it with! As far as not touching the trap too much, @JubileeFarmer said to only have the traps out at night. What do I do?

I don't think rats are actually that concerned about human smell. I haven't had a rat problem but have successfully caught mice in my pantry (with peanut butter) and it didn't seem to matter how often the traps were handled. If the rat was seen in an area that you frequent then it will already be familiar with your scent and will consider it part of the normal odor of the place.

 

[dennisma1]

What is a rat zapper? I've never heard of that.

It's an electronic contraption that electrocutes rats. I was always worried my chickens would be stupid enough to stick their heads in it, so I only left it out at night. You can google it. Traps at night only are a good idea, although I did catch a baby possum and felt like a murderer.

 

[Folly's place]

Any trap will only catch a very few rats, because they are very smart, and avoid anything that's dangerous in their environment. Seeing one rat, especially during the day, probably means that there are many more out there!
Fix your coop problem so that nobody can get under it!
Chipmunks and ground squirrels are very cute, wild rats aren't. Maybe your chippies will move, but killing those rats is most important. And don't handle any of them bare handed!
Mary