Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Shadrach]

01/10.
Occasional drizzle at 11C with 20mph wind. We all got out for a couple of hours.

 

[Molpet]

I've heard baking soda mixed with cornmeal or cake mix 50/50 will kill rats from gas buildup without being harmful to predators. I have not tried it so I don't know how well it works.

I did this in the house this spring. Heard a mouse screaming under the couch. Didn't seem like a pleasant death. Although a snap trap doesn't always give a clean death either.

But I don't have a lot of sympathy for rodents. My parents had a fire and the fire department said a rodent chewed cord for the deep freezer started it. the mouse, freezer and some minor damage were the only casualties.

 

[SimpleJenn]

I did this in the house this spring. Heard a mouse screaming under the couch. Didn't seem like a pleasant death. Although a snap trap doesn't always give a clean death either.

But I don't have a lot of sympathy for rodents. My parents had a fire and the fire department said a rodent chewed cord for the deep freezer started it. the mouse, freezer and some minor damage were the only casualties.

Yeah, it is a very painful end I think. They can't burp so their stomach or guts burst. My parents used a drowning trap, 5 gallon bucket mostly full of water, layer of sunflower seeds on top. Caught dozens of chipmunks using it.

 

[Shadrach]

Two hours this afternoon. It felt colder than the forcasted 10C. It did stay dry despite some very ominous heavy dark grey clouds.
Fret is gaining confidence in being able to get about. She was last away from the compost heaps this afternoon and she's scratching with both feet at what looks to me to be equaly pressure. She does still look unstead on some rough terrain, particularly if there are trailing weeds growing there. She's moulting but isn't looking put out over it.
Fret.

Mow is still mpooulting and still looks out of sorts at times. But, she's eating and foraging more. I need to do her feet again.

Sylph and Tull.
Neither of them have shown any great attatchment to either of the cockerels. Sylph follows Henry more than Tull does but currently it's the boys out together and the girls staying closer to the seniors. This makes life a bit easier when it comes to killing the cockerels, but not much I have to write.

The cockerels.

So far the one on the left has shown no signs of wanting to mate. The one on the chair arm is trying, mostly with Mow. I have seen him try with Sylph but she's to quick for him.

 

[RoyalChick]

Yeah, it is a very painful end I think. They can't burp so their stomach or guts burst. My parents used a drowning trap, 5 gallon bucket mostly full of water, layer of sunflower seeds on top. Caught dozens of chipmunks using it.

I use a snap trap - almost always effective though the rat-sized ones are terrifying to set.
I also have a rodent electric chair - which dealt with rats very well.

 

[Perris]

a rodent electric chair - which dealt with rats very well

? huh? photo or link please - I just can't get my head round this idea without it!

 

[RoyalChick]

Mine is an old model but essentially the same as this.
Uses those big round D batteries.
Use something like a couple of pieces of dry cat food as bait in the back.
As always with rats leave it baited but off until they are used the going into the box to eat the cat food.
Wear gloves when adding bait because rats have a good sense of smell and will know a person has been there and will avoid it. Bait needs to be dry food because it is not easy to clean.
Once the rat is regularly feasting on cat kibble you turn it on.
The rat goes in and is electrocuted.
Death is instantaneous - they don’t even get to eat that last piece of kibble, which feels a bit sad.

 

[Molpet]

Yeah, it is a very painful end I think. They can't burp so their stomach or guts burst. My parents used a drowning trap, 5 gallon bucket mostly full of water, layer of sunflower seeds on top. Caught dozens of chipmunks using it.

I use the bucket traps....sad when you come along and the poor thing is swimming and swimming. Think how long they can run on a wheel.
I get another bucket half full of water and put the bucket inside to submerge it so it passes quicker.

I use a snap trap - almost always effective though the rat-sized ones are terrifying to set.
I also have a rodent electric chair - which dealt with rats very well.

I have been tying snap traps to something because they sometimes get caught by a leg, drag off the trap and have a slow death if they don't chew their leg off.

 

[RoyalChick]

I use the bucket traps....sad when you come along and the poor thing is swimming and swimming. Think how long they can run on a wheel.
I get another bucket half full of water and put the bucket inside to submerge it so it passes quicker.




I have been tying snap traps to something because they sometimes get caught by a leg, drag off the trap and have a slow death if they don't chew their leg off.

I made a box for my snap traps. Partly so no chicken could get injured, but also to avoid the leg issue.
The box means the mouse can only approach the bait head first m, and the trap cannot move, which ensures clean snapped neck every time.

 

[fuzzi]

I use the bucket traps....sad when you come along and the poor thing is swimming and swimming. Think how long they can run on a wheel.
I get another bucket half full of water and put the bucket inside to submerge it so it passes quicker.

I have been tying snap traps to something because they sometimes get caught by a leg, drag off the trap and have a slow death if they don't chew their leg off.

I've never liked drowning traps for this reason, it's not quick.

A couple years ago I noticed a dark stain below a light switch that is hidden behind the television. When I removed the plate there was a fried mouse behind. I know that was quick!

Spoiler: Dead mouse