Something Digging in the Coop and it's Not the Chickens!

[Cats Critters]

Basicly something is digging in the coop, it just little tunnels I could fit my arm in. None of my birds have been harmed or eggs missing (nesting boxes are to high for that) But what could be doing this?

 

[Emzyyy]

weasel? muskrat? skunk?

 

[maymiegirl]

Nasty RATS!!!

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

Rats would be my quess. We have trouble with them from time to time.

 

[Cats Critters]

Eww..... how do I get reed of them and yes we have cats, even ones how hunt.

 

[ivan3]

What is the diameter of your arm? (diameter of holes/dirt piled up around opening or not/any tracks?/How far down into the holes can your reach????).

How long have the holes been there?

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

Well I use rat poison, the block type. I put it where none of my animals can get to it. I know alot of people wont agree with me, but it works. And I havent had any problems with any of my animals getting sick or dying from it.

 

[Cats Critters]

What is the diameter of your arm?

I would guess 4inches

dirt piled up around opening or not

no

any tracks

No

How far down into the holes can your reach?

have not tried

How long have the holes been there?

about a week or so, I fill them them, they apper again in a different place!​

 

[ivan3]

Four inch in diameter holes and no coop massacre.... This would make me think rats (but those would be some BIG rats).

A quick and cheap diagnostic: Wait until next holes appear: Place a couple of the BIG Victor Rat traps (raw bacon tied to treadle is good) near the holes and cover with an overturned plastic/wooden box weighted down so chooks can't move it.

Good luck (let us know what you get).

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

We get rats here as big as squirrels. They are huge.