Strange Tracks in Pen *Logical Conclusion on Page 46*

[chedva]

Thanks to Google...
Rats can reach sexual maturity at 5 weeks of age....Rats do not have a breeding season, although very hot or cold temperatures will reduce breeding. Females of breeding age come into heat all year-round, every 4 to 5 days, unless they are pregnant, and even then, they may come in heat once or twice early in the pregnancy. Each female usually has a regular schedule that can be marked on the calendar, but it can vary. Each heat usually begins in the evening and lasts most of the night.

...In rats, the average litter size is 6-13 pups

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

*yikes*

 

[foxinachickenhouse]

A rat is a rat. I say break out a good old fashioned snap trap. I have cared for pet rats myself but this is no pet and realistically, the rat needs to go. It's stardom has lengthened it's life already by an extra month. I'm just surprised there is only one.

On the huge raccoon topic. Late one evening way back when, 3 of my high school friends and I were driving up the hill in our town (in north Idaho). We saw what looked to be a small bear cross the road, only it moved funny, and had an arched back as it walked. It was the biggest raccoon I have ever seen or heard of. It's back came up to the top of the door/ bottom of window on my little Subaru. We were all so shocked and still talk about it to this day. They can get real big is all I have to say.

 

[kfchickenlady]

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YIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIKES!!!!! that would be scary, Im glad I didnt see that!

 

[the1honeycomb]

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[SilkieChickenLover336]

WELL, i guess my snake/rat/ghost idea didnt work out after all

To think i alreadt called ghost busters!!!! illl just tell them it was fluffy......

 

[Cass]

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Maybe they'll come out to your place and make Fluffy a ghost for you.

 

[CopperCT]

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I agree...pets are one thing...wild rats are entirely another thing.....the google search was right....they grow up at lightning speed and multiply ridiculously fast. Time for Fluffy to go before she finds a mate.

Unless of course she really is a Fluffy ghost...ghosts can't get in the family way...can they??

 

[mtngrl812]

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I am glad to hear your troubles are coming to and end and if nothing else you at least don't have to worry about walking out to a snake. As you are trying to catch Fluffy remember that rats can carry disease along with fleas and ticks. They are subject to rabies as well. I have heard of rats eating chickens eggs, and even killing small chicks. So you don't want Fluffy having family to feed, that will require more than just a few scrapes of hen scratch. Rats are really smart and if you make the trap too inviting you might be giving out a warning. Set the trap some place by other stuff (like you forgot it and the old cat food in it) next to cans or old wood what ever you have setting around close by. Guarantee you Fluffy isn't staying just by the coops!!
Good luck, and thanks for the entertainment

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Well, i got the big trap out tonight, mooshed chicken scratch into peanut butter on the trip plate, covered it in a blanket, and blocked off his pathway to the other side of the pen so he would have to go into the trap.

If i don't catch him tonight *please cover your eyes sensitive rat lovers* but the pellet gun is coming out tomorrow. As much as i hate the thought of harming any creature, i can't let him run around the coops night after night indefinitely.

Of course i set the game cam to catch all the action.