The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

I got one of the Rat Zappers this winter. You're not supposed to use them outside but I put it in a plastic rubbermade container and cut a hole in the side where they can go in. I'll have to take a photo...the rubbermade (which probably isn't rubbermade at all) is just big enough for it to fit in with the lid shut. Anyhow, I have no evidence of rats or mice INSIDE the shed at this point, but a lot of trails outside this year. I think that they found a nice warm place to hang out under a heated dog bowl that I had in the run for awhile.

I was also seeing footprints that I was concerned might be a weasel and I was hoping the zapper might work for those. I'm still not sure what the prints were.

I set that zapper just outside the pop door and whenever it was set, I caught a mouse every time. I just keep it set all the time and it seems to keep getting them. I haven't seen any rats yet, however. Perhaps if I keep the rat zapper on I can avoid getting an infestation inside. I use sunflower seeds as bait but could probably put a little meat in there for rats.


I don't remember who on this thread recommended the zapper but this is where I heard of it.

They're NOT cheap.
http://www.amazon.com/Rat-Zapper-Ul...TF8&qid=1396044646&sr=8-2&keywords=rat+zapper

 

[CoopChick719]

I hope you don't have a rat like this one.

Good gravy!! That rat is huge!! I would hate to see that even in my yard let alone my kitchen!!

 

[Scott H]

If I saw that in my kitchen I would be grabbin' one of the shotguns and patching two holes.....

 

[Shan30]

What's with the  crows today?  I was beginning to feel like Tippi Hendren in The Birds only without the phone booth.  They were everywhere.

Can we speak of rats and mice for a minute?  We have battled them even before I had chickens.  We do not have garbage or anything else out for them to feed on except for when I fed the little birds out of a feeder and have had them always.  There is a pig farm not so far from us and we are smack in the center of a wooded area with a stream running through.  I finally relieved myself of feeling "dirty" because of it.  I noticed the mice trails in the snow all winter.  What does anyone do?  No mice or rat poison.

Finally, Wrinkles seems to be doing fine.  Not sure of the issue but he seems to be back to normal.  I'm so happy!

If you find a solution, I would love to know about it! I have definitely come to the conclusion that there are tons in the forest. We have been battling them in the coop all winter. Big snap traps and a pellet gun have worked best so far. I think we are going to line the entire building with hardware cloth. I don't think we can keep them from being around though. At least they are forest rats and not city rats!

 

[hellbender]

I hope you don't have a rat like this one.

They fixed the hole that allowed the rat in...They really need to fix the hole the rat came out of! I suspect that must have been from a troupe of Norway rats, out to ravage and plunder their Scandinavian neighbors....then to Europe and off to the commit Norse Jihad on the Great and lesser Satans. But we're ready for 'em!

 

[hellbender]

If you find a solution, I would love to know about it! I have definitely come to the conclusion that there are tons in the forest. We have been battling them in the coop all winter. Big snap traps and a pellet gun have worked best so far. I think we are going to line the entire building with hardware cloth. I don't think we can keep them from being around though. At least they are forest rats and not city rats!

My 'second shift' (Patterdale Terriers) takes care of every kind of varmint, from bears to field mice.

 

[Jewelwing]

OK, I have to post some pictures just to bump the rat off.

Here's how chickens eat a pumpkin:



Here's the insulated base I made for my water dish, hoping it would keep it from freezing quite so fast this winter. I think it worked somewhat. The pink is that solid foam insulation.

 

[Jewelwing]

More pictures. This is baby Adele (now 8 months old). She got her name because my daughter liked the name Adele and this chick looked like an Adelie penguin.



Here is Big Momma as a baby (baby big momma?)


And here she is now:

 

[Leahs Mom]

Here's the insulated base I made for my water dish, hoping it would keep it from freezing quite so fast this winter. I think it worked somewhat. The pink is that solid foam insulation.

Do you start out with hot water in it? How do you keep them from stepping in it?

 

[subhanalah]

If you find a solution, I would love to know about it! I have definitely come to the conclusion that there are tons in the forest. We have been battling them in the coop all winter. Big snap traps and a pellet gun have worked best so far. I think we are going to line the entire building with hardware cloth. I don't think we can keep them from being around though. At least they are forest rats and not city rats!

Snake poop. I put it in my garage when I was having problems out there. Works like a charm!