The Old Folks Home

[pennyJo1960]

as a child raised on a farm our cockerel raised chicks also or
became dinner they where just barnyard birds

 

[chickisoup]

I don't condemn the use just think about the other animals you wouldn't use pesticides where your chickens are for bugs that's all. I know that living where I do my cats take care of the mouse and rat problem and large rats I have a cat that catches full grown squirrels! But if the situation arises that I have to use poison then I will but I would take precautions as to what I use and how I use it to protect the natural predators.

This is exactly how I feel as well! I hope no one took my statements as bullying. I just stated, I thought anyway, what my particular situation is and how we choose to deal with it. I totally understand how different my location is from most of you. Although we only have 65 acres, we are located in the north, difference #1, and difference #2, our "back 40" is connected to and surrounded by thousands of acres of county forests, state owned wilderness and wetlands that are all directly connected to two National forests. I completely understand that we are connected to the ecosystem in a very unique way compared to those of you in a slightly less rural or even urban environments. having lived in large cities myself from time to time I totally understand the ridiculous size of the rat problem some of you face and that it requires a far different approach from the multiple approaches that are available to me. I was just trying to convey the choice I made and the reasons behind it. I apologize if Ron or anyone else misinterpreted my intent. I agree with you all!!! Going back to lurking now.

 

[microchick]

Chickadoodles, our dogs are the same way with stray cats and if one of our house cats gets out is a real chore to get them in before the dogs go out. I'd give anything for a few outdoor cats to work on the rodents. Our indoor kitties have done such a good job for us inside.

I put my broody hen back with the flock today. I witnessed her getting a little rough with her 24 day old chicks, picking one up by the neck feathers and lifting it off the ground and then dropping it, tuned to peck another chick. I announced "that's it, you are done being broody" and tossed her back with the laying hens. She immediately went back to the coop without a fuss. A couple of her babies are crying a little for her but daddy roosters are on the job.

I feel like I've opened a Pandora's box mentioning that I was being plagued by a rat. Sorry.

 

[perchie.girl]

Chickadoodles, our dogs are the same way with stray cats and if one of our house cats gets out is a real chore to get them in before the dogs go out. I'd give anything for a few outdoor cats to work on the rodents. Our indoor kitties have done such a good job for us inside.

I put my broody hen back with the flock today. I witnessed her getting a little rough with her 24 day old chicks, picking one up by the neck feathers and lifting it off the ground and then dropping it, tuned to peck another chick. I announced "that's it, you are done being broody" and tossed her back with the laying hens. She immediately went back to the coop without a fuss. A couple of her babies are crying a little for her but daddy roosters are on the job.

I feel like I've opened a Pandora's box mentioning that I was being plagued by a rat. Sorry.

Not really it needs to be discussed. One of the issues for us city folks is there are no predators to keep the population under check. Up at my house I use a pellet that is organic. the following link is similar. California has got some of the most rigid restrictions for pestacides.... Though one bite is sold in stores.

https://www.planetnatural.com/product/agrid3-pelleted-bait/

deb

 

[microchick]

Thanks for the link, @perchie.girl/deb. It's kinda sorta like the pet friendly antifreeze, isn't it?

I got two short rows of potatoes planted along with carrots, beets, radishes and spinach. Much to my dismay I discovered that about half of my onion starts rotted waiting to be planted. I'll have to buy more and hope it doesn't rain until I get them planted.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Quote:
Don't. It's an important topic, one that many of us have battled. I, too, struggled with rats and finally made the poison decision last year. That was after I had exhausted all other non-poison types of death and was going insane due to rats.

Now if I'm lucky I shoot them, but I don't always have a good/safe shot and they do get smart to it.

I know it's only Thursday, but anyone have fun weekend plans?

 

[microchick]

Thanks Superchemicalgirl. Much appreciated.

Nothing special planned here. Just DH and I for Easter. I think the key word is relax although any outdoor plans will pretty much depend on the weather.

 

[chickadoodles]

Microchick I am glad you brought up the subject. We don't have any hawks around our place, I guess because of the dogs. I see them watching pastures around ours though.
I brought up the subject tonight with my dh and he instantly brought up the dogs. I laughed and told him our dogs would not eat a dead rat or squirrel. And he knows it. I will be putting in an order with Amazon next week.


It will also only be dh and I for Easter dinner. We just got home from shopping for Easter dinner, it will be a small dinner but we wanted a small ham dinner.

 

[chickadoodles]

Quote: Hey Deb thanks for sharing this. I would be worried that birds and other animals might get this. I don't want to lose any of our birds. We have some woodpeckers that are on an endangered list and they have had several sets of chicks these last 4 year.

 

[microchick]

DH suggested the same thing. I would hope that it could be dispensed in a safe container resembling a Tom Cat Bait Holder.