We have a visitor...

[mommto3kiddos]

So my neighbors tree fell in a storm and they just threw it against their side of our joining privacy fence. Well after discovering several "holes" under the fence from our yard to the brush we finally saw the culprit. A HUGE frickin rat. My chicks are to move to the coop this weekend & I know he will just LOVE their feed when they do..

I can not throw out rat poison b/c of dogs/ chickens/ & neighborhood animals.. I have never tried to capture a rat, so I would LOVE any tips, thanks..

Oh and my husband asked the neighbors if they planned on clearing the brush and they answered "not anytime soon".. nice huh

 

[rhs7111]

The rat may also love to eat your chicks. We've had rats kill our pullets and smaller hens. Plus, if you see one rat, rest assured there are many others lurking. My suggeston would be to rat-proof your coop prior to putting any chicks in it.

 

[mommto3kiddos]

Oh wow I didn't know they could take on a chicken, but Im sure he would love one of my bantam chicks.. UGH

Whats the best way to keep out rodents? The super small chicken wire?

 

[crj]

I would let the neighbor know that they have rats in the bushes and trees. Make sure to tell them that you saw the rat several times and a couple of times you saw it go into there house/garage/ under there cars.... anything to get them freaked out where they get rid of the rat housing.

 

[mommto3kiddos]

Would 1/4 Mesh Hardware Cloth keep them out??

 

[Celtic Chick]

And make sure you tell all of the neighbors too. If you all complain, they should do something about it. Who wants rats in their neighborhood? They just spread disease and parasites.
Get some welded wire mesh, not chicken wire. Rats can bite right through chicken wire. And they can really devastate a chicken coop. And with all the feed, they'll be making a b-line right for yours.
Good luck. I hope your rat problem is over soon!

 

[Celtic Chick]

Quote:
It should. The smaller the holes & thicker the wire, the better.

 

[BarefootMom]

Quote:
it should

they have rat snap traps that you could bait with peanut butter or bacon fat--works really well

 

[Celtic Chick]

Quote:
it should

they have rat snap traps that you could bait with peanut butter or bacon fat--works really well

Only bad thing about that is that dogs & other critters can get caught in it too.

 

[Badbaby05]

Try a big wooden rat trap with a big glob of peanut butter. Put it out after the chickens are up for the night and check it first thing in the morning. Put it close to the hole you have seen. Oh and make sure to take a shovel with you when you go to check it, easier to scoop it up then, then have to find it then go back and face it again to dispose of it.