white belly wood rats!!

[wildflower]

Well, the good news is we have lessened the population. 12 rats so far and the last time we put four traps out, only got one small one, it was inside the rabbit hutch. I have the feeling that like knowing there is a cat, they are getting the idea that they will be killed if they enter. I am putting away all food at night as well, so I am sure the lack of buffet will drive them else where. (hopefully not into my house) No, they didn't chew through the hardware cloth, I guess have been squeezing through in areas that are overlapped. We tied everything together with wire, but those guys will find a place to squeeze in. Yesturday, I found a pocket of 17 eggs, all the same pale green from an Aracana, way out under a tree on the other side of the yard. I am sure this was the girl sitting on a nest when I saw a rat run out! I don't blame her, I would go elsewhere as well! I have baby goats comming today and wanted to touch base on another subject, someoone mentioned that goats are alergic to something in poultry feed. I understand that if I get it wet, the goats won't want it, so this is the plan, but wondering what it is that they are alergic to? My plan was to feed the birds after they were put to bed at night, then they could get up in the morning and eat (after the rat problem is gone) Now we have two ducks and I understand that they have to have water near their food because they only eat wet food. Is this true. They do mix it all up and slurp it, but is this necessary? Is it bad for them to eat it dry? I now have the chickens loving the ducks gruely wet mash and see the ducks going for the chicken feeder.........oh, what to do! Thanks everyone for the wisdom and experience!! Oh, and by the way, yes, my cat does play with her prey, but kills and eats them as well, so there is torture involved. Yuck

 

[wildflower]

On a side note, they are white bellied rats. Very common is San Diego, lots of canyons in the city and out here they are the rat du jour. The plan after trapping them is releasing them in the wildlife reserve about 5 miles from here.

 

[CUDA]

Trapping and releasing rats! You know, I am all for animal welfare, but we are talking rats here! Part of the responsibility of owning livestock is to dispatch of vermin, like it or not. If you are not willing to kill a few rats, what's going to happen when they start killing your birds, or other varmints attack your flock? I am not trying to be mean, or tell you what to do, but growing up in a rural area, you learn that doing these things are necessary, and if you try to relocate every animal you catch, you will lose that battle every time. (BTW, I respect your opinion, these are just my thoughts on the matter) Thanks.

 

[wildflower]

Cuda. Well, I figure they were here first, they are the natural fauna of the area and the reserve is full of Cayote's and owls that are more than happy to help. This is a huge area that a few native rats will not effect and quite frankly I would rather relocate than kill. I clearly did opt to kill because of the risk to my livestock, and as you say the "responsible" thing to do, but when under control, I will maintain by trapping. Each person has to do what is right for themselves. Sorry to ruffle your feathers.

 

[CUDA]

No feathers ruffled here...lol. Just friendly conversation, like I said, I respect your views, they are just different than mine. To each their own.

 

[LynneP]

About cats- one cat can't handle an infestation. We have 25 ferals using the property and because there are rats on neighbouring farms I assume that the presence of so many cats here is the reason we have a 'clean' property.

Cats are best used as prevention after you solve the problem. There is a thread on this site that explains how to use a minnow bucket to poison rats without contaminating soil or endangering the chickens and other farm animals. It involves setting poison in the confinement of the bucket which has a hole in the top. Another thread explains how to use tube traps to prevent the chickens and other animals from accessing the poison. As with all suggestions, how do you deal with a rat body that is contaminated before another predator feeds and dies from it????

Pesonally I'd get out my 0.22 and systematically bait and shoot them, but I'm sure others woul,d find this repugnant.

It's a tough problem. Some breeds of dogs are ratters but you'd have to innoculate for rabies.