Will Rats harm my Chicks?

[SunChick]

We have been fighting the rat population between our barn and the neighbors barn. I want to move my chicks out of my garage to the coop soon, they are about 3-4 weeks old but am worried about the big furries hurting them. I have standards and silkies--so different sizes. Would they? I am looking into getting one of those Rat Zapper contraptions--they had a good review in one of the poultry mags. Anyone use one of these? Chicks can't get into one of these can they? I don't want to put bait down, cause the rats move it constantly and I have a 4-legged 800 lb dog (ok 2yr old horse) that I have to worry about eating everything! I swear those rats laugh at me when I check the coop at night and I can't reach the hoe fast enough to whack them! Furry Devils!!

 

[Freebie]

Thats exactly why I got my two barn cats. The rats would just keep playing when I went in the barn. Now the only rats I see are dead. And that is not very often anymore.

 

[Critter Crazy]

A Friend of mine just lost his chicks to Rats, so yes they will kill chicks.

 

[SunChick]

Non pun intended. but RATS!

Ok anyone use the rat zapper? Guess I need to move my broody T-rex..

 

[Critter Crazy]

Quote:
are you refering to the ultra sonic thing?? If you are they dont work, but if you are talking about something else I dont know.

 

[Critter Crazy]

By the way, the chicks my friend lost were Silkies! they were hatched by a broody, and even with mum around, the rats still got them.

 

[SunChick]

Not an ultrasonic device. Traps and shocks the crap out of them...Just dont want the chicks to wander in it.

 

[mom'sfolly]

Just curious, I couldn't stand to have such a hyper animal, but has anyone ever had a ratting dog like a Jack Russel terror, umm terrier, to fight a rat problem? I don't know how they would be around chickens. I've been told they are great at rodent control. I'm hoping my neighbors outside cats will take care any problems for me. My 3 kitties stay inside. Two of them were afraid of the peeps in the brooder, but none were allowed alone with them.

Karen

 

[maggiePI]

I wouldn't leave any dog alone with chicks for extended periods of time. Why not put them in a wire cage till they get big enough to defend themselves? How many do you have? I was able to make instant nighttime safe places for my feathered friends by using dog kennels (wire) and rabbit hutches. I also made a hardware cloth wooden framed one with chicken wire bottom so the whole thing was wrapped in wire - but I know for sure a dog could get into that so my home base for overnighting in that one is on solid concrete with a weight on top. Never underestimate the safety needs of your fowl - everybody likes eating chickens!

 

[maggiePI]

I forgot to add that I used a zapper on mice in a very small enclosed space and it appeared to be effective. However there were no tasty young chickens at risk. I think they might keep them away from a space in general but I would not risk my babies on a trial. Might help with pilfering of feed though.