Ratting in Lincolnshire

[shell 42]

Had a phone call during the week from a friend in Lincolnshire, who's mate owns a chicken farm. The chicken shed had been emptied and our services were required to go and wipe some rats out.

 

So up early yesterday morning, on the road for 7:30am, dropped nipper off at mums for the day, and away we went. Arrived at Alans at 9:30am, had some breakfast then set off to the chicken farm. Upon arrival things didn't look too promising. Had a scout around, not many holes, not really much sign of life. This is the fourth time we've done this chicken farm, usually get 40-60 a day. Thought we may have had a wasted journey this time.

 

Unload our 3 dogs out of the car, Atol the big collie greyhound, and Pendle and Imbra the 2 Borders. Alan gets his dogs out, 2 Borders and one cross bred thing. Walked round to the side of the shed we were starting on, and the dogs were straight in marking a hole. Without any intervention, a big fat rat comes running out of the hole and is caught by Atol. She's not a fantastic lurcher, but she puts her heart and soul into whatever it is she is doing. She excels at ratting. If she says there is something there, there IS something there.

 

Get the smoker going and get it in the hole the dogs are marking, within seconds rats are flying everywhere, grown men are screaming as the rats are running towards them (what are they like... thought men were supposed to be harder than women ). Dogs catch a good few, Atol is still marking, there are more in there, get the spades out and we start digging.

 

 

Another batch come running out and are caught by the dogs. Carry on digging and find 3 nests of young. In all, we've had about 15 rats (not including young) from this one area.

 

 

 

 

We move on to the next mark from Atol. Leave the smoker for this one as the ground is quite soft. Get digging and a big rat comes running out, this time Imbra beats Atol to it and catches.

 

 

 

 

Carry on digging and catch a good few more from this area. Work our way along the side of the shed, and then round to the other side. Atol is still marking a drainage pipe on the first side of the shed, that we've already tried to get the rat out of, with no luck. We are at the other side, Malcs got the smoker going and all of a sudden there is a surge of rats, I shout Atol and she comes storming round to us and mops up about half the rats before the terriers have had the chance.

 

 

Mop up a good few more, then move on to the inside of the the chicken shed. Wasn't expecting much inside. Chickens were out, concrete floor, no food lying about. Had a look in the dim light, found a few holes. Owner tells us where he sees them and we get ready to go. Dogs in position, smoker on, in the cavity and we're away. Nothing at first, then all of a sudden rats are bolting all over in the narrow half of the shed, from little holes in the walls, between the ply divides. Catch a dozen in one half of the building. Go round to the next side and do the same. Don't catch as many here, maybe 8 or 9.

 

Check a few more holes around the site, catch a few more rats. By now we're on the 3rd bucket. And decide to call it a day as dinner is ready.

 

Have a tot up... best ever day with a tally of 132 rats, not including the 10 or 11 nests we found.

 

 

 

 

Retire back to the owners house for a couple of beers and some beef stew, have a check over the dogs and settle them in the back of the pick up, then get in the car and make the way back home.

 

All in all, a great days sport!

 

Shell

Edited October 16, 2006 by shell

[Guest stantheman]

wat away to spend a sunday, looks good fun shell.

[Fletcher 0]

Well done, nice pics. Could do with a day like that myself.

[Simoman 110]

Good going, looking forward to some days out myself over the winter so leave them Lincolnshire rats alone, there mine :11:

[shell 42]

Simoman... I'm sure there's plenty of rats to go round!

 

Can't beat a good days ratting!

 

Shell

[wilba1985 0]

excellent read that mate what a day you had there

[jultaylor1972 2]

I really enjoyed reading that post! Cant wait to go ratting myself! Looks like it was a fantastic day.

[tom_patterdale 0]

great post there mate! nice pics n dogs!

[wingnut 27]

great post and cracking pictures, would of loved to of been there cant beat a bit of ratting :thumbs-up:

[snoopdog 1,256]

you beat a good days ratting going myself next sunday well done chaps ...

[david2363 42]

Beef stew ? - are you sure it was BEEF stew?

[lone wolf 0]

looks a good squad mate

[deep dig 3]

nice one shell keep at um mate

[JODYFOXHUNTER 0]

Looks like you had a bit of fun there, There's nothing like ratting for turning grown men into squeling little girls... we've had some right cracks. Excitement seems to hit an all time high when they de-tour up your mates leg, once past the knee sheer panic / morris dancing on speed takes over...laughing so much you can't draw breath. Never done any good with a smoker though, just can't get them to shift... put excess oil in etc.... even tried a length of hose on a gas bottle (don't try this at home kids!) ....any tips?????

Jb (Lincoln)

[beagles 0]

gd pics mate what do you thinks beta strimmer engine or chainsaw?