LaraCroft 863 Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 I'm struggling to get rid of a rat in the garden. I have tried traps, and a bait box, but it is still here. I have read through the FAQ's and tried a variety of different traps, and have removed all bar the one food source from anywhere near. I keep chickens, and the rat is taking food from the feeders. I have moved them, but he is following. There are a couple of out buildings, but no evidence of anything in them, so I assume he is coming in from the woods that surround the garden. I have lurchers - neither of the workers have dealt with rats, and I have a neighbour with a cat, so I don't want my dogs thinking that hunting in their own garden is allowed - so I am reluctant to let them deal with it. I have a 20 bore, but have only ever shot clays and birds, never at anything on the ground. Any advice/ideas ? Quote Link to post
MAIN MAN 277 Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 put a tray with food in out in the open chicken pen! it will take a few days for him to come to it, wait till dusk he will show then blow him in to next week!!! Quote Link to post
coley_airgunner 14 Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 How long you leave the bait box down its better to just leave for a few days gets rid of human scent good luck. I was told peanuts or peanut butter is great bait for rats Quote Link to post
coley_airgunner 14 Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 My 3 year old loves this goes to school singing it Quote Link to post
LaraCroft 863 Posted March 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 Thanks Paulus ! It wasn't rat in the kitchen, it was mice - but I dealt with them ! Coley - It was down for 5 days before I checked it, then on looking on here, I put a new one in a new area and left it 2 weeks in case I was upsetting things. I put peanut butter, and some chicken pellets and cat food in, to cover all tastes ! Main Man - I havent shot into the ground before - or I'd have blasted the bloody thing. I'm worried about lead shot on the ground with having chooks Quote Link to post
paulus 26 Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 Thanks Paulus ! It wasn't rat in the kitchen, it was mice - but I dealt with them ! Coley - It was down for 5 days before I checked it, then on looking on here, I put a new one in a new area and left it 2 weeks in case I was upsetting things. I put peanut butter, and some chicken pellets and cat food in, to cover all tastes ! Main Man - I havent shot into the ground before - or I'd have blasted the bloody thing. I'm worried about lead shot on the ground with having chooks buy some steel carts then Quote Link to post
LaraCroft 863 Posted March 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 Thanks Paulus ! It wasn't rat in the kitchen, it was mice - but I dealt with them ! Coley - It was down for 5 days before I checked it, then on looking on here, I put a new one in a new area and left it 2 weeks in case I was upsetting things. I put peanut butter, and some chicken pellets and cat food in, to cover all tastes ! Main Man - I havent shot into the ground before - or I'd have blasted the bloody thing. I'm worried about lead shot on the ground with having chooks buy some steel carts then I tried - the local gun shop only does them for the 12, not the 20, and I can't shoot the 12 anymore ! Quote Link to post
paulus 26 Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 Thanks Paulus ! It wasn't rat in the kitchen, it was mice - but I dealt with them ! Coley - It was down for 5 days before I checked it, then on looking on here, I put a new one in a new area and left it 2 weeks in case I was upsetting things. I put peanut butter, and some chicken pellets and cat food in, to cover all tastes ! Main Man - I havent shot into the ground before - or I'd have blasted the bloody thing. I'm worried about lead shot on the ground with having chooks buy some steel carts then I tried - the local gun shop only does them for the 12, not the 20, and I can't shoot the 12 anymore ! im sure someone will send you a couple you can even order online at justcartridges Quote Link to post
LaraCroft 863 Posted March 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 Thanks Paulus ! It wasn't rat in the kitchen, it was mice - but I dealt with them ! Coley - It was down for 5 days before I checked it, then on looking on here, I put a new one in a new area and left it 2 weeks in case I was upsetting things. I put peanut butter, and some chicken pellets and cat food in, to cover all tastes ! Main Man - I havent shot into the ground before - or I'd have blasted the bloody thing. I'm worried about lead shot on the ground with having chooks buy some steel carts then I tried - the local gun shop only does them for the 12, not the 20, and I can't shoot the 12 anymore ! im sure someone will send you a couple you can even order online at justcartridges He can get them in, but it's a special order, so it isn't cheap, and I would have to buy a whole box ! I know I am not the best shot, but sheesh, I would hope I wouldn't need a whole box to get 1 bloody rat ! I was hoping I was just putting the wrong trap in the wrong place, and that I wouldn't have to get the gun out at all Quote Link to post
Bunny Boiler 177 Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 Is he eating out of the feeders in the coop? If so, make it so there is only one way into the coop, and sit a Fenn trap in there surely? Stop jumping between methods and stick to one, you'll catch him eventually. And if there is one, it makes me think there's probably alot more, rats wouldn't live on their own if there is a decent food source and shelter... Also, if you're noticing it, it probably means it's because there is more than one. However, I haven't seen everything, so you may be right... Quote Link to post
LaraCroft 863 Posted March 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 Is he eating out of the feeders in the coop? If so, make it so there is only one way into the coop, and sit a Fenn trap in there surely? Stop jumping between methods and stick to one, you'll catch him eventually. And if there is one, it makes me think there's probably alot more, rats wouldn't live on their own if there is a decent food source and shelter... Also, if you're noticing it, it probably means it's because there is more than one. However, I haven't seen everything, so you may be right... The feeder is on the patio ( dry days ) and under a tree about 25 yards down the garden on wet days. There is no food in the coop, and the chooks are free range in the garden from early morning to early evening. I kept their food store in a shed ( brick, concrete floor, wood door) until about 6 weeks ago when I noticed the door was being chewed. Moved food, cleaned out shed and reinforced the bottom of the door - no sign of rat since. Then I saw rat running across garden to get to feeder. I moved feeder and saw it again a few days later. Put a bait box near to where I saw him coming into the garden - then checked it each day. Realised that may be putting him off after looking on here, so replaced box and put in new position, and left it for 2 weeks - and still seeing rat. No idea if it is the same ( or the only ) one - but it runs the same path across from fence to pond, to a pile of stones, then to feeder, and back. Would a trap be better ? Quote Link to post
FENN 24 Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 The problem is that you need to remove the chicken food so the rats cant get at it maybe put the feeders up on something or a very good idea is to have feeders that work with treadle the lid of the feeder only opens when the chicken treads or goes on the perch .you can see such feeders on the internet for sale or you can make them yourself .just put in rat proof chicken feeders on google .this way you have removed the food from the rats then they will take the bait no problem as there wont be any other food available. Quote Link to post
Bunny Boiler 177 Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 Hang the feeder off a tree branch with a chain. The rat won't be able to access it, but the chickens will. Simple solution. Quote Link to post
moxy 617 Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 Hang the feeder off a tree branch with a chain. The rat won't be able to access it, but the chickens will. Simple solution. Dont be so sure of yourself there fella, a rat can and will climb just as well as a squirrel. Even copper pipe and tubular steel Quote Link to post
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