[Chicken_Lover]

Neighbor just pulled us out into the garden and told us that him and a couple of friends had witnessed a rat scurry across their garden, our garden and then into the other garden next to us. We're worried now, for our chickens, so could any of you advise me on how to solve the problem and get rid of the rat humanely?

[grinling]

You could buy a big spring rat trap and bait, or a cage trap and shoot. Is your run rat proofed and food out of the way. Also mesh proof compost bins.

[Chicken_Lover]

Runs well secure, will take your suggestions into account

[Aunt Sally]

Don't do this yourself.  Ask your parents to do it !

[themagicaltoad1]

I just bought 2 new rat traps from fleabay. They seemed a bit weak, and sure enough they snapped down on the rats and were carried off up the garden where the b*****s wriggled out of them. We have poison down too, but whether you have chickens or not there will always be rats about.

[Chicken_Lover]

We have a rat cage down, all the time, one rat has already been shot and killed, and we have poison down as well.

[ANHBUC]

Be very careful with the poison that no other animal or child can get to it.  You need to be careful that pets and chickens don't eat vermin that has been poisoned.  Owls and birds of prey can also die if they eat poisoned vermin.   

[Anndee]

Magicaltoad, try attaching some string to the trap and fasten it to something. that way the rat cannot pull the trap away. We bought a rat trap off Ebay and it seems to do the trick but you do need to secure it
Anne

[Beano]

Our neighbour was nasty and very shouty with us and called out the council. The problem was solved by the council in a very efficient way (good). Our neighbour does not speak to us any more (good). Unfortunately we have received a bill from the council of £32 for the call out even though we didnt call them (never mind). The good thing is that the rats are gone from here and next door and according to the rat man, we get to keep all the poison blocks "until the next time". He knew where to put them safe from other animals and pets, so maybe the council is a good idea.

[8doubles]

Magicaltoad, try attaching some string to the trap and fasten it to something. that way the rat cannot pull the trap away. We bought a rat trap off Ebay and it seems to do the trick but you do need to secure it
Anne

Steel wire or chain is better for securing traps, string will be bitten through in seconds if the rat is trying to escape.