[Yolky]

Oh good point about the galvanised wire under the shed bit. I shall make sure we do that when we do our concerete base. I have cut back lots of the boarder growth in the garden too so there isn't so many places to hide.

[Kate and her Ducks]

we,ve just got some too,they look so cute that i hate to poison them but know i have too,will have to get the poison tomo!!!!

Yep, the little ones can be cute. They spread diease, eat your chooks food and kill and eat chicks.

Kill 'em, they're the enemy

[Piglit's Pullets]

Hiya,

I think that there is a thread on here about rat control, using 'pipe traps' along known runs and using the expensive yet safe and effective bait blocks.  We have horses behind us and open countryside beyond that so rats are a real problem as several people keep chickens in the village.  One friend has almost every trap on the market and has bought a night vision lens for his delux air rifle so he can lie in wait for them with out upsetting the chickens...       ..... it is a very effective method.  With a small dog, we have opted for the old pipe with poison in the middle of it.   :twisted:  

Hope the hunt is productive and giving good results.

Cheerio, Piglit

PS Rats = plague

[Porffor]

my brother and I had a pet 'fancy' rat when we were young, she was dead sweet and very clean. We were all really sad when she died of a brain tumour  :cry:

I also had pet rats as a teen and was amazed how clean they are (much more so than guinea pigs).

BUT.. I had to go down the line of killing rats in our garden, as much for us and our neighbours as our chooks. Wasn't something I liked, but I had to remove myself from the 'cute' pet rats train of thought.

[milly8]

we,ve just got some too,they look so cute that i hate to poison them but know i have too,will have to get the poison tomo!!!!

Yep, the little ones can be cute. They spread diease, eat your chooks food and kill and eat chicks.

Kill 'em, they're the enemy

tried to get some rat poison today but cant find any in shops,have to go further afield.our rat is now brave enough to walk around in the chickens larger run while they in it and they just look at it!!!it has to go!!!!!

[Kate and her Ducks]

I got some eradibait over the internet. Liked the sound of something non-toxic to birds and wildlife. Bought a huge tub as assumed that they will be an ongoing problem. Haven't had to refill the traps in months!!!! No evidence of rats after the first 5 days. Think its great!!! If you struggle to get any could always send you some, just pm me.