The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: garden cottage on January 04, 2009, 09:34:41 pm

Title: no rat problem now
Post by: garden cottage on January 04, 2009, 09:34:41 pm
after having suffered with constant furry visitors ever since the poultry arrived under the houses around the feed shed etc and no amount of trapping poison or air rifle made any difference we are now rat free. and whats caused this you ask?  we took on 2 new kittens which are now 6months old plus our existing 2 older ones so 4 in total, havent seen any rats and more important no mess or runs anywhere since.......................neil
Title: Re: no rat problem now
Post by: doganjo on January 05, 2009, 12:53:14 am
Yup, my two gingers keep them at bay too - we have just removed a big daddy rat from the back garden that Rio killed.  And they don't bother the chickens, that job is left to the Brittanys!  Found Freckles inside the chicken run with a hen's tail feathers caught in her teeth.  My son had to twist her ear to make her let go! :o
Title: Re: no rat problem now
Post by: Hardfeather on January 05, 2009, 07:43:48 am
It's strange this year here.

I usually get an influx of rats just after harvest time and, although I poison them, and regularly hunt them with terrier and lurcher, I have an ongoing problem all winter.

This year, however, I poisoned the first lot and I haven't seen any sign since. The dogs, usually so good at marking live workings, haven't shown any interest at all.

So, for the moment, and since October, no rats.!!?

Incidently, I see your bowtop waggon, cottage garden...........I have a friend who lives in one all year round and takes it on the road several times a year.

Do you have any horses about you?

We have four here, three piebalds and a grey.........all handy types for driving.  :)
Title: Re: no rat problem now
Post by: garden cottage on January 05, 2009, 11:04:22 pm
we have a bowtop in the garden hand built, restored by a friend of ours its actually owned by father in law,at the moment is only used for shows fetes and my girls love it best wendy house ever! we have both horse drawn shafts and an a frame so i can tow it with our vintage tractor. very cosy with small woodburner in...............neil
Title: Re: no rat problem now
Post by: Hardfeather on January 06, 2009, 07:44:18 am
 :) :) :)