The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: dreamer on March 26, 2010, 12:39:09 pm

Title: what is gnawing at the door
Post by: dreamer on March 26, 2010, 12:39:09 pm

Hi all any clues to what is tryingt to get into my hen house over night , must have sharp teeth has stripped off a patch about 7 inches by 2" left shavings about an inch by quarter of an inch all over the floor. is it a rat, mice, squirrell, polecat, fox, beaver???
There was no food in 
the coop at the time unless you eat chuck.

Title: Re: what is gnawing at the door
Post by: shetlandpaul on March 26, 2010, 01:36:42 pm

seeing were you live the odds would be a fox. you need to toughen up the coop or your chucks are going to be fox food. maybe get some steel mesh on the door and lower part. make sure your door and holes are very secure.

Title: Re: what is gnawing at the door
Post by: CameronS on March 26, 2010, 06:54:07 pm

RATS,
 foxes don't really gnaw as such,

Title: Re: what is gnawing at the door
Post by: little blue on March 26, 2010, 07:45:25 pm

2nd vote for rats.  though Ive no idea about what polecats would do!

Title: Re: what is gnawing at the door
Post by: shetlandpaul on March 26, 2010, 10:40:05 pm

us up here do. you would be down a coop full of chucks. were surrounded by crofters that trap them so we have been luck. we only have lost one in two years. imagine a very hungrey bad tempered ferret. also there is a slight risk of otters for those that live close to water. please don't worry were not evil backwards folks they were introduced to control the introduced rabbits. we have a very large bunny population so they must fancy a change every now and again. our close neighbour lost all her bantams to them this year.

Title: Re: what is gnawing at the door
Post by: dreamer on March 27, 2010, 06:56:41 am

Thanks for the responses, the coop now has some extra protection and the rat traps are set. As for the beaver problem im dammed if i know what to do about them!!!!!

Title: Re: what is gnawing at the door
Post by: Hermit on March 27, 2010, 09:00:56 am

Sounds like rats , if there was a fox there would be signs of digging and scent as well.We have a naughty otter that has taken two ducks one wild duck that lived with the geese and our large but old drake.They love duck  :&> :yum: No foxes up here but talking to the pest control man and rats are now rife in Shetland as the council have been told rat poison all around the harbours is now a no no by officialdom. A local farm is having a real problem, it was only a matter of time. :(