[mintytwoshoes]

Hi Everyone,

A friend of mine has just lost four hens and a cockeral.  She is convinced that a large rat has killed them!
Has anyone had a similar experience ?  I would have thought a stoat or weasel would be more likely.
Any thoughts?

[harmony]

When you say lost do you mean gone or found dead? Did it all happen at the same time? Were they eaten?


Rats generally don't go for grown poultry but it is possible. They don't to my knowledge go on killing sprees unless young chicks or ducklings. Stoats or Mink are more likely and they usually pull the crop out.

[Marches Farmer]

Maybe a polecat?

[roddycm]

I have had bantams taken by rats! Evil buggers!

[chrismahon]

Chicks and bantams are at risk from rats. I have also heard of rats chewing feet off adults at night. Mink would be my suspect, but if they have all been killed at the same time I would say fox.

[mintytwoshoes]

thanks for thoughts - there were originally four hens and a cockeral - cockeral went first then a hen and a few days later two more hens and the last one afew days later.  I think they were just killed but I dont know any more details.  Interesting that others have had problems with rats.

Have a really blessed Christmas everyone!

[Azzdodd]

Big rats will as I've seen it happen to mine! I walked into the chicken shed an 4 large rats together eating a hen which had clearly been killed by them!

[billy_wiz]

I would think if they are getting enougth food from scraps they wouldn't, however they could give the chickens a fright which may cause a heart attack, then they may go for them.

[DavidandCollette]

On a more positive note I found a dead rat ina chicken run today