[harry]

As a relitive newby i dont know if this has been covered before but this is how i stop feeding rats... if you have poultry or not there are rats nearby, if you feed them then you have loads..... GET  a piece of metal, stiff plastic or glass about the size of a med to large patio table ( i use a metal patio table top) a plastic one from a car boot will do, place it on a centre pedastal of bricks or a big log or wooden post banged into the ground, table top needs to be about 18" of the ground out of reach of a rat, place 2 bricks on top of the table in the centre then place your feed bin or hoper on the bricks... the chickens etc can jump onto the table but rats cannot climb from underneath... the reason for 2 bricks on top is as the feed hoper gets empty it gets lighter and 2 chickens jumping up can tople the lot over... it doesnt work for ducks but it does stop my ducks raiding all the chickens pellets as they cannot jump up............. CROWS  MAGPIES..... i also had a problem with crows eating the feed, they can eat a lot... i  put the feed hoper inside a wire encloser with a wire roof and sides to trap the crow so i could shoot it but found that the crows would not go inside the pop hole into the wire enclosure .... harry

[northfifeduckling]

could you send a picture of the contraption, Harry? I doubt that my ducks could hop, lol, but I cover the food at night with a heavy board. Crows are only seasonal here (now!), it will pass when they grow up to eat more interesting food...

[doganjo]

My solution is not to feed ad lib.  I have measured exactly how much they need per bird, multiply that up by number of birds and divide by three - they get three meals a day in a big flat dish same as me and the dogs, no waste, no mess, no vermin.  They get vegetables from time to time, I remove what isn't eaten in a day, they get an extra meal of porridge, honey and milk every couple of days too, same for that - put down, eaten, lift plate.

[The Relic]

can i be a chicken at your house

[catomell]

I do have rats, but all my poultry feeders are suspended about six inches from the ground - the chickens can easily reach the food, but rats find it more difficult. Also, I have two collies and a labrador who are under the distinct impression that they are actually terriers, and spend the majority of their time scenting rats, digging them out and killing them - perhaps I am breaking the law by hunting with three dogs rather than two?

[doganjo]

Hmm, yes - I did wonder about that too - my four dogs and two cats would make short work of any rat popping it's head up from the burn, but maybe I should check with my Policeman neighbour if I am allowed to let them hunt on my own land .
Why do you want to be one of my chickens, Relic - does the porridge and honey tempt you?   Or is it the regimentation.  Vee huv vays uv making you sqok;D

[harry]

northfifeduckling..... TROUBLE IS RATS dont just come out at night they will feed all day but you may not see them as they notice you before you notice them....if you want it for duck feed its no good as ducks cant seem to get up on the table will see about a photo next week.. harry

[shetlandpaul]

traps and poison. and cats but not together.

[The Relic]

porridge and honey is my favourite. im lucky to get a slice of toast in the mornings. usually have dry cornflakes as the milk fairies drink it all during the night

[doganjo]

 

[harry]

Yes i use traps and poison along with the feed table but i would say that you can never fully kill all the rats as some die others move in so its a matter of controlling numbers but rats wont stay if the feed is limited, harry

[shetlandpaul]

were lucky no rats just lots and lots of mice.

[doganjo]

In a year here, I've only seen one rat and it was well dead.  Unfortunately my chief ratkiller has decided to move three fields away beside horses as he enjoys their company more than mine and the dogs, (and his sister's !!) and is dining royally on baby bunnies!  I hope his sister is up to the job in case there are some lurking along the burn.

[Carolinajim]

Here my dad shoots the crows...however his neighbor and mine feeds the crows.

My dad shoots the crows because they steal pecans and young sprouting corn.

My neighbor feeds the crows since the chase away the raptors (owls and hawks) that kill his chickens.

It is a funny (unless you are the crow being shot at) situation that keeps both of elderly gentlemen, and friends by the way, entertained.

Fortunately there are about 50 acres of forest in between to give the crows time to contemplate where to eat on any given day.

[doganjo]

 

Reminds me of two past neighbours of mine who did that - one shot 'em, the other fed 'em.  The shooter was into the great outdoors and natural things, the feeder was a toonser.  But only 100 yards between them so it was fun watching the animated discussions from my window - I was in the middle!