I'm sure I saw a rat

bloody things are coming in cos theyre cold and hungry. found out one had dug under the chicken run tonight, in less than 3hrs since it got dark!

i move the run every day and shut the chooks up in the coop at night, so theyre safe. but i took the food out of the run for the night. we've got rat bait boxes along the back ditch, but these buggers are coming from the side ditch, from the church.

 

Ah right - that makes sense. Thanks.

 

hubby put a bait box by the side ditch, so hopefully they'll munch on the contents and keep away from the chooks. havent seen any tracks so far today/tonight :thmb:

 

You need to vary the type of poison as they can build up resistance. Go to a farm supplies shop for the best choice

 

hubby gets it from work (farm) and this lot is a different type, by the looks of it. no rat tracks this morning, and they didnt dig near the chooks

 

lollipop is the compost still ok to use after the rats have been in there then?

 

Hi Cyril,

I have used it since without any noticeable problems, so I would say yes.

 

i'll do the same then:thumb:

 

Where you know rats have been just be careful about touching it. They carry Weill's ?? disease in their urine so dont touch the compost with your hands and wash carefully afterwards.

 

good advice

 

I made my compost heap from 4 old pallets screwed together as a temporary heap, that kinda became permanent. I now have rats in it. I don't put anything cooked in, but I guess the shredded paper and card makes for a warm bed at this time of year.

I'll take it apart and rebuild it using chicken wire over the next few days. I'll make sure it's rat proof.