Rat proof feeder options.

[coffeeaddict]

The other night I found two large, glossy coated rats enjoying our expensive organic chicken feed. I’d estimate rats have been eating almost half of our feed. After researching treadle feeders, it seems like the Ratproof feeder would be a great option. Unfortunately, I have two hens (brabanter and cream legbar) that are under 1 lb. and am concerned they can’t open a treadle feeder. They are also the lowest of the pecking order so unlikely they can eat while the larger hens have the feeder open. Other than removing the food every night, any ideas on how to deter these rats.

 

[coffeeaddict]

I use a 30 gal metal trash can, cut 4 holes in it and stick the 3 in pvc street elbow in it. This helped tremendously with waste and mice/rats here. I made quite a few for the chicken barns. Here's a picture, there's more detailed versions online

I love this idea especially with the metal cans. Sadly, the PVC feeder doesn’t deter the rats here. They crawl right in through the PVC. We currently have these setup.

 

[tlcmurphy]

One of my girls was terrified by the treadle feeder, so I do bring my feed in at dusk, pain in the butt but it helps.

Beautiful bird!

 

[Debbie292d]

Excellent advice with videos.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/rat-control-the-video-series.1337456/

We have a couple of barn cats that keep the other farmer's rats away from our place though. I also had one farmer try the baking soda/cornmeal wive's tale and she said it worked.

 

[homesteading101]

View attachment 3756271
The other night I found two large, glossy coated rats enjoying our expensive organic chicken feed. I’d estimate rats have been eating almost half of our feed. After researching treadle feeders, it seems like the Ratproof feeder would be a great option. Unfortunately, I have two hens (brabanter and cream legbar) that are under 1 lb. and am concerned they can’t open a treadle feeder. They are also the lowest of the pecking order so unlikely they can eat while the larger hens have the feeder open. Other than removing the food every night, any ideas on how to deter these rats.

I use a 30 gal metal trash can, cut 4 holes in it and stick the 3 in pvc street elbow in it. This helped tremendously with waste and mice/rats here. I made quite a few for the chicken barns. Here's a picture, there's more detailed versions online

 

[0die]

I recently changed to a hanging bucket with a toggle...seems to signifficantly reduce the spilled waste and thus reduce the attraction to rats.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Well, it was a blessing in disguise so nothing was done. Mom turns 95 in April and is showing signs of losing some capabilities. She had "bumped" a pick up truck a few months earlier that she didn't tell any of us kids about, found out from a local cop later on. Admits she can't see well. So having her car ruined saved one of us from having to intervene. We were all amazed that none of her doctors hadn't already yanked her license.

We were all happy when the insurance company totaled her car.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

My husband suggests an air rifle (with someone who knows how to kill the target not wound it)

It's helpful but not a total solution of course. When we first bought our property and discovered a rat issue, out boys would get dressed up for "recon," and go out with their airguns. They could take them out when they came to a bird feeder (wild bird, not chicken.) But you need to get the nests with all of the family also... Just one bite, did the trick here. I had to have total elimination before taking all of the steps to sanitize and exclude (the steps from Howard E.) It's works.

 

[coffeeaddict]

Do you know how/where they're getting in?

They are getting in through the roof which is chicken wire. They climb the trees! The chicken run is mostly hardwire cloth but 1/3 is still chicken wire. Unfortunately, we can’t replace it all right now. The large chicken coop/run was inherited from the previous property owner so we’ve tried to reinforce as much as possible and make it work.

 

[coffeeaddict]

I should add that I’ve also tried cayenne and although it seemed to work in the past, these rats are more persistent or maybe I need to add a larger dose to the feed. That also gets pricey adding cayenne to every 50lb bag of feed.