SERIOUS rat problem

[FunClucks]

My treadle feeder has like a 3 lb counterweight? It requires 2-3 pullets or a full size 3-4 lb bird to open it, and when it's shut, there's a lot of resistance to opening it by pushing on the door. It's sized for standard full size hens.

A number of members of this forum have used and independently reviewed @Al Gerhart 's feeders, and most reviews have been favorable. They're not for everyone, or for every size bird, but I've been pleased with mine.

 

[ChookieG]

My treadle feeder has like a 3 lb counterweight? It requires 2-3 pullets or a full size 3-4 lb bird to open it, and when it's shut, there's a lot of resistance to opening it by pushing on the door. It's sized for standard full size hens.

Mine only requires one young pullet to activate. From experience it's best to train them from as young an age as possible.

A number of members of this forum have used and independently reviewed @Al Gerhart 's feeders, and most reviews have been favorable.

Good for you and those people but it doesn't justify bigotry or dissent.

 

[Wot The Flock]

Are you implying that the whole of Australia is like that depicted in Crocodile Dundee?

Probably not. But as you should know, all the wildlife here is trying to kill you (and your chickens)

Perhaps the koalas are safe, but they are known as 'drop bears'. They at least look shifty.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Are you implying that the whole of Australia is like that depicted in Crocodile Dundee? You obviously haven't been to Aust then.


Dozen? Isn't that just exaggerating it quite a bit? A 500g (approx a pound) weight is enough to trigger the feeder. Which means a couple of large rats will be enough.


Don't get what you're trying to say here...it seems contradictory.



Granted there are many products made in China where quality leaves much to be desired...but I fail to see why "China" has to be a continuing example for your justifications. In a world rife with hate and dissent I think we shouldn't be delving into greater insinuating and condescending undertones.

Moreover, there are many top famous brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Nike and the likes that are manufactured in China. And I'm sure your underpants will be too....and I'm sure that's just one of many items in your household that's made in China too....China-made products are just ubiquitous. Let's not insult the entire nation based on one unfortunate product... the country has many natural beauties and wonders, and friendly people just trying to make a living like most in the rest of the world.


Again ....you think.... but ignorance is bliss I guess...


Are you even supposed to be advertising your products on BYC?

Not making any assumptions, just mentioning that as you appear to be from New South Wales it is likely a Grandpa Xi feeder. We have one or two there that made the trip in suitcases.

500 grams? I didn't say how many rats are needed at that size to operate the feeder, three or four will do it. But the CUSTOMER stated that the feeder was packed with dozens of dead rats. One gets in, the others follow, soon none can get out and they smother. He was pretty hot the first time he emailed. Second day he apologized, Third day he checked back and said it was the best rat trap he had ever seen. A few weeks later he was emailing again and reporting no more rats. So, no, not exaggerating. Sorry for your confusion.

China? I'd suggest talking to them about peace and understanding or lecturing the Uighur population about this stuff. Sorry you were triggered by my reply, just pointing out some fallacies, no offense meant. As far as the Grandpa Xi feeders, they claim they are made in New Zealand or marketed as a NZ product. They did do an interview about 20 years ago and admitted they were made in China and their U.S. import records state that they are made in China. And a lot of us understand that China is where Japan was in the 20's and 30's, building up manufacturing to convert to a war machine so where a product comes from is very relevant. And yeah, nice people, bad government.

As a long time member of BYC I come here to answer questions about treadle feeders and watch for customers that might need help but were too shy to reach out directly. Naturally when I see someone saying that treadle feeders don't work I am going to ask questions. Sorry I triggered you, no offense meant at all

And BTW, what was the brand of the feeder you said you bought that didn't work?

 

[Al Gerhart]

www.ratproofchickenfeeder.net

I have one. It totally works. But like previous posters have said, you have to remove all the food for a while before the rats leave, block the holes, etc. You'll need to protect your chickens from attack until the rats leave for lack of food, or until they are poisoned, etc.

Also, 1/2" hardware cloth is your friend. Any gap larger than 1/2" and you may have problems. My open air coop/run is completely surrounded by hardware cloth with a 3 ft apron. I've seen multiple signs of digging predators, and scat all over my yard. My coop/run is located about 15 feet from a stream, near several wooded fields, and I have a full complement of predators (cats, dogs, mice, rats, racoons, fox, coyote, hawk, snakes, etc.). 8 months and counting, and no signs of mice/rats or any other predator in the run. 1/2" hardware cloth and 3 foot apron for the win. Next time, I may make my apron 4 ft. I've had a few predators dig at the very edge of it, but they didn't make it far.

Awesome, you are using two of the three methods that Howard E. talked about. Being in a rural area this is very wise as even if a population was starved out a new population would be quick to try to move in or at least scout around. I think those in a more urban/suburban area might get away with just a good treadle feeder. Great point about protecting your hens during the starve out process. Rats are vicious animals.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Mine only requires one young pullet to activate. From experience it's best to train them from as young an age as possible.


Good for you and those people but it doesn't justify bigotry or dissent.

That is a good point, the sooner you can get a pullet using a feeder the better. The only downside is starting off with a light action on a treadle feeder no matter who made it is that it is also much less rat proof plus you need a wider step for the little pullets to reach the feed which again makes it less rat proof. Which is why we recommend starting with adult birds and starting out as stiff as possible with the original narrow and distant perch/step, Once the rats are gone then the tension can be less and a wider step can be added. We just assume that if someone spends there hard earned money on a treadle feeder they likely have a rat infestation.

Pointing out that a product is made in China isn't bigotry, it is a reflection of the company selling the feeders, not supporting workers and industry in their own country to make more profit. The point is that even when you need cheaper labor and overhead there are other poor countries that don't bully other countries or oppress their own citizens to choose from. So country of origin is important enough that importers to the U.S. HAVE to have the origin listed on the box or face huge fines. And people have the right to know the ethical practices of the manufactures if they are interested in supporting U.S. made or supporting U.S. allies exports.

Dissent, well discussion always contains a smidgen of dissent. But having a different opinion on something is pretty common and I hope in the U.S. we always have that freedom to disagree or even dissent.

Again, no offense intended in any way. Just trying to find out what brand of feeder that AU person bought. Certain it wasn't one of ours.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Probably not. But as you should know, all the wildlife here is trying to kill you (and your chickens)

Perhaps the koalas are safe, but they are known as 'drop bears'. They at least look shifty.

Love the Aussie humor. Both the U.S. and AU was a human dumping ground for Britain and made both of our countries a bit a bit cantankerous. And two wars the U.S and AU have had to rescue the Brits, right mate?

 

[Wot The Flock]

Love the Aussie humor.

Unfortunately half serious!
There is a lot of nasty/bitey stuff down under, with many (half?) of the top ten venomous snakes on the list being here, as well as nasty spiders and sea life. Honestly, it is a wonder that even humans can survive sometimes (frequently they do not). I have had more than a few near-misses myself (snakes, sea life including sharks, and more recently, a bunch of red-backed spiders were dispatched after shock discovery).

Welcome to Australia. The land where every critter is going to have a go at killing you!

I sit here typing, with numerous ant bites and mosquito bites on my body. No kidding. Always on snake/eagle/fox alert (not for me as much as my babies).

 

[Al Gerhart]

No wonder you guys are so tough.

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

I highly recommend buying MANY snap traps, baiting with peanut butter, and setting them all out the same night (keep all your animals well away). This will hopefully catch multiple rats before they figure out the traps.

I also highly recommend cats and rat terriers. I have also heard that keeping mama and babies in a dog crate that has been wrapped in hardware cloth to sleep helps too. Or bring them in at night.