Yet, another rat

[Redhead Rae]

Since these are wood rats and not Norway rats, you can build a broody cage to shut your hen and chicks into at night out of similar gauge wire to your rat trap.

Make a 2'x2'x'2 wooden frame and staple 1/4" hardware cloth on all sides making a tight fitting door frame for the front. When you go to lock up at night, shut mama and chicks in the box.

 

[Jammerz]

Roof rats won't bother the chicken, they just chew up the feed bags. I need to invest in some metal containers.

 

[BirdieandFifi]

I keep my chick/chicken food in one of those dog food vaults. Actually I leave it outside right by the coop. No problems with pests or the whether and it’s been raining or should I say pouring non-stop for a month or so. This won’t solve your rat problem but at least save your food. The vaults holds 60lbs of feed and I believe they come in even larger (or smaller) sizes

 

[BirdieandFifi]

The vaults are by Gamma2 btw. Check Sam’s club if you’re a member. You can order it from their website as well. Got a smoking price on them. Like $30 bucks or something for the 60lbs one which is cheap. It will last you forever and even comes with a scoop.

 

[Jammerz]

My dog told me that I had caught another rat last night. I went out and opened the coop door to check- yep, the trap had something in it. I took it out shined my flashlight in it. It was a dang bird. I don't even know what kind. I put the trap on the fence, shined the light in front of it and lured the bird out. Flew off into the dark- didn't even eat my bait!!

 

[Jammerz]

Number 9

Another dang rat in the trap this morning.

 

[The Lazy L]

... I noticed they had chewed a hole in my bag of medicated starter too. ...

After a varmint ruined a full bag of feed I now store the bags of feed in metal garbage cans with the lids bungee cord shut

 

[hmarg06]

This might not be a viable option if you live in town, but I keep all my feed in an old freezer. I dump the bags out into it, it can hold 4- 50 pound bags, and just fill feeders from there. Rats can't get in anywhere. If you can find someone giving a broken one away, it's a great cheap (free) option if you have somewhere to put it!