Rats

[Hfd Cattle]

I have a creep feeder in the shed for weaned calves . It's kept reasonably full all the time . Last night while up with the dog he caught a rat in the manger part of the feeder and one got away . Next he was jumping up and going mad by the hopper . I thought there might be one in the hopper but couldn't see how . I lifted the lid up and there was about 20 in there . The lid is sealed so how on earth did they get in there .
Would they burrow up through the feed ?
It wasn't a pleasant experience as they were jumping out and 2 ran up my arm !!
Does anyone else have this problem .
I cautiously opened the lid this morning and there was no sign of them having been there .

 

[Bogweevil]

I have a creep feeder in the shed for weaned calves . It's kept reasonably full all the time . Last night while up with the dog he caught a rat in the manger part of the feeder and one got away . Next he was jumping up and going mad by the hopper . I thought there might be one in the hopper but couldn't see how . I lifted the lid up and there was about 20 in there . The lid is sealed so how on earth did they get in there .
Would they burrow up through the feed ?
It wasn't a pleasant experience as they were jumping out and 2 ran up my arm !!
Does anyone else have this problem .
I cautiously opened the lid this morning and there was no sign of them having been there .

They can certainly burrow up through feed!

 

[Hfd Cattle]

They can certainly burrow up through feed!

So .... should I be putting some mesh in the bottom . How else do you stop them . We have plenty of poison down and the dog and cat catch them .

 

[serf]

I have a creep feeder in the shed for weaned calves . It's kept reasonably full all the time . Last night while up with the dog he caught a rat in the manger part of the feeder and one got away . Next he was jumping up and going mad by the hopper . I thought there might be one in the hopper but couldn't see how . I lifted the lid up and there was about 20 in there . The lid is sealed so how on earth did they get in there .
Would they burrow up through the feed ?
It wasn't a pleasant experience as they were jumping out and 2 ran up my arm !!
Does anyone else have this problem .
I cautiously opened the lid this morning and there was no sign of them having been there .

I'd put 10 or so live capture traps down .

 

[Hfd Cattle]

I'd put 10 or so live capture traps down .

Got some lads coming in with some terriers . They been doing the neighbouring farm ...caught 67 last night !

 

[serf]

Got some lads coming in with some terriers . They been doing the neighbouring farm ...caught 67 last night !

That should make a start on them but suppose lots will disperse and need to keep the traps going to keep numbers down , springer traps are good if you can put them somewhere safe !

 

[Jhabc]

Guaranteed that there will shortly be an early morning photo of you delivering them at a thousand quid a piece to Halloween parties or to the I'm A Celebrity set

 

[Cornish bob]

We have one creep feeder up on the moors not far from some scrubby trees,and it's not rare to open the hopper lid and get a squirrel jump out at you .it was quite a shock for the first time or two but this has now been going on for 3years , and we still don't know how it's getting in !

 

[yellow belly]

No 4 fen trap set in a tunnel as game keepers do or a box set 365 days a year
Cheaper than poison

to day had 2 mice in one catch severel a week this time of year

 

[goodevans]

Got some lads coming in with some terriers . They been doing the neighbouring farm ...caught 67 last night !

Sounds like a commercial shoot and the rats are still in the release pen

 

[Hfd Cattle]

18 caught last night .....they having another go tonight .

 

[Hilly]

I had invasion once , live traps poison and dogs got rid and bee ray free since , rank things rats , keep at it you have to be more persistent than them.

 

[Lofty1984]

I’ve seen allot more flat ones on the roads and plenty running across this year

 

[Yale]

Could you cut out a hole near the top of the hopper attach a ramp or grips.Then fabricate a short pipe and a see-saw ‘plank’ which would drop any rats into a barrel they couldn’t climb out of?

May work well if done right perhaps welded as a module to the side of the hopper.

 

[Yale]

 

[Dry Rot]

Is there any way you could 'hand feed' for a few days? I mean put feed in a trough first thing, just enough to last them so the calves clean up before dark? There's nothing like taking his groceries away to upset Mr Ronald.

Also, maybe move the feeder before you put down traps. Ideally, you want to put traps down before the rats arrive so you kill the scouts and they don't have a chance to lay 'safe trails' (as they do).

Poultry were all fed by hand first thing here, so no rats and the feeders have gone out again. I will revert to hand feeding if they return. Of course, for this to be effective, all other sources of feed must be removed or secure.

 

[quattro]

Anyone ever seen a rat flitting as it’s called round here?

 

[Hfd Cattle]

Is there any way you could 'hand feed' for a few days? I mean put feed in a trough first thing, just enough to last them so the calves clean up before dark? There's nothing like taking his groceries away to upset Mr Ronald.

Also, maybe move the feeder before you put down traps. Ideally, you want to put traps down before the rats arrive so you kill the scouts and they don't have a chance to lay 'safe trails' (as they do).

Poultry were all fed by hand first thing here, so no rats and the feeders have gone out again. I will revert to hand feeding if they return. Of course, for this to be effective, all other sources of feed must be removed or secure.

Will revert back to hand feeding but the terrier boys want the feeder left in situ for a few days cos the terrier boys say the rats will be accustomed to it .

 

[Hfd Cattle]

Have ordered a few of these traps .......just got to acquire a few wheelie bins ....ahem ........!!

 

[Yale]

Have ordered a few of these traps .......just got to acquire a few wheelie bins ....ahem ........!!

Which morning is bin morning?