TOTALLY GEEKED!

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

City Gal Needs Advice. Do Chickens Attract Rats??

Oughttabeworking · Regular

The feed will, depending on how it is stored. Not sure about the eggs. My dad always kept the chicken feed in an unplugged chest freezer in the barn (there were a lot of chickens, the freezer was full of feed that was dumped in and mixed, not in bags). It wasn't uncommon for rats to get into it. As far as leading to a larger scale problem, I can't say. Good luck with it :)

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Yeah. They will.

And notice if there is any new developments going on close by. Land being cleared.

A huge rat has to come from the woods. Large places like that.

Momala · Great cook-happy wife-superb fisherman

If it was HUGE, is Wayne sure it was a rat, and not a possum?

The feed could attract rodents, and maybe very very young chicks. As Lily suggested, look for someplace that just got cleared, within a two block radius, and that could be the source of this critter.

And no, there are NO stupid questions - only stupid answers!

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

Oughtta, I don't know how, or where they store the feed.

Lily, the building in our neighborhood finished a few years ago. There is some building going on, about a mile away. New businesses going in.

I guess that's not far, for a rat to travel.

I'm hoping that Mr. BIG Rat, was was just a fluke.

I'm going to keep my eyes open for any signs of his friends, before I do anything about it.

(The neighbor behind me, is breaking the law. Their yard isn't large enough to have chickens legally, inside Fort Worth city limits. I won't raise a stink, unless I notice the rats becoming a problem.)

Thanks for the info! smile

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

Momala wrote:
If it was HUGE, is Wayne sure it was a rat, and not a possum?

The feed could attract rodents, and maybe very very young chicks. As Lily suggested, look for someplace that just got cleared, within a two block radius, and that could be the source of this critter.

And no, there are NO stupid questions - only stupid answers!

Oh, it was a rat, Momala! LOL! I'm a city kid, but I know a rat from a possum! biggrin

Nothing within two blocks has been cleared. Our neighborhood is built out. A mile away, yes, some new building.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Rats, not mice, can travel miles. They will scatter and find the best place to live. A chicken house or coop is actually perfect.

Southern_Belle · Nothing's Impossible

If you see more call the city coding office and file a complaint.

FNW · Guru

I would release a large black snake or set out some traps.

Southern_Belle · Nothing's Impossible

I'd be freaking out!

cadiver · Senior Member

Chicks do attract rats, but not all of us are rats.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

LOL!

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

We put out poison. Takes care of the squirrel population too.

We watched where the rats where going and coming and put out poison.

Of course we don't have cats.

We had a rat the size of a small Chihuahua get in our house. It had buddies out side.

Poison took care of the problem within a couple weeks.

Honeys_Mom · Mod & Permanent Board Sweetheart

FNW wrote:
I would release a large black snake or set out some traps.

Large black snake release - talk about code violation! biggrin

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

Thanks for the information. And the ideas, good Geeks!

Black snake? Heck no! I hate snakes. They are worse than rats! biggrin

Poison? Heck no! Jupiter and the cats play in our back yard.

Traps? No. I'd probably catch one of the cats, by mistake.

On the bright side, no rat sighting yesterday. So maybe Mr. BIG Rat was a fluke. (Fingers crossed.)

I'll keep my eyes open. I know the law is on my side.

But, I admire my neighbor for raising his own chickens. I don't want to make any trouble for them, unless we end up with a rodent problem.

If that happens, I'll print off the ordinance and talk to them. I'd give them a reasonable amount of time to rehome their chickens. Before I'd get the city involved.

For now, I'm just going to keep an eye on the situation. And see if I start spotting rats on a regular basis.

It seems like the reasonable thing to do, for now. smile

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

Southern_Belle wrote:
I'd be freaking out!

I'd be freaking out worse than you!

flan

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

flan327 wrote:
Southern_Belle wrote:
I'd be freaking out!
I'd be freaking out worse than you!
flan

Snakes freak me out.

Rats, not nearly as much. As long as they don't get inside my house, that is! wink

Then, I would freak, a little. biggrin

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

Fort Worth Mom wrote:
flan327 wrote:
Southern_Belle wrote:
I'd be freaking out!
I'd be freaking out worse than you!
flan
Snakes freak me out.
Rats, not nearly as much. As long as they don't get inside my house, that is!
Then, I would freak, a little.

Last year I found a mouse in the laundry room. furious

flan

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

I'll take snakes over rats. Mice don't scare me, they are just dirty.

just Czech · Give Me Grand's!

Sorry to tell you this, but if you see one rat, he has 10 friends near by.

The chicken feed is what attracts rats and rodents, not the chickens themselves. Banti chickens will keep rats and rodents away, but they are noisy.

Good luck and keep a sharp eye.

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

just Czech wrote:
Sorry to tell you this, but if you see one rat, he has 10 friends near by.

The chicken feed is what attracts rats and rodents, not the chickens themselves. Banti chickens will keep rats and rodents away, but they are noisy.

Good luck and keep a sharp eye.

I was kind of thinking that, Czech.

But, wouldn't the fact that our cats and Jupiter play in the backyard, (not at the same time, but they take turns in the yard, all day long, in good weather)keep the rat/rats out of my yard? confuse

I know my animals would run him for his life, if he ever came off the fence, and was on the ground.

just Czech · Give Me Grand's!

Fort Worth Mom wrote:
just Czech wrote:
Sorry to tell you this, but if you see one rat, he has 10 friends near by.

The chicken feed is what attracts rats and rodents, not the chickens themselves. Banti chickens will keep rats and rodents away, but they are noisy.

Good luck and keep a sharp eye.
I was kind of thinking that, Czech.
But, wouldn't the fact that our cats and Jupiter play in the backyard, (not at the same time, but they take turns in the yard, all day long, in good weather)keep the rat/rats out of my yard?
I know my animals would run him for his life, if he ever came off the fence, and was on the ground.

Sorry, hon, but your pets make no difference to a rat. The rats will use your yard while your pets are in the house, freely. Especially at night. The rats will also try to dig holes under your foundation, so please check that out.

Gosh, you may be in for a long run with rats. I truly am sorry.

A house was torn down two houses down from us and we had a terrible rat problem because they moved into the soft dirt used to fill in the old basements. The city fought the rats for almost a year.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Snakes eat rats.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

I have lost my appetite...

flan

just Czech · Give Me Grand's!

flan327 wrote:
I have lost my appetite...

flan

Whimp

just Czech · Give Me Grand's!

Lawyerlady wrote:
Snakes eat rats.

Bull snakes hunt rats. My dad kept bull snakes on the farm all the time.

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

just Czech wrote:
Fort Worth Mom wrote:
just Czech wrote:
Sorry to tell you this, but if you see one rat, he has 10 friends near by.

The chicken feed is what attracts rats and rodents, not the chickens themselves. Banti chickens will keep rats and rodents away, but they are noisy.

Good luck and keep a sharp eye.
I was kind of thinking that, Czech.
But, wouldn't the fact that our cats and Jupiter play in the backyard, (not at the same time, but they take turns in the yard, all day long, in good weather)keep the rat/rats out of my yard?
I know my animals would run him for his life, if he ever came off the fence, and was on the ground.
Sorry, hon, but your pets make no difference to a rat. The rats will use your yard while your pets are in the house, freely. Especially at night. The rats will also try to dig holes under your foundation, so please check that out.
Gosh, you may be in for a long run with rats. I truly am sorry.
A house was torn down two houses down from us and we had a terrible rat problem because they moved into the soft dirt used to fill in the old basements. The city fought the rats for almost a year.

Well Czech, he can try to dig under our house! Bless his heart if he can do it. wink

No basements in North Texas. We sit on bedrock. It's a challenge to dig a hole to plant a tree!

If he can chew through a concrete slab foundation, and get in my house, I'd be very impressed! biggrin

I will keep my eyes open, just in case! smile

just Czech · Give Me Grand's!

Fort Worth Mom wrote:
just Czech wrote:
Fort Worth Mom wrote:
just Czech wrote:
Sorry to tell you this, but if you see one rat, he has 10 friends near by.

The chicken feed is what attracts rats and rodents, not the chickens themselves. Banti chickens will keep rats and rodents away, but they are noisy.

Good luck and keep a sharp eye.
I was kind of thinking that, Czech.
But, wouldn't the fact that our cats and Jupiter play in the backyard, (not at the same time, but they take turns in the yard, all day long, in good weather)keep the rat/rats out of my yard?
I know my animals would run him for his life, if he ever came off the fence, and was on the ground.
Sorry, hon, but your pets make no difference to a rat. The rats will use your yard while your pets are in the house, freely. Especially at night. The rats will also try to dig holes under your foundation, so please check that out.
Gosh, you may be in for a long run with rats. I truly am sorry.
A house was torn down two houses down from us and we had a terrible rat problem because they moved into the soft dirt used to fill in the old basements. The city fought the rats for almost a year.
Well Czech, he can try to dig under our house! Bless his heart if he can do it.
No basements in North Texas. We sit on bedrock. It's a challenge to dig a hole to plant a tree!
If he can chew through a concrete slab foundation, and get in my house, I'd be very impressed!
I will keep my eyes open, just in case!

They will dig a hole next to the foundation, go under the foundation and set up a new home. Please, check around your foundations. Check anywhere dirt has been moved in the last few years. They are sly little devils.

just Czech · Give Me Grand's!

They will follow the pipe works.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

just Czech wrote:
flan327 wrote:
I have lost my appetite...

flan
Whimp

City girl! LOL

flan

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

just Czech wrote:
They will follow the pipe works.

Well hell! I'm going to go take a look at my foundation. I'll let you know if I spot a signs of digging! cry

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

Fort Worth Mom wrote:
just Czech wrote:
They will follow the pipe works.
Well hell! I'm going to go take a look at my foundation. I'll let you know if I spot a signs of digging!

No signs of digging. Thank goodness! I'm going to start inspecting the foundation every week. Just to be safe. smile

just Czech · Give Me Grand's!

Fort Worth Mom wrote:
Fort Worth Mom wrote:
just Czech wrote:
They will follow the pipe works.
Well hell! I'm going to go take a look at my foundation. I'll let you know if I spot a signs of digging!
No signs of digging. Thank goodness! I'm going to start inspecting the foundation every week. Just to be safe.

That is a good idea and I'm glad you didn't find any sign of the little buggers. smile

Might be a good idea to inform your neighbors to watch for the same problems.

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

just Czech wrote:
Fort Worth Mom wrote:
Fort Worth Mom wrote:
just Czech wrote:
They will follow the pipe works.
Well hell! I'm going to go take a look at my foundation. I'll let you know if I spot a signs of digging!
No signs of digging. Thank goodness! I'm going to start inspecting the foundation every week. Just to be safe.
That is a good idea and I'm glad you didn't find any sign of the little buggers.
Might be a good idea to inform your neighbors to watch for the same problems.

Oh my goodness. That just jogged my memory.

My next door neighbors had to have an exterminator last fall, to get rid of roof rats in their attic. (The cost? Would you believe, almost $13,000!?!!!!)

I nearly pooped, when I heard that! cry

I think I'd better have a look in my attic, just in case.

Fingers crossed, that I don't find any evidence of the vermin.

Lexxy · My dog name is Sasha, too!

Roof rats?? Are they a specific type of rat or just regular rats that took over the attic?

Tangerine · Guru

FWM, do you have any dense shrubbery? My parents had to remove their honeysuckle when they discovered rats nesting in it.
They also had a problem with a skunk living under their shed. And raccoons.
Their house is in the middle of Plano, too. Wildlife goes where it wants.

just Czech · Give Me Grand's!

Oh my... roof rats. Not a good sign.

Gosh, that is expensive!

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

Lexxy wrote:
Roof rats?? Are they a specific type of rat or just regular rats that took over the attic?

Roof rats are becoming the most common rat, in Texas. (They will soon outnumber Norway rats.) They are a species, of rat, Lexxy. cry

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

Tangerine wrote:
FWM, do you have any dense shrubbery? My parents had to remove their honeysuckle when they discovered rats nesting in it.
They also had a problem with a skunk living under their shed. And raccoons.
Their house is in the middle of Plano, too. Wildlife goes where it wants.

We are careful with the shrubs, Tang. I trim them often. And keep the crape myrtle pruned so the branches don't touch the house.

(And here, I was worried about carpenter ants. LOL! Dang!)

Lexxy · My dog name is Sasha, too!

Fort Worth Mom wrote:
Lexxy wrote:
Roof rats?? Are they a specific type of rat or just regular rats that took over the attic?
Roof rats are becoming the most common rat, in Texas. (They will soon outnumber Norway rats.) They are a species, of rat, Lexxy.

I was going to joke that we called them squirrels around here! We do have some issues with squirrels nesting in attics. I had a nest of them in my old house.

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

just Czech wrote:
Oh my... roof rats. Not a good sign.

Gosh, that is expensive!

I was in such a hurry, to get a new flash light at Home Depot, I didn't take the time to explain that very well, Czech. (I need a good flash light to go rat hunting in the attic!) wink

That $13,000, included repairing the damage that the rats did.

All of the insulation in their attic had to be removed, and replaced with new. (The stuff that was up there, was so polluted with rat droppings and urine, it had to go.)

All the holes had to be sealed. There are still cages over the turbines on their roof, to prevent any more rats getting in.

They might have had some chewed wiring that had to be replaced, also. I can't remember all the details. My jaw hit the floor, at 13K! cry

Plus, the company that did the work, gave the neighbors a lifetime guarantee on the work. If they get rats again, they won't have to pay anymore money.

Now, do you think my neighbors got a clue? And did anything to prevent this from happening again?

Nope. I see squirrels on their roof everyday. The don't prune their trees to get the branches off the house!

Unbelievable!

I hate to say it. But, they will probably get them again, somewhere down the line. cry

-- Edited by Fort Worth Mom on Friday 17th of April 2015 01:53:48 PM

just Czech · Give Me Grand's!

Fort Worth Mom wrote:
just Czech wrote:
Oh my... roof rats. Not a good sign.

Gosh, that is expensive!
I was in such a hurry, to get a new flash light at Home Depot, I didn't take the time to explain that very well, Czech. (I need a good flash light to go rat hunting in the attic!)
That $13,000, included repairing the damage that the rats did.
All of the insulation in their attic had to be removed, and replaced with new. (The stuff that was up there, was so polluted with rat droppings and urine, it had to go.)
All the holes had to be sealed. There are still cages over the turbines on their roof, to prevent any more rats getting in.
They might have had some chewed wiring that had to be replaced, also. I can't remember all the details. My jaw hit the floor, at 13K!
Plus, the company that did the work, gave the neighbors a lifetime guarantee on the work. If they get rats again, they won't have to pay anymore money.
Now, do you think my neighbors got a clue? And did anything to prevent this from happening again?
Nope. I see squirrels on their roof everyday. The don't prune their trees to get the branches off the house!
Unbelievable!
I hate to say it. But, they will probably get them again, somewhere down the line.

-- Edited by Fort Worth Mom on Friday 17th of April 2015 01:53:48 PM

Your neighbors need their heads examined.

Do you have that flashlight yet?

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

just Czech wrote:
Fort Worth Mom wrote:
just Czech wrote:
Oh my... roof rats. Not a good sign.

Gosh, that is expensive!
I was in such a hurry, to get a new flash light at Home Depot, I didn't take the time to explain that very well, Czech. (I need a good flash light to go rat hunting in the attic!)
That $13,000, included repairing the damage that the rats did.
All of the insulation in their attic had to be removed, and replaced with new. (The stuff that was up there, was so polluted with rat droppings and urine, it had to go.)
All the holes had to be sealed. There are still cages over the turbines on their roof, to prevent any more rats getting in.
They might have had some chewed wiring that had to be replaced, also. I can't remember all the details. My jaw hit the floor, at 13K!
Plus, the company that did the work, gave the neighbors a lifetime guarantee on the work. If they get rats again, they won't have to pay anymore money.
Now, do you think my neighbors got a clue? And did anything to prevent this from happening again?
Nope. I see squirrels on their roof everyday. The don't prune their trees to get the branches off the house!
Unbelievable!
I hate to say it. But, they will probably get them again, somewhere down the line.

-- Edited by Fort Worth Mom on Friday 17th of April 2015 01:53:48 PM
Your neighbors need their heads examined.
Do you have that flashlight yet?

That I do, my pretty! As soon as I finish my lunch, I'm off to the attic, to check for any signs of rats.

I'll let you know what I find. Or, don't find.

Please God! I don't want to find any dropping or urine stains or tunnels in my insulation! Czech would hear the screams, all the way in Nebraska! cry

just Czech · Give Me Grand's!

Wait.... I'm going to step outside and listen..

;)

Lexxy · My dog name is Sasha, too!

Fort Worth Mom wrote:
just Czech wrote:
Fort Worth Mom wrote:
just Czech wrote:
Oh my... roof rats. Not a good sign.

Gosh, that is expensive!
I was in such a hurry, to get a new flash light at Home Depot, I didn't take the time to explain that very well, Czech. (I need a good flash light to go rat hunting in the attic!)
That $13,000, included repairing the damage that the rats did.
All of the insulation in their attic had to be removed, and replaced with new. (The stuff that was up there, was so polluted with rat droppings and urine, it had to go.)
All the holes had to be sealed. There are still cages over the turbines on their roof, to prevent any more rats getting in.
They might have had some chewed wiring that had to be replaced, also. I can't remember all the details. My jaw hit the floor, at 13K!
Plus, the company that did the work, gave the neighbors a lifetime guarantee on the work. If they get rats again, they won't have to pay anymore money.
Now, do you think my neighbors got a clue? And did anything to prevent this from happening again?
Nope. I see squirrels on their roof everyday. The don't prune their trees to get the branches off the house!
Unbelievable!
I hate to say it. But, they will probably get them again, somewhere down the line.

-- Edited by Fort Worth Mom on Friday 17th of April 2015 01:53:48 PM
Your neighbors need their heads examined.
Do you have that flashlight yet?
That I do, my pretty! As soon as I finish my lunch, I'm off to the attic, to check for any signs of rats.
I'll let you know what I find. Or, don't find.
Please God! I don't want to find any dropping or urine stains or tunnels in my insulation! Czech would hear the screams, all the way in Nebraska!

I'm sure you don't have them. You would hear the scurrying of their little feet over your head.

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

Oh, thank goodness! I didn't break Czech's ear drums. wink

No sign of vermin in my attic!

Happy dance! biggrin

But, now that I've made myself nervous over this whole rat situation. I'm going to get some traps, and have Wayne put them up there this weekend.

Better safe than sorry.

Giant. Sigh. Of. Relief.

Is it too early, for a drink? wink

just Czech · Give Me Grand's!

Fort Worth Mom wrote:
Oh, thank goodness! I didn't break Czech's ear drums.
No sign of vermin in my attic!
Happy dance!
But, now that I've made myself nervous over this whole rat situation. I'm going to get some traps, and have Wayne put them up there this weekend.
Better safe than sorry.
Giant. Sigh. Of. Relief.
Is it too early, for a drink?

No! Go for it.

I'm glad there is no trace of the little vermin up there. Poor Wayne, another job. wink

Lexxy · My dog name is Sasha, too!

Fort Worth Mom wrote:
Oh, thank goodness! I didn't break Czech's ear drums.
No sign of vermin in my attic!
Happy dance!
But, now that I've made myself nervous over this whole rat situation. I'm going to get some traps, and have Wayne put them up there this weekend.
Better safe than sorry.
Giant. Sigh. Of. Relief.
Is it too early, for a drink?

Go ahead & drink. It's Friday & I'm sure it 5:00 in Europe!

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

WHY do I keep opening this thread?

flan

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

Lexxy wrote:
Fort Worth Mom wrote:
Oh, thank goodness! I didn't break Czech's ear drums.
No sign of vermin in my attic!
Happy dance!
But, now that I've made myself nervous over this whole rat situation. I'm going to get some traps, and have Wayne put them up there this weekend.
Better safe than sorry.
Giant. Sigh. Of. Relief.
Is it too early, for a drink?

Go ahead & drink. It's Friday & I'm sure it 5:00 in Europe!

I could use one, Czech and Lexxy!

But, I'm going to behave. At least until I get back from another walk and some play time with the grand doggies.

After that, all bets are off. I'll start c0cktail hour a little early! wink