Improvised Trap to Help Protect Chickens

C

coote

Joined
Apr 3, 2006
Messages
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My wife and I are staying with relatives while our house is being built. We're living in a rural area.

They keep chickens here, and one or two have been limping. On closer examination it appears that rats may have been biting their feet at night while they are sitting on their perch.

So I whittled a figure four deadfall trigger, and used it to prop up a big cement building block. I set it for the first time last night, and this morning I had me a rat.

Rat190410.jpg


I know that the figure four trigger isn't the only effective deadfall trigger. But I have made quite a number of them now, and I am comfortable with making them and using them.

My other favorite is the trigger used for the Arapuca bird trap.

The bait I used for the rat was peanut butter. I split the end of the bait stick and forced the peanut butter into the split. I did this in the belief that the rat would be likely to push hard against the trigger in an effort to get the peanut butter out of the crack.

Best wishes.... Coote.
 
In case anybody was wondering, here is the knife I used to whittle the trigger. It is a Swedish-made Eka 'Compact'. This is a nice, politically correct, little tool. The sort of knife you can pull from your pocket to peel an apple with in public without scrambling the Armed Offenders Squad.

EkaCompact180410.jpg
 
Personally, If I was raising Poultry and had a Rat Problem; I'd make sure the perimeter of the building was cleared at least 1 foot around and place some poison stations (to prevent pets and children from getting into the poison) around the building and maybe get the .177 pellet rifle out for night time varmint shooting? Basically if you got a rodent problem; nothing but poison is going to get rid of them; and they could stray over to the machine sheds; garages; and residences. Hope this helps. From Sedalia, MO. Turtleman
 
Welcome to the forum Turtleman. I think you are right with your suggestions regarding rat control. However the folks where I'm staying have just half a dozen hens and the hen-house is fairly basic. The perimeter is garden and fallen leaves and there are all sorts of places for rats to hide. Rat paradise really. Plus there is a heap of excess chicken feed left around at night.... so there is plenty of room for improvement.

A concrete foundation for the hen-house, a decent cleared perimeter and proper bait stations would be the orderly and sure way to go.
 
coote said:
I know that the figure four trigger isn't the only effective deadfall trigger. But I have made quite a number of them now, and I am comfortable with making them and using them.
Click to expand...

You got the rat buddy, what could a more efficient trap do better than that?

Thanks for posting!
 
Did the same thing on some chipmunks last week that were burrowing near my house foundation...works like a charm ;)
 
Peanut butter is about the best bait I've ever seen.

There's also the "peanut butter balanced on a stick over water" trap that works well for shrews and mice. Would probably be too big if you designed it for rats.
 
I think someone here posted up an old trap made with a barrel and parchment. Basically it was to cover the mouth of the barrel with parchment that would support the rats weight and build a ramp up to it. Bait the top of the barrel with food and give it a few nights for the rats to get comfortable with it. Then cut a slit in the middle of the parchment and when the rats step on it they fall into the water below to drown.

I never tried it but thought it was pretty creative. Although your method seems to pre pretty effective. Might just stick with what works.

SDS
 
Little critter sure got one hell of a surprise:D
Can't really see the trap, but i'm pretty sure you did it right.
 
Peanut butter is the best bait for mice rats and squirrels ( though I dont kill squirrels I think they are more fun to watch then birds) We have baby chicks on the way to start a coop. Have to keep an eye out for rats I guess.
 
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