haven't stopped crying yetRe: haven't stopped crying yetI hate the idea of poison but when you have so many rats & think that they'll carry
on breeding if unchecked, it may be the best option. If they get hungry/brave enough they will attack the hens too, I have a friend that lost several hens this way (not small ones either) Best of luck finding homes for your girls, I wish I could help but my coop is full. "He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men. We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals."
--Immanuel Kant
Re: haven't stopped crying yetVictoria - Phoenix Hen Rescue do a great job. I volunteer with Fresh Start for Hens. Would you be OK with me putting shout out to the members? Sadly, I have rather more hens than I would like at the moment but I'm quietly confident that between us we should be able to help.
We have a rat. I know that no-one ever has "a rat" but our next door neighbour is a cattle and sheep farm and she mucked out last week. The rat comes for our wild bird feeder. He/she is rather sweet but OH is making stressed noises again. Chin up - I can always take 3 if all else fails and I live in quite a nice area so you could come and visit. Especially if we take the one that is special to your little girl. Bea Bea; 19 hens (most of whom I intended to get); 6 bantams (which I never intended to have); old Benji dog and young Toby dog (who I definitely wanted). Three years into country living and loving it.
Re: haven't stopped crying yetHi Victoria I'm not sure where you live but if you would like help my friend n I run Phoenix hen rescue uk on fb.
You can pm us there or pm me on here xxxxxxx [center]HELPING THE LITTLE BROWN GIRLS OF THIS WORLD FIND FOREVER HOMES
Humble chicken maid to a happy little flock Frankii Whippers leading the way with Dorey,Prila(aka Mrs Brown),Ann-a-Lou Greta, Delphine my adorable silkie,my twin girls Lana and Boudica (aka The Jedward Twins ) ,Augustine Eizabeth(aka Pippy), Rheima, Marnie and Fleur aka little miss chatterbox[/center] Still loving and missing Skinnie Minnie and Queenie xx Marlene you taught me how to live and laugh again xx Isabella my darling top hen ,you stole my heart xx Porscha my sweet little girl ,you left so suddenly xx
Re: haven't stopped crying yet
Victoria I have sent you a message here xxxx [center]HELPING THE LITTLE BROWN GIRLS OF THIS WORLD FIND FOREVER HOMES
Humble chicken maid to a happy little flock Frankii Whippers leading the way with Dorey,Prila(aka Mrs Brown),Ann-a-Lou Greta, Delphine my adorable silkie,my twin girls Lana and Boudica (aka The Jedward Twins ) ,Augustine Eizabeth(aka Pippy), Rheima, Marnie and Fleur aka little miss chatterbox[/center] Still loving and missing Skinnie Minnie and Queenie xx Marlene you taught me how to live and laugh again xx Isabella my darling top hen ,you stole my heart xx Porscha my sweet little girl ,you left so suddenly xx Re: haven't stopped crying yet "He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men. We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals."
--Immanuel Kant
Re: haven't stopped crying yetHi , I have not posted as not a lot of room and quite a distance away . Wish I could help you , but I am sure the northern part of DTL will sort this problem out for you .
Hoping all ends well for you and chocks. Bob Re: haven't stopped crying yetHello EVERYONE
I am sooo sorry I haven't replied to all you truly lovely Down The Laners. Thank you ALL for the various advice, offers of help to rehome and some to look after them temporarily. It was all very much taken on board and appreciated greatly. I was unfortunately called away, very suddenly, to look after my sick Mum. But she is now well and here I am, back in the world of Hens v Rats!.....or NOT! The situation now? Well....while I was away a friend looked after my girls and hey presto, when I came home....not a rat in site. By the third day she couldn't bare looking at the horrible things everywhere anymore, so she decided to take an executive decision to poison them. She managed to get hold of some strong agricultural stuff. 24 hours after putting it down there were a few rats scuttling around and after 48 hours not one to be seen. Incredible. For the first time in years and years it is such a pleasure to watch those ladies scratching around and taking dust baths without the rats running around between them. I hate to kill anything at all but I have to say it was the right decision in this instance. I'm also hoping, that because the poison was so strong, the rats will have died reasonably quickly.....fingers crossed. My landlady?? Well, it turns out that actually she wanted the hens gone too, not just the rats. I think she thought that I wouldn't be able to get rid of the rats, which meant the hens had to go. Now the rats have gone, there isn't any reason she can give me for getting 'rid' of my girls. Hah!!!!! Thank you again everyone, so much. Vicki Appreciate and enjoy what you DO have!
Re: haven't stopped crying yetUnfortunately there are times when drastic action is needed. It isn't necessarily what we want to do. I had a similar problem a few years ago and had to resort to poison but it worked.
Re: haven't stopped crying yetPerhaps next time your landlady visits you could present her with a box of eggs, and write on each one the name of the hen that made it! Maybe she'll see they are pets not
just commodities. "He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men. We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals."
--Immanuel Kant
Re: haven't stopped crying yetPlease please have a look at a Grandpas Feeder - this will solve EVERYTHING It is a treadle feeder. A bird needs to be 500 grms in order for it to open, so most bantams are ok, a fat adult rat is 300 grams and will not be able to open the feeder. I promise you - this will solve everything. Tell your landlady and ask her to review it again in 3 months. The rats will not have access to your feed. It costs around £100, but it is the best £100 you will ever spend - I promise!!! Good luck.
Re: haven't stopped crying yetLots of treadle feeders on the market that could really help
This one is a much more affordable option at £29.95 http://www.ukpoultrysupplies.co.uk/prod ... &dyadid=71 I'm so pleased you are now rat free and your hens are still with you Lucy x
Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut - Ernest Hemingway
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