And it happened in broad daylight. Never mind that I'd taken pains to fortify the coop and run to keep my hens safe.
Something had gone very wrong. It's taken me several weeks to fix the problem. In hopes of saving you similar trouble, here's what went wrong and what I did to make things right.
RAT PARADISE
My first mistakes? Locating my large compost bins too close to my chicken run and falling down on its maintenance. I'd generally kept my compost well-watered and turned until emergency surgery took me out of commission.
So, for a month or two, food scraps accumulated on top of the pile. This created a potential draw to the chicken run for rats.
I'd also gotten lazy with my feed. Although I kept my opened bag inside a galvanized trash can, I kept additional, unopened bags on my garage floor. Had I been paying closer attention, perhaps I'd have noticed that something had gnawed holes in those bags. A small feast of pelleted food had spilled out.
ASSESSING THE PROBLEM
That I saw a rat at all was bad enough. But that I saw it during the daytime suggested this was a serious infestation. Rats aren't only vectors for disease. They'll also eat young chicks. Their presence can have a chilling effect on egg-laying, too.
Esta historia es de la edición March - April 2023 de Hobby Farms.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición March - April 2023 de Hobby Farms.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Meet Holly Callahan-Kasmala & Chrisie DiCarlo
In Maryland, best friends of 40-plus years share a passion for good food, laughter and, most of all, poultry.
HISTORIC Hogs
The Hereford breed has a bright future.
ON TRACK
Animal activity trackers, also known as pet location trackers, let you keep an eye on your pets or livestock from your phone or computer.
ELECTRIC BORDERS
Here's what you need to know before you buy a portable electric fence.
beyond TRADITION
Raise these alternative animals on your hobby farm.
Sheep HOOF CARE
The key to good sheep hoof care is keeping an eye out for problems and moving to prevent serious issues.
Santa Carota BEEF
For 35 years, the Pettit family has been upcycling waste carrots for cattle feed, challenging traditional ranching practices while producing exquisite beef.
Metabolic Disorders in Cattle
Manage these body conditions in your herd with diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Midsummer Garden
Keep those vegetables growing late into the year with these planting options and advice.
Microclimate Trouble Spots
Spend enough time gardening in one place and you can get to know it well.