Pest Control, Rats & Mice -
Protecting the Poultry Flock by
Katie Thear
Rats
Types of Rat
Brown rats, Rattus norvegicus, are major pests because they are
so numerous. Historically, they are relatively recent arrivals that
quickly displaced the indigenous Black rat.
Rat Problems
They eat and contaminate
stored feeds, kill young birds and carry disease, including salmonella
bacteria, trichinosis nematodes, toxoplasmosis protozoa and a range
of viruses. From man’s point of view, the most serious threat
is Weil’s disease. (If there is any evidence that rats have
been around, it is important to wash hands after touching any surfaces
where their saliva, urine or droppings may have been deposited. Treat
any cuts and grazes with antiseptic and keep them covered).
How Many Rats? Finding the Rats
If you see one rat, you can be certain that there is already a
colony nearby. Their average foraging distance is usually no more
than 50 metres from the nest. Having once established routes from
the nest to the food source, they will travel along the same ‘runs’ each
time they visit. This tendency makes it relatively easy to control
them.
Try to identify possible hiding places. Are there any identifiable
runs indicated by flattened areas of vegetation or soil running along
the edges of buildings or other structures? Cut down tall weeds growing
against buildings and clear areas where piles of timber or flagstones
may have been left for some time. They often conceal rat runs.
Inside outbuildings, paint a white strip along the floor perimeter
to show up the presence of droppings more easily. The spindle-shaped
droppings are quite large; up to 2cm long. Look out for evidence
of gnawing. All feeds should be stored in a rat-proof building or
in a strong container with tightly fitting lid. Dustbins, both metal
and heavy-duty plastic, are a good option for low-cost and effective
storage. Avoid leaving food lying around and if the hens are in a
moveable house and run, move the whole structure fairly frequently.
Self-operating feeders can be used where raiding rats or wild birds
are feeding at your expense. These are feeders that dispense a certain
amount of feed to the ground when the hen displaces the feeding mechanism.
This is either a lever that is moved by the beak or a pedal that
operates by the bird’s weight. In the former case, the dispenser
is too high for rodents or wild birds to reach, while in the latter
case, they are too light to displace it.
So much for the prevention of rat raids, but how does one deal with an infestation?
See Pest Control
Protecting The Poultry Flock - by Katie Thear
See Also
Article Copyright © Katie Thear 2006 |
