Me and my pellet gun, "Bessie" have now shot and killed three rats that were in residence under the chicken coop. I have fallen in love with this rifle and we are forging a great relationship. If you knew me, you would know that killing anything is hard for me...except for insects...*shiver* I hate insects. However, I knew that the health of my flock and neighborhood counted on me to man up and do what needed to be done.
Poisoning the rats was not an option I was willing to pursue. I have too many precious pets and didn't want to take any risk of second hand poisoning or the like. Besides, by poisoning the rats, they would die a horrid death. Much worse than being shot.
I sit outside the coop, with the chickens out free ranging and out of my area. If I am quiet enough, those rodents will boldly come to eat out of the feeder in broad daylight. I wait until they are swinging on the feeder and then *BAM* the job is done quickly and cleanly.
The results are happy hens that have total access to their food in peace.
